Kingdom of Sweden
Work Permit (Arbetstillstånd): government fee breakdown
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
A Swedish employee work-permit application costs SEK 2,200 for the principal applicant.
These are the fees paid to the Kingdom of Sweden government. Your employer does not pay these fees — they are paid by you as the applicant (though some employers reimburse them). Fees for dependants, priority services, or higher salary bands may change the total.
How much does the Work Permit (Arbetstillstånd) cost in Sweden?
A Swedish employee work-permit application costs SEK 2,200 for the principal applicant.
Verified against Swedish Migration Agency - Employees on 27 June 2026.
Headline total
SEK 2,200
Single employee applicant
Currency
SEK (Swedish krona)
Last checked
27 June 2026
Itemised fees
| Fee component | Amount | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
Employee work-permit application | SEK 2,200 | Yes |
Adult family member | SEK 1,500 | Optional |
Child family member | SEK 750 | Optional |
Worked example
Single employee applicant — SEK 2,200
- SEK 2,200 employee application fee
How to read these fees
The SEK 2,200 headline covers single employee applicant. Of the 3 components listed above, 1 is mandatory and 2 are optional add-ons (such as priority processing) you can choose to skip. The single biggest mandatory line is Employee work-permit application at SEK 2,200.
Bringing family changes the total — see the dependant section below. Treat the figure as a planning estimate rather than a quote: confirm each line on the official source linked below on the day you pay, because these fees are revised regularly.
Dependant fees
Adult family members are listed at SEK 1,500 and children at SEK 750 on the Migration Agency work-permit page.
Why fees change
The Swedish Migration Agency publishes work-permit fees on the employee route page; Japanese citizens are listed as exempt from the application fee.
Primary source
Swedish Migration Agency - Employees
https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/work/employee-or-self-employed/employees.html
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Work Permit (Arbetstillstånd) cost in government fees?
A Swedish employee work-permit application costs SEK 2,200 for the principal applicant. The worked example assumes single employee applicant, totalling SEK 2,200. Fees for dependants, priority service, or higher-tier salary bands change the total — see the itemised table above.
Are these fees refundable if my application is refused?
Most application fees are non-refundable once the government begins processing. Some jurisdictions refund specific components (e.g. Canada's Right of Permanent Residence Fee refunds if refused; UK IHS refunds if the visa is refused). Check the linked primary source for the route you are applying to.
How often do these fees change?
The Swedish Migration Agency publishes work-permit fees on the employee route page; Japanese citizens are listed as exempt from the application fee.
Do dependants pay the same fees as the primary applicant?
Adult family members are listed at SEK 1,500 and children at SEK 750 on the Migration Agency work-permit page.
Next steps
Full visa guide
Eligibility, application steps, and FAQs for the Work Permit (Arbetstillstånd).
Processing time
How long the Work Permit (Arbetstillstånd) takes from application to decision.
Compare: EU Blue Card (Sweden) fees
EU-wide highly qualified worker permit with a higher salary threshold than the standard work permit — offers intra-EU mobility after 12 months.
Compare: Self-Employment Permit (Eget företag) fees
Residence permit for foreign nationals starting or running a business in Sweden — requires sufficient funds and a viable business plan.
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.