Residence permit for non-EU/EEA citizens and asylum seekers

Non EU/EEA citizens need a residence permit

You must have a residence permit if you are a citizen of a non EU/EEA country and plan to work for a period longer than three months to start up or run your own business. You apply for a residence permit at the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). As self-employed you are not allowed to take employment with any employer. You apply at a Swedish mission abroad in your native country or the country you are living in.

The Swedish Migration Agency

Official website for Sweden's embassies and consulates

The Swedish Migrations Agency's requirements for obtaining a residence permit as a self-employed

In order to obtain a residence permit in Sweden as a self-employed, you must:

• have a valid passport
• show that you have significant experience in your field and previous experience of running your own business
• have documented knowledge in Swedish and/or English
• show that you are running the business, that you have the ultimate responsibility for it and that you own at least half of the business
• show that the business' services or goods are sold and/or produced in Sweden
• show that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and, if applicable, your family during the first two years (equivalent to SEK 200,000 for you, SEK 100,000 for your spouse and SEK 50,000 for each accompanying child)
• show a credible basis for your budget
• show that you have created customer contacts and/or a network in Sweden
• show that the business, following the two-year probationary period, is expected to be able to support you and, if applicable, your family.

In most cases you must pay a fee.

How to apply for a residence permit

You must apply for the residence permit when you are in your country of origin or another country outside Sweden in which you are living.

Apply for a residence permit at the Swedish Migration Agency