On May 22 2026 the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) announced the final occupation lists linked to the new work‑permit rules under Bill Prop. 2025/26:87 (“New rules for labor immigration”). From June 1 2026, work‑permit applicants must earn at least 90 % of the Swedish median salary at the time of application, except for the occupations and groups listed below, which are subject only to a 75 % threshold.
Occupations exempted from the 90 % threshold (effective June 1 2026)
For roughly 20 occupations the salary requirement is reduced to 75 % of the median. The list includes, among others:
- Engineers and technicians in chemistry/chemical engineering; laboratory engineers
- IT operations technicians, IT support technicians, system administrators, network and system technicians
The complete list—covering additional roles in healthcare, agriculture and forestry, food processing, skilled trades, and process operations—is published on the Migrationsverket news page: Nya regler för arbetskraftsinvandring – dessa yrken undantas.
Additional groups exempted from the 90 % threshold (effective June 11 2026)
These four categories are also limited to the 75 % salary floor:
- Former students applying for a work permit from within Sweden.
- Holders of foreign qualifications seeking Swedish licensing as a pharmacist, doctor, nurse, or dentist.
- Holders of residence permits granted with or following temporary protection, applying on the basis of employment.
- Employees of early‑stage tech or life‑sciences companies (≤ 5 years old, < 100 employees).
Occupations excluded from work‑permit eligibility
Regardless of salary or contract terms, work permits can no longer be issued for:
- Personal assistants (approximately 60 pending applications are affected).
- Berry pickers in forests – seasonal work permits remain possible under a separate route.
New employer reporting obligation
Employers must inform Migrationsverket if a sponsored employee does not commence work within four months of the permit’s start date. In work‑permit cases, data from the Swedish criminal and suspicion registers may also be disclosed to the agency.
Practical implications for employers
- Pending applications: Any case decided on or after 1 June 2026 will be assessed under the new rules, even if filed earlier. Migrationsverket reports about 2,200 open first‑time applications, of which roughly 120 fall within the newly exempted occupations. Employers should audit pending and upcoming cases against the exemption and exclusion lists and verify whether offered salaries meet the 75 % threshold where applicable.
- Personal‑assistant sponsorships: No new work permits can be granted for personal assistants. Employers with current or pipeline sponsorships should seek alternative routes or extensions where possible.
- Start‑date tracking: HR systems must capture the four‑month start‑date window to ensure timely notification to Migrationsverket and avoid compliance breaches.
The information provided is for general reference only and does not replace legal advice. Immigration regulations may change abruptly.
Source article: newlandchase.com
