As of November 1, those hoping to work low-skilled labor jobs in the Nordic nation either full time or part time will have to prove that they will make 80 percent or 70 percent, respectively, of the median salary earned by those already working there.
According to Sweden's Migrationsverket, the average median salary in the country, as calculated by the national statistics bureau, is SEK 27,360, or around CAD $3,400, per month. It has been estimated that one in every four employees earns less than the requirement.
In March, it was reported that "Income requirements for labour immigrants will be raised from SEK 13,000 (€1,238) per month to SEK 26,560 (€2,534)," this per Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard. She said at the time that the move was "an important part of the paradigm shift we are implementing in the field of immigration."
In a statement, the Ministry of Justice explained that the purpose of the policy change was to "reduce low-skilled labor immigration," noting that, "in many cases it involves work that could instead be performed by people who already live in Sweden."
In 2022, more than 24,000 work permits were granted by Sweden to foreigners seeking to work in the country. Some 100,000 immigrants seeking word are anticipated for 2023.
Migration Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said she hoped it would also "reduce fraud and exploitation linked to labor immigration."
With the passing of the bill, the Aliens Act was "amended so that a labour immigrant must achieve a good income through their employment in order to be granted a work permit."
Not everyone is impacted by the new requirement, though. Those from elsewhere in the European Union, for example, do not have to worry, nor do "seasonal employees from third countries who come [to Sweden] under the seasonal employment directive."
Also discluded are "professional coaches and athletes, au pairs, trainees within the framework of international exchange or trainees with traineeships related to higher education, and researchers."
The government lists the industries that will be most affected as "service, care, sales, agriculture, gardening, forestry, berry picking, fishing, and occupations that demand a shorter education or introduction."
Those who are already in Sweden with a work permit will not be affected until they renew their stay, at which point they will have to meet the requirement.
