Citizens from all over the world are welcomed to move to Sweden, there it is no surprise that US citizens are also interested in relocating to this peaceful country. The requirements for those who want to immigrate to Sweden from the UK and the EU are different from those applicable to US and Australian citizens, who are considered third-country inhabitants.
There are several types of visas under which US citizens can relocate to Sweden, among them the most sought ones referring to employment. Below, our immigration lawyer in Sweden presents the main ways in which a US citizen can move to this country.
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There are various types of visas available for US citizens interested in immigration to Sweden, however, the easiest to obtain are the employment and business-related visas under which citizens of this country can live and work in Sweden.
A residence visa for Sweden is valid for 3 years, although it can be extended for a maximum of 5 years. You can apply for permanent residency in Sweden after holding a residence permit for 5 years. You can rely on our immigration consultants for details on the procedure of acquiring both temporary and permanent visas.
The employment permit implies a job offer and a contract provided by a Swedish company that will be used with immigrating to Sweden.
| 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 visa | YES, 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 requirements | Minimum amount is USD 100,000 (equivalent in Swedish krona) |
| Permanent residence timeframe | After 5 years of living in Sweden |
| Citizenship requirements | After 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. |
Business visas are also available for US citizens who can relocate to Sweden and start their companies in which they can be employed. Self-employment can also be considered when moving to Sweden from USA.
There is also the possibility of enrolling with a Swedish university and move here based on a student visa. Following the termination of studies, US citizens have great chances of finding employment with local companies and moving here permanently.
Our immigration lawyers can offer detailed information on all types of visas associated with immigrating to Sweden from the US and other third-party countries.
The immigration procedure when relocating to Sweden from USA will mainly depend on the relocation reason, however, the steps to be completed are usually the same. These imply:
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.
One of the easiest ways of moving to Sweden from USA is by employment. The work permit can be used for obtaining a temporary residence permit which can later be turned into a permanent residence visa and, if the US citizen wants, he or she can also apply for Swedish citizenship.
The following requirements must be met in order to obtain a Swedish work permit as a US citizen:
Generally speaking, the minimum salary that satisfies the financial support of a Swedish citizen is around 13,000 SEK (Swedish krona) or approximately 1,300 US dollars. Find more information in the infographic below:
Our immigration lawyer can offer more information on how to immigrate to Sweden from USA. We can also assist US citizens relocating here to register with the tax authority in Sweden.
Many people who immigrate to Sweden from USA choose to do that by finding employment. While English is widely spoken here, it is also useful to get acquainted with Swedish, as it will maximize one’s chances of integrating better with the local community.
Here are the main categories of workers acknowledged by the Swedish Employment Act:
An important particularity of moving for work in Sweden is that here the law makes no difference between employees and contractors. The relationship between the parties depends on the contract and the job description. Also, working based on a long-term or indefinite labor agreement and having a fixed salary is important when establishing employment conditions.
The working week in Sweden is 40 hours, just like in other countries, however, overtime can also be made. According to the law, overtime cannot exceed 50 hours per month. Another important aspect is that employees are entitled to 25 days of leave per year, out which 20 days can be taken in the summertime (months June to August). Apart from these, Sweden also has 13 national holidays that are free.
When it comes to foreign employees, there are other things to consider, among which:
Considering one can immigrate to Sweden from the USA with the family even when coming here based on employment, additional fees must be considered for dependents.
Sweden is home to many international companies, as well as businesses that operate on a smaller scale, however, self-employment is also met here. So, no matter the reason you decide to immigrate to Sweden, you can obtain detailed information on the Employment Law and regulations applicable to foreigners from our local law firm. We remind foreign citizens, no matter if they are US citizens or nationals of other non-EU countries that they need to obtain work permits before moving here.
US citizens who work for companies with branches in Sweden can take advantage of the fact that they can get detached here based on intra-company transfers. This is a good option to get to know the business environment and labor market for those who want to establish themselves in this country.
Our immigration law firm in Sweden can help foreign citizens who want to move here from USA or other countries.
Just like other countries in Europe, Sweden has enabled an investor visa for those interested in having their own businesses here. There are several requirements to meet in order to qualify as an investor in Sweden and US citizens must be aware of the following:
In terms of investment, at least 100,000 euros or the equivalent in USD is required. This is one of the cheapest ways to immigrate to Europe from USA and Sweden is one of the most appreciated countries on the Old Continent from numerous points of view.
One of the main requirements to enter Sweden under this program is to start a business and a solid plan can help entrepreneurs in this endeavor.
If you are interested in immigrating to Sweden from USA under this option, our lawyers are at your service for assistance in preparing all the necessary paperwork for quick relocation.
Not only will this option enable you to have a stable income, but it will also allow you to enjoy one of the most competitive markets in the world with access to the entire European Union, as Swedish products are very appreciated.
US citizens interested in a tranquil, yet sophisticated lifestyle will find it in Sweden. With stellar healthcare and education systems, Sweden is one of the most appreciated countries in Europe from these points of view.
For example, healthcare is free for most of the population, while mothers and children benefit from excellent care and protection. In terms of education, it is free for Swedish citizens, hence a good reason to decide to immigrate here from USA for good.
When it comes to employment conditions, these are similar to the ones in the US, as Sweden’s small economy is stable and strong. The salaries are good and match the high quality of life here.
Most foreign citizens who work in Sweden are well anchored in high-paying industries like IT, engineering, business management, science, and construction. Also, most Swedish people speak English which is an advantage for US citizens who will find it easy to communicate.
American citizens who move to Sweden must consider various aspects before the actual relocation. One of the most important related to the living costs that must match their level of income. Compared to the United States, the differences are not that big. Most of the people here rent places to live. Most of the times, 2-bedroom houses can be rented for approximately 3,000 USD in the region of Stockholm. However, outside the central area, it is possible to find lower rents that can go as low as USD 1,000.
When it comes to the best cities to live in, Sweden is very appreciated for the tranquil lifestyle of its inhabitants, which is why no matter where you choose to relocate, you will have the same benefits. Sweden is not known as a cheap country to live in, however, the conditions are excellent.
Another reason to choose to migrate to Sweden from USA is the healthcare system, which is one of the best in the world, as it is funded by the government. This ensures access to a wide variety of services based on a small co-pay from the patient.
If you are considering moving to Sweden as an American, you can obtain further details on your benefits here from our local lawyers. We can also help you register with the authorities, so that you can start enjoying living here as soon as you arrive.
If the information above convinced you to choose and move to Sweden, you can contact our immigration lawyers to start preparing for your relocation here.
There are several cities that provide excellent employment and business conditions for US citizens immigrating to Sweden and among them are:
Sweden is proof that small countries have plenty of opportunities for people with different interests.
Moving to Sweden from USA is quite simple thanks to the few requirements and the procedure which is uncomplicated. Our lawyers can guide foreign citizens from all over the world who want to establish themselves in one of the remotest places in the world.
In order to obtain citizenship, a US citizen must first obtain permanent residency. In order to obtain it, a US citizen must have lived in Sweden for at least 5 years. Then, the person can consider applying for Swedish citizenship. In order to become a Swedish citizen, one must prove he has integrated into society.
There are also cases where you can lose your citizenship in Sweden. In this sense, you can apply to keep your status. You must complete this after turning 18 but before turning 22. Our immigration lawyers in Sweden also specialize in cases like this, even if they are not as often met as requests for citizenship.
Sweden is one of the best countries in Northern Europe to move to and relocation is sought by both EU and non-EU citizens, among which there are also US citizens.
Here are some interesting statistics on immigration in Sweden:
We also invite you to watch a video on this topic:
There are several pathways to immigrate to Sweden from USA, business and employment being the most employed. Thanks to the fact visa applications are filed online, the procedure is the same for both options.
Yes, it is possible for US citizens to relocate with their families to Sweden.
After filing the documents, it can take from few months up to one year to obtain the residence permit.
You should make sure you have all documents in place in order to avoid the Swedish authorities asking for more papers in order to delay your relocation date. Our lawyers can help in this regard.
For assistance in moving to Sweden from USA, do not hesitate to contact our immigration lawyers. We can handle the entire process for those who want to move to Sweden.
