Apply for a work permit

Most people applying for a work permit should use the Swedish Migration Board website and apply online.

If you are applying online, are granted a permit and do not need a visa to enter Sweden, you do not normally have to visit the embassy. Regardless of how you apply, your work permit must have been granted before you leave for Sweden.

Applying online

1. Prepare your documentation
Check which documents and personal data you need. The Swedish Migration Board gives priority to applications that are completed in full, and you get a decision sooner.

Read more under Required documents and on the Swedish Migration Board website: Instructions on the Swedish Migration Board website

NB! Read this information about passport checks

2. Applying
Follow the Swedish Migration Board’s instructions. You attach documents electronically and pay the application fee using a VISA card or a MasterCard. Family members use the same online application if they apply at the same time as you.

The online application goes directly to the Swedish Migration Board for processing and a decision.

3. Waiting for a decision
When the Swedish Migration Board has reached its decision, you will be informed of this by email. The actual decision will be given to you when you visit the embassy. Bring your passport when collecting your decision. Your employer or contractor will be informed of the decision by post.

4. Acquiring a residence permit card
If you are granted a permit for more than three months, you will be issued a residence permit card.

If you need a visa to enter Sweden
Visit the embassy to be photographed and fingerprinted for the card. You can do so either while waiting for a decision or after you have been granted a work permit. Bring the same passport with you as the one you used when applying for a work permit.

You can find the embassy’s address under Contact.

It can take up to four weeks for the residence permit card to be prepared and delivered to the embassy.

If you do not require a visa to enter Sweden
If you are granted a permit for more than three months and do not need a visa, you travel to Sweden and arrange for the card there. Contact the Swedish Migration Board for photographing and fingerprinting.


Applying on a paper form

If you cannot or do not want to apply online, you apply on a paper form that you submit to the embassy.

1. Prepare the documentation
Check which documents and personal data you need. The Swedish Migration Board gives priority to applications that are completed in full, and you get a decision sooner.

Read more under Required documents and on the Swedish Migration Board website: Instructions on the Swedish Migration Board website

2. Pay the application fee
The Embassy does not accept cash payments. All application fees shall be paid at: Zenith Bank account No: 1130018871

You must always pay the fee before your visit to the Embassy. 

Read more under Fees.

3. Present an application at the embassy
Bring the completed application form with you, together with all the required documents and a receipt for the fee payment.

Visa and residence permit applications are received by appointment only. Bookings are handled by e-mail: migration.abuja@gov.se

You can find the embassy’s address under Contact.

The embassy sends your documents to the Migration Board in Sweden.

4. Wait for a decision
The Swedish Migration Board informs the embassy of its decision. The embassy then contacts you. At the same time, your employer or contractor will be informed of the decision.

5. Arrange for a residence permit card
If you are granted a permit for more than three months, you will receive a residence permit card. You arrange for the card in the same way as described above under ‘Applying online’.