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Moving to Sweden from the USA

Moving to Sweden from the USA

If you have decided to move to Sweden from the USA, you can rely on our local specialists for support. We tailor our immigration services to the reason for relocation.

 Quick Facts 
 Visa requirements for US nationals

NO, for short-term visits of less than 90 days

Special conditions applicable (YES/NO)

 

Visitor visas must be obtained for stays of more than 3 months

Relocation options

Business and employment are the simplest ways of moving to
Sweden from USA
Permanent residence requirments

Living in Sweden sufficiently, leading a quiet life, knowing the country’s culture

Access to investor/citizenship by investment visaYES, it is possible to move to Sweden from USA based on investment
Timeframe for obtaining a residence permit (approx.)

Approx. 4 weeks

Family reunification visa availability (YES/NO)

YES, American citizens can obtain family reunion visas for Sweden

Investment visa requirementsMinimum amount is USD 100,000 (equivalent in Swedish krona)
Permanent residence timeframeAfter 5 years of living in Sweden
Citizenship requirementsAfter 10 years of living here
Possibility to acquire real estate (YES/NO)YES, there are no restrictions on real estate purchases
Sweden-USA double tax treaty (YES/NO)YES
Immigration services (YES/NO)YES, our immigration lawyer in Sweden is at the service of American citizens seeking to relocate here
Post-immigration support (YES/NO)YES, guidance in registering with the local authorities, support in applying for residency renewal and/or citizenship
Temporary residence permits 

– Residence permit for work;

– Residence permit for studying;

– Residence permit for marriage;

– Residence permit by investment. 

Official language 

Swedish

Currency  

Swedish krona 

Cost of Living Living in Sweden comes at a cost of $1436, making it 1.41 times pricier than the global average. 
 Work opportunities 

The Swedish Public Employment Service provides assistance to job seekers with information and support. You can get this service if you are immigrating to Sweden from USA. 

Work visa requirements  

Required for the visa: Valid passport, job offer meeting Swedish collective agreement standards, minimum monthly salary of 13,000 SEK (pre-tax), employment terms include health and life insurance, social security, proof of accommodation, and a commitment to leave post-contract. 

Education system  

The fundamental principle of the Swedish education system is to provide education without regard to social status, ethnicity, religious beliefs, or gender. You do not need to worry about the education quality if you are moving to Sweden from USA. 

 Bank account availability (yes/no) 

Yes. 

Insurance  

To access Sweden’s healthcare system, expatriates must initially register as residents in Sweden. 

Living cost  Single-person estimated monthly costs can be 27,055 kr.  
 Residence permits 

If you are relocating to Sweden from USA for more than 90 days, please obtain a residence permit before entering the country. 

Taxes 

Income tax rates in Sweden are as follows:

– Up to kr372,100: 0.00%;

– From kr372,100 to kr532,700: 20.00%;

– Above kr532,700: 25.00%. 

Language requirements 

Yes, if you are applying for citizenship here. 

Registration requirements for EU citizens 

Register with the Swedish Migration Agency within the first three months of your arrival. 

Residency options  Study, work, family reunion, etc. 

Do I need an entry visa when moving from the USA to Sweden?

No, there is no need for an entry visa if your stay does not surpass 90 days.

Are there any difficulties I should be aware of if I want to migrate to Sweden from the USA?

You should make sure you have all documents in place in order to avoid the Swedish authorities asking for more papers, which can delay your relocation date. Our lawyers can help in this regard.

What are the main options I have when relocating to Sweden from the USA?

Here are some options:

  1. employment: you must obtain a work visa first, which will be tied to a work agreement with a Swedish company;
  2. family reunification: you can obtain a visa for relocating with a family member who already lives here legally;
  3. self-employment/entrepreneurship: if you are a businessperson, you can immigrate to Sweden from the USA and start your own business here;
  4. studentship: this is another option you have, if you are accepted by a Swedish educational facility.

What are the steps for immigrating to Sweden from the USA?

The immigration procedure when relocating to Sweden from the USA will mainly depend on the relocation reason; however, the steps to be completed are usually the same. These imply:

  1. obtain an employment contract or enrol with a Swedish company, respectively, an accredited university;
  2. get in touch with the Swedish Embassy or one of the consular offices in the United States;
  3. file the documents in accordance with your immigration reason with the Swedish authorities;
  4. find a property to rent or even purchase in a Swedish city and relocate here;
  5. set up a bank account and register with the tax and social security authorities in Sweden.

Our immigration lawyer in Sweden can explain in detail the steps for moving to this country from the USA. We can also offer various tips on the easiest ways of finding housing in Stockholm or other important cities in the country.

Find more information in the infographic below:

What are the required documents if I immigrate to Sweden from the United States?

You need to prepare:

  • the standard application form;
  • your valid passport;
  • a health insurance;
  • proof of accommodation;
  • proof of self-sustenance for the duration of stay or until you start earning money here.

Where do I file the paperwork for moving to Sweden from the US?

You can choose to apply with the Swedish Embassy in Washington, D.C., or one of the Consulates in Houston, New York, or San Francisco.

What is the simplest way to immigrate to Sweden from the USA?

Employment and self-employment are some of the most common.

How can I relocate to Sweden from the US as an employee?

The following requirements must be met in order to obtain a Swedish work permit as a US citizen:

  • a valid passport is required at the time of the application for the employment pass;
  • the work contract must correspond to the Swedish Labor Code and must contain specific provisions in accordance with the industry the US citizen will work in;
  • the salary of the employee must enable him or her to financially support him/herself;
  • the employer must provide health, life, pension and employment insurance.

Our immigration lawyer can offer more information on how to immigrate to Sweden from the USA. We can also assist US citizens relocating here to register with the tax authority in Sweden.

How long must I live in Sweden to obtain permanent residency?

You must live here for a minimum period of 5 years.

Note: A temporary residence permit has a lesser validity period, and this is the first type of immigration document you will be issued. We advise relying on our Swedish immigration lawyers for its correct renewal.

We also invite you to watch a video on this topic:

YouTube video player

How do I get citizenship in Sweden as a US citizen?

In order to obtain citizenship, you must first obtain permanent residency. In order to obtain it, you must have lived in Sweden for at least 5 years. Then, you can consider applying for Swedish citizenship. In order to become a Swedish citizen, you must prove he has integrated into society.

For assistance in moving to Sweden from the USA, do not hesitate to contact our immigration lawyers. We can handle the entire process for those who want to move to Sweden.