Sweden to relax work permit requirements?
28 March 2008
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The Swedish newspaper The Local is reporting that new rules announced by immigration authorities in Sweden could aid employers in their search to hire badly needed labor from overseas.
Under a proposal announced by Swedish Migration Minister Tobias Billstrom and fellow Green Party leader Mikaela Valtersson at a recent news conference, employers would be able to hire non-European Union foreign labor without much of the hassle involved now.
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Currently, Swedish employers must have a labor market assessment performed by local government authorities before a residence and work permit can be granted to a non-EU citizen. The requirement is to evaluate whether a Swedish or EU citizen could not be found to fill the job. Under the new proposed rules, employers would be able to skip this step.
In addition, residence and work permits could be issued for a maximum of two years and would be renewable. Currently, the maximum possible validity of a work permit is 18 months. A foreigner already in Sweden and offered employment would not be required to leave the country before applying for a work and residence permit, as well.
Billstrom said the changes were needed to help alleviate the effects of an aging population and existing and future skills shortages.