Sweden has made agreements with a number of countries about working holiday visas for young people between the ages of 18 to 30. The agreement gives young people the opportunity to live in Sweden for up to one year (365 days) for a working holiday. With a working holiday visa, the youth can explore the life and culture of Sweden and work at the same time to finance their holiday.
Note: The working holiday visa program between Sweden and Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay has been suspended due to the ongoing pandemic.
Who Is Eligible for a Working Holiday Visa in Sweden?
Countries eligible for a working holiday visa in Sweden are:
- Australia
- Chile
- Hong Kong
- Canada
- Japan
- New Zealand
- South Korea
- Uruguay
Note: People who want to apply for a Working Holiday visa in Sweden should also apply for a residence permit before arriving in Sweden. You cannot enter the country before obtaining your permit, but you can look for a job after entering Sweden.
Requirements for a Swedish Working Holiday Visa
The documents required for a Swedish working holiday visa are:
- Copy of passport pages. Passport must be not older than ten years and valid after your visa expires.
- Proof of paid fee. The receipt that you paid the required visa fee.
- A returning flight ticket. This shows that you will be returning to your home country.
- Means of subsistence. A bank statement of your income to prove you can support yourself during your stay in Sweden.
- Insurance policy. Proof of purchases travel and health insurance for during your stay in Sweden.
How to Apply for the Swedish Working Holiday Visa?
Here is how you can apply for a Swedish working holiday visa.
- Online
- At the embassy
Online Application
For online application, you should visit the website of the Swedish Migration Agency and log into the account. If you do not have an account, you must open one. Fill in the required information and submit the application.
For an online application, you need to submit:
- Copies of your passport pages (the pages must show your personal data, photo, signature, passport number, etc.)
- A bank statement proving you can support yourself while you are staying in Sweden.
- A copy of a return ticket or documents proving you have enough income to buy a returning ticket.
- Health insurance that is valid in Sweden (not applicable for citizens of Australia).
Embassy or consulate-general Application
If it is not possible to apply online, you can fill in the application form for a working holiday visa and submit it to a Swedish embassy or consulate-general in your home country.
You should pay the application fee after submitting the application. Applicants can check if their application has been registered with the Swedish Migration Agency or if they received a decision on the visa application online at the Migration Agency website.
»Read more on how to apply for Sweden visa.
How Much Does the Working Holiday Visa for Sweden Cost?
When applying for a Sweden working holiday visa, you will be required to pay a fee of 140€. The fee you pay will not be refunded if your application is refused.
Conditions of a Working Holiday Visa in Sweden
These are the conditions to obtain a Working Holiday visa in Sweden:
- You must be a citizen of one of the countries with a working holiday agreement (Australia, Chile, Hong Kong, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, or Uruguay).
- You must be between the ages of 18 and 30
- You must have a valid passport (if the validity of your passport is about to expire, you should extend it).
- You must have enough at least 1400€ to support yourself financially while staying in Sweden.
- You must have a returning ticket or enough income to afford a return ticket.
- You must have health insurance that covers Swedish healthcare (not mandatory for Australia).
- You must pay the application fee.
- You must not take any children with you.
How Long Is the Visa Valid?
A working holiday visa allows you to stay in Sweden for up to one year. You will also get a residence permit with the same validity.
Can I Extend a Swedish Working Holiday Visa?
No, you cannot extend a Swedish working holiday visa. Sweden does not allow the extension of a permit for a working holiday. It is also not possible to apply for a different permit while in Sweden when your working holiday permit is about to expire.
What if My Application is Rejected?
If the Swedish Migration Agency rejects your working holiday visa application, it means that you will not get a residence permit. You can also appeal the decision within three weeks of receiving your decision. The decision email will give you information on how to write an appeal. If you have given someone power of attorney, that person can write the appeal on your behalf.
»Read more about Sweden long visa types.