IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Foreign nationals applying for work permits, residence permits, visitor’s visas or other immigration services may experience significant delays as Swedish authorities devote increased resources toward helping thousands of asylum seekers.

What does the change mean? Employers should leave ample time when submitting applications and should take steps to eliminate unnecessary delays by ensuring that applications and supporting documentation are complete.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: Work permits, residence permits, visitor’s visas and other immigration-related services.
  • Who is affected: Employers and foreign nationals seeking work permits, residence permits, visitor’s visas or other immigration-related services.
  • Impact on processing times: Processing times have been significantly delayed. First-time work permit applications, for example, are taking about 20 business days to process. Extensions are taking about 30 business days. Residence permits for dependents and spouses moving to Sweden may require more than a year.
  • Business impact: Employers may need to adjust timelines and start dates because of the delays.
  • Next steps: Processing times may change on short notice. BAL will continue to monitor the fluctuations.

Background: Europe is experiencing a refugee crisis of a magnitude that has not been seen since World War II—and Sweden is one of the top destinations for asylum seekers. Immigration authorities recently announced they would be reallocating resources toward helping process thousands of asylum cases, increasing lead times that are needed for work permit applications or other more routine immigration services. Work permit applications will be handled in the order in which they are received. Immigration authorities will not approve requests for priority processing.

BAL Analysis: If possible, employers should initiate cases three to four months before an employee’s expected start date. It is also important that applications and supporting documentation be complete in order to avoid unnecessary delays. It may be best to avoid short-term assignments, and employers should make sure they have completed any required negotiations with labor unions ahead of time.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Sweden. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright ©2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Saudi Arabia has lifted a ban on Swedish business travelers.

What does the change mean? Swedish nationals can once again apply for business and work visas to Saudi Arabia.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: Business and work visas.
  • Who is affected: Swedish nationals applying for business and work visas.
  • Business impact: Businesses are again able to obtain business and work visas for Swedish personnel.

Background: In the midst of a diplomatic dispute, Saudi Arabia suspended issuance of business and work visas to Swedish nationals in March. The move came after Sweden ended a defense agreement with the Kingdom. Riyadh responded by recalling its ambassador and instituting the travel ban. The ban was recently lifted.

BAL Analysis: The change is good news for companies employing Swedish personnel. Swedish nationals are eligible to apply for and obtain business and work visas immediately.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Saudi Arabia. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

BAL has received additional details about the new registration requirement set to go into effect on July 1. The requirement applies to all employees who are not on a local contract and who began work in the past five years. It also includes all business trips longer than five days. If any information reported during registration should change, the specific change(s) must be reported within three days. This includes details about the location where the work will be performed.

There will be stiff penalties and fines for non-compliance. Please note that the Work Environment Authority call center cannot answer questions on whether individual cases require registration, since details of tax and social security status play a role. BAL will assist clients in registering their employees as soon as possible. Please contact BAL with questions about how to comply with the new requirement.

Over the next few days, the Swedish government is expected to release additional details, which BAL will provide as they become available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Sweden. For more information, please contact GlobalVisaGroup@bal.com.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.