Remember your first day on the job? Fun, confusing, nerve wrecking and being really tired at the end of the day? Imagine doing that in a new country that you’ve just moved to, with a language that is like Double Dutch and a tonne of uncertainty about how working and living in this foreign place will be. Greeting cross border employees really is an entirely different game!

Things don’t always go according to plan. When an assignment for any reason is ended before the expiration date of the work permit there are some things that come into play for the immigration perspective. In the first two year period the work permit is tied to the place of work and the role (if you are promoted in that time) changes are necessary. If you find yourself out of a job you may stay in Sweden for 90 days to try and find a new position. The new employer must file a new work permit application in order to stay compliant.

In Sweden we have a fairly limited view of what is the family member of a relocating employee. While it’s customary in many places globally to have a mother or an in-law living with you as part of the family, that isn’t considered a family relation in Sweden. While Swedes frequently co-habitat and even have children together without marrying we are more generous than other destinations that will not allow unmarried partners to move as a dependent, but the burden of proof is there and a fair amount of documentation is required. I spoke to someone last spring and he told me that he wanted his long term girlfriend to come along and going through the options he called me the next day and said “you can open up the champagne, we are getting married”. We have married many people with the help of the migration board which is the silver lining of our job as immigration experts.

Currently the world is moving so quickly through the process of the new technology revolution where businesses, and people can get products and answers at record speeds. Technology has changed how we live our daily lives, but it hasn’t left us to where we have forgotten our origins. We often fail to realize how the world got to be so diversified in the first place, and that has been through that of Global mobility. Global mobility has transformed our world and continues to do so. Today, we will go over a quick history of Global mobility and how it has changed the world and continues to do so. Let’s get started!

To Strengthen European Immigration, European Union Proposes New Blue Card Directive

On July 20th, 2016 major changes are coming to the Swedish Migration Law that would greatly impact EU Immigration. The changes would last for three years and, if the results are favorable, would be permanent thereafter. At its core, the Swedish Migration Law targets those who wish to come to Sweden in order to seek asylum. However, the migration limits it places in the interim could spell trouble for those hoping to migrate to the country for other reasons, as well.

Located between Norway and Finland, Sweden is a land full of opportunities and an excellent place to do business. No wonder more and more international corporations are expanding to this European country.

The visa waiver deal between Turkey and the European Union has been a skittish one. In March 2016, European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncer and Erdogan came to an agreement that Turkey would accept undocumented immigrants’ return to Turkish soil provided that the need for short-term Schengen zone visas was ended. At the end of May, Turkish foreign minister, Cavusoglue stated that if EU visa free travel in the zone was not handed over, Turkey would be forced to renege on its agreement. For the moment, citizens can only be enrolled in the visa waiver program if all 72 requirements are met. Turkey’s refugee deal has pushed European officials into rushed action to liberalize EU visa usage.

Tech startups in Sweden often publicly complain about the lengthy immigration processes when sourcing talent outside of Europe. It hinders their growth and they think it extremely unfair that they cannot fast track their applications.

If you're looking to relocate your workforce to business there are steps you need to take to ensure your employees successfully obtain their visa and residence permit cards. At the same time, there are mistakes that can be easily avoided if you know about them beforehand. Listed below are steps you need to take, as an employer, to ensure your employees' journey to Sweden is unhindered.