Work Visa and EU Blue Card

Application and job search

Welcome back. Your at Step 2 now.

R

Step 1: Check your eligibility

h

Step 2: Attend the workshop and apply for jobs

Step 3: Pass the interviews and get a job offer

Step 4: Apply for your visa

Step 2. Workshop registration

Match with companies, apply for jobs, prepare for interviews

Admin Fee: Eur 39 (all inclusive)

The workshop has a fixed admin processing fee of Eur 39.

This admin fee covers application processing cost for job agencies and visa support.

This includes all the content, meetings and support for 3 months.
There are NO other costs or fees.

Employers usually cover the cost of visa applications.
Visa fees vary depending on the Swedish Embassy’s location (around Euro 90). Visa fees are always paid by directly to the Swedish Embassy.

Why is the workshop important?

This is the official process developed in partnership with employers and agencies for matching international professionals with companies.

These workshops are to ensure applicants are verified, qualified, matched with the right employers and jobs and have a proper introduction to employers.

Employers prefer job seekers that have been verified and referred by their trusted network of contacts like existing employees and agencies.

The workshop also includes practice for in-person interviews and psychometric test used by employers, so candidates maximize their chance of success at the job interview.

We also ensure that your work permit application is accurate and error free before submission, as small mistakes can lead to long delays or even rejection.

Each workshop is a 1 on 1 personal online video meeting on Google Meet with a recruiter in Sweden that is a specialist in the job role  you would like to work in.

Get 3 Months of job search support

Finding a job can be hard work.

As you go through the Blue Card application process, our recruiters are here to help you over 3 months every step of they way, in your move to Sweden.

 

 

Workshop meeting contents:

1. CV and Cover Letter Presentation and Documents

  • Reviewing qualifications and certifications
  • CV review, writing and formatting it for Swedish employers and application systems
  • Cover letter review and writing. A cover letter is important when applying in Sweden, it gives context to your CV and must also communicate your personal background to the employer
  • Certificates may be required by some employers, so we make sure you have all the appropriate documents

2. Elevator Pitch for Screening Calls

  • Screening calls are usually used by employers to filter candidates from the large number of  applications received. Screening calls usually last 10-15 mins and its your change to make a good first impression
  • You need to be able to communicate your experience, skills and why you would be a good fit for the company in the short time available
  • Get help with preparing your elevator pitch for Swedish employers to succeed in the initial screening stage
  • Practice your pitch with the recruiter till you have it right

3. Explore career options

  • Discuss your search with the recruiter and get ideas on alternative job roles that are in demand and the type of companies you can apply to
  • Job title matching, selecting job titles and variations that match your skill profile

4. Company Research

  • Company search and matching. Identifying corporates, startups, consulting firms, NGO’s and other organizations that match your profile
  • Meet companies in other industries like Gaming, Tech, Automotive, Aerospace etc that have a high demand for talent

5. Job Search

  • Job search and matching. Searching internal database, contact networks and agency data bases to find the perfect match
  • Get job databases specific to your job search and where companies publish them
  • Extend your search to 15-20 key databases out of LinkedIn where companies publish jobs
  • Get weekly updates on new jobs posted

6. Applications with recommendations

  • Employer recommendations. Most jobs in Sweden are filled through referrals through a network of trusted contacts. This is usually an employee that is working for the company or a recruiter.
  • Applications with a Swedish recommendation are usually more trusted due to the large amount of spam and fake profiles online
  • We support your application with by providing recommendations for you to employers after we have verified your CV and experience

7. Networking with Employers

  • Networking events hosted by companies – join online or in person. Meet other professionals and expand your network
  • Meet employer contacts and introduced at our events, online and in person

8. Interview Questions Prep

  • Interview preparation – do a mock interview and practice answering questions
  • Know what questions to expect
  • Know what answers are expected and the correct information to include
  • Learn how to structure your response efficiently. All interviews have limited time, so you must be able to communicate your experience and skills clearly
  • Practice test preparation for SHL, PICA, Cubiks, Saville, Matrigma test given by employers

9. Scheduling Interviews

  • Scheduling interviews with company HR and agency recruiters
  • Get help with booking interview times

10. Offer or Salary and Benefit Negotiations

  • Salary and benefits calculation based on your experience and job title. It is important to know your estimated salary before you do attend an interview
  • Learn the rules and your compensation for overtime, weekend pay, holiday pay etc
  • Learn how to structure your benefits package and the options available depending on the company you apply for
  • Learn what should be included and what should be excluded in your employment contract

11. Work Permit Application Assistance

  • Work permit documentation preparation and application support
  • Make sure that all paperwork is filled out correctly. Small mistakes can cause unnecessary delays

12. Relocation Assistance

  • Finding accommodation can be a difficult task if you are unfamiliar with the city. Get help with finding places to stay.
  • Relocation and arrival support is also given to make sure you have smooth start in moving to Sweden. This includes shipping belongings, finding schools and getting oriented to living in Sweden

Next step: Book a meeting time

All bookings are done via Stripe or Eventbrite.

1. Click the button below to complete your booking.

2. Once you have completed your booking, you will get a confirmation via email directly from Stripe. 

3.  A recruiter from our Stockholm office will be in touch to schedule a meeting time.

4. All meetings are done on Google Meet.  Each meeting session is private and held individually, 1-on-1. 

Support Organisations

Migrationsverket, the Swedish Migration Agency, is responsible for work permits, residence permits and citizenship applications.

Arbetsförmedlingen is the Swedish Public Employment Service is responsible for employment and labour market policies.

Jobbsprånget (‘job leap’) is a fast track to employment for newly arrived migrants, connecting talent with over 400 employers.

The Swedish Institute works to increase the world’s interest and trust in Sweden, which in turn helps companies to conduct trade, attract international talent.

Academicum
Korta vägen is a program to help foreign graduates establish themselves professionally as soon as the arrive in Sweden.

Invest Stockholm is the official investment promotion agency of Stockholm, widely recognized as one of the most innovative regions in the world.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences offers a fast track to employment for newly arrived migrants who have a degree.

Sweden.se works with promoting Sweden, cooperation in the Baltic Sea region and global development.

JustArrived helps new arrivals in Sweden with getting their first job and gaining work experience.

Diversity Charter Sweden is a springboard for companies that want to increase their competitiveness with the help of workplace diversity.

The European Labour Authority ensures that EU rules on labour mobility and social security are enforced in a fair and effective way.

The European cooperation network of employment services is designed to facilitate the free movement of workers in the EU.

Connect Sverige is an initiative that helps companies grow by matching them with skills, contacts and capital.

The Research Institute collaborates with industry, academia and the public sector for the international competitiveness of Swedish business.

Switch to Sweden is all about learning, connecting, and finding international talent for companies in Sweden.

Microsoft Reactor helps talent learn and connect with local peers and build careers through industry engagement.

Document Processing Partners

TrustID provides Identity document validation technology (IDVT) from a certified IDSP.

Xref provides people focused feedback on performance that is ISO27001 certified and GPDR compliant.

CIFAS is an information verifiation service representing organisations from across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

IDnow offers automated and expert-assisted identity verification and document signing.

Trulioo captures, analyzes and authenticates ID documents in real-time with regulatory compliance.

Complygate provides a background check service for analysis, identity and credential management.

Assessment and Testing Partners

Assessio provides MAP tests and Five Factor Model of personality for data-driven insights about cadidates.

Matrigma measures cognitive ability using non-verbal logical problems such as problem solving, logical reasoning and information analysis.

The Alva Labs Logic Test is a 40-minute, reasoning test based on matrices, to assess the ability to recognize patterns, draw conclusions and analyze complex visual data.

AssessmentDay provides realistic practice psychometric reasoning tests to prepare candidates for interviews.

Aptitude test provides online psychometric tool for Numerical, Verbal, Non-verbal, Personality,  Cubiks, Predictive Index, Revelian  tests.

Truity provides tools for tests including Myers Briggs, Enneagram, Personality and DISC.

TestGorilla tests for  cognitive ability, programming skills, software skills, personality and language capability.

Test The Talent provides tools for SHL, Predictive Index, Cubiks, Saville, Matrigma, verbal comprehension, numerical skills and logical/abstract thinking tests.

TestDome uses work-sample tests and questions in order to evaluate job skills.

Cubiks helps organizations to better understand their people and predict performance.

Refapp assists recruiters in making efficient, professional and secure reference checking on every candidate. 

Master develop, deliver, implement and support a complete suite of online HR tools.

Refensa is a digital and automated solution for reference checks.

Frequently asked questions

About moving to Sweden

Why move to Sweden

Sweden is well known for its quality of life, safety, stability and innovation and home to the world’s largest brands like Spotify, Ericsson, Ikea, Volvo, SAAB and tech companies in music, fin-tech and gaming.

Do I need to speak Swedish in order to live in Sweden?

Sweden has a vibrant international community. Most Swedes speak excellent English.

Will I get help finding accommodation and relocating?

Yes, most large employers will offer relocation support or will have an agency that help you find accommodation and settle in.

Can I move with my family?

Family members will also get permits to live and work in Sweden for the same length of time as you.

About work permit and EU Blue Card

How to apply for a Swedish work visa?

A work visa entitles you to work in Sweden and eventually apply for permanent residency. In order to get a Swedish work permit you must have a job offer letter from a company in Sweden. EnglishJobs.se works with employers to help with processing the paperwork and relocation for employees to Sweden.

How to apply for an EU Blue Card in Sweden?

You are eligible when you are a non-EU citizen, and you have completed tertiary education ie. a degree  and/or you have three years or more professional experience in the profession related to your profile. You must also have a job offer from a Swedish company an fulfill certain critera depending on the job you are applying for. Get in touch with us via the evaluation form above.

Whats the difference between a work permit and an EU Blue Card?

A Swedish work permit is valid for work in Sweden only, counts towards your permanent residency application in Sweden and is processed within 10 days if the application is submitted by a company that is certified with the Migration Agency.

An EU Blue Card allows you to work and live in other EU countries as well. Many EU countries have Blue Card permits it can in some cases be easier to move if you have one. Some EU countries will also count the time you have held a Blue Card in Sweden when reviewing an application for permanent residence. An EU blue card application is generally processed within 2-3 weeks, but the Migration Agency has up to 90 days to process it.

What is the guarantee I will get a visa?

You should get a visa if you meet all the requirements and your application is error free. Visas are issued by the Swedish embassy.

Can I work remotely while my visa application is being processed?

Yes, that is possible, some companies are open to working remotely.

How long does it take to get a visa?

10 days for companies that are registered with the Swedish migration agency’s (Migrationsverket) fast track program. For other companies it may take take 2-3 weeks depending on your local embassy.

What is the visa cost? Does the employer pay?

The visa cost is set by the embassy. It varies from Euro 80 to Euro 200. Please check with your local embassy. Some employers will pay for your visa and travel costs.

About applying for jobs in Sweden

Are there jobs available in English?

Yes, of course. Sweden is an export oriented economy, with exports over $240 billion each year. Large companies working in international markets often have English as their main working language. Sweden is also home to many global companies like IBM, P&G, Accenture, McKinsey, BOSCH, Astra Zenica.

What type of jobs are available?

Sweden has one of Europe’s strongest economies. There are jobs available across all industries such as Technology, Media, Entertainment, Finance, Healthcare, Retail, Telecom, Hospitality, Logistics, Manufacturing, Engineering and Non-Profit sectors.

Jobs available vary from senior positions in management, tech and engineering to entry level jobs in sales, admin and customer service. Please view the jobs section on our website.

How do I apply for jobs in Sweden?

Most jobs in Sweden a usually filled via recommendations from agencies or a contact network. You can apply for jobs directly on company websites, LinkedIn or Indeed.

How long does it take to get a job in Sweden?

It usually takes 3-6 weeks in total after you apply. It takes 1-2 weeks for the selection decision, 1-2 weeks to do interviews and 1-2 weeks to get a decision and offer letter. Typically, there are 3 interview meetings. 1st with a colleague, 2nd with a manager and 3rd with HR.

How does EnglishJobs.se help me get a job?

Since 2010, we have been recruiting international talent for Swedish companies and have built a large network of industry contacts. We help you apply via our network of contacts.

How is it different from applying directly ?

Most employers prefer job seekers that have been verified and recommended via their trusted network of contacts like employees or agencies. Over 70% of jobs are filled in this way.

Why is networking and being recommended by a contact so important to find a job?

This is due to the large number of spam CVs, fake profiles, fake applications, spam from marketing companies and outsourcing companies.

Why do I need to do the workshop?

The workshop process and contents has been created in partnership with job agencies and companies to ensure that all job applicants are verified, qualified and competencies and skills are matched with the right companies. The process also ensures that job seekers connect with the right decision makers and follow the correct application process.

How is the workshop meeting done?

This workshop is a personal 1 on 1 online video meeting with a recruiter from Sweden over Google Meet or Microsoft Teams.

What is covered in the workshop meeting?

Document verification, CV and cover letter review, Job title strategy, Salary and benefits calculations, Company search, Job search, Employer contacts and referrals, Job applications, Scheduling interviews.

What is the workshop cost?

The workshop has a fixed admin processing fee of Euro 49. This includes all the content and meetings. There are NO other costs. There is NO commission on salaries. There are NO other admin fees.

Do you arrange interviews?

Yes we do. We put your CV forward to companies that match your profile and arrange an interview.

What is the guarantee I will get a job?

Our job is to connect you with companies, help with applications, recommend you to employers and arrange interviews.

Your chances of success are high if you follow the right application process. Avoid common mistakes made by international job seekers and errors in your application. The workshop ensures that your CV and cover letter is formatted for Swedish employers, you are applying to the right companies that your application is supported by a recommendation from a contact.

After you apply, there are usually 1 screening call and 3 interviews held including personality and behavioral questions, industry knowledge questions. You need to be well prepared for the interviews by practicing it beforehand.

However, how you perform in the interview is up to you. If you pass the interview, you get the job. 

What jobs does EnglishJobs.se guarantee?

We guarantee that the jobs you apply to are verified, trusted, progressive companies that support sustainable environmental policies. We work with the top 600 companies in Sweden. We make sure that contracts offered and terms are in line with Trade Union Collective Agreements. This means increased safety and clear conditions about salary, work environment, insurance and pension.

How much will I get paid as salary?

This depends on your job title and experience. Salaries usually starting around Eur 3000 per month + benefits + overtime pay.

What are the benefits of working in a Swedish company?

Swedish companies value work-life balance. Sweden is known for its generous social security system, high quality free healthcare and free education for kids. Companies benefits may include laptop, phone, travel allowance, gym memberships, company events, free meals, flexi hours, flexi holidays, work from home, relocation allowance etc. Health benefits include health insurance, sick pay and wellness activities. Professional benefits include sponsored employee training, professional certifications and language lessons.