The number of internationally recruited researchers at Swedish universities continues to increase, according to new statistics from the Swedish Higher Education Authority (UKÄ) (in Swedish). But there are some practical problems with recruiting postdocs and other foreign academics to Swedish universities, for example long waiting times at the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket).
Difficult for foreign researchers
Berit Olofsson, professor of organic chemistry and Dean of Chemistry, tells about the problems she has had with getting post docs to Sweden. During the spring, she has had two newly recruited researchers from India, both of whom had to wait for several months before they could enter Sweden. She says that the researchers themselves had not been able to establish personal contact with the Swedish Migration Agency, they only received general answers that they had to wait until a decision had been made. The department’s personnel administrator did not have any luck with the question either.
Slow system
Recruitment of foreign postdocs and researchers is not as common in the Human Science Academic Area. But Thomas Nordgren, administrative manager at the Department of Sociology, says that his department also has noticed some inertia in the system.
“The Swedish Migration Agency is always a real nightmare, its processing times are ridiculously long. What is most difficult for me to understand is the processing time when it comes to extending work and residence permits. With some hesitation I can accept that it takes a long time when applying for the first time, but to grant an extension should not have to take six months. They have already been tried and the handling should be smoother.”
Support from the Human Resources Office
Maria Morin is a staff specialist and works at the Human Resources Office supporting international recruitment of employees. She is also the university’s contact person for the Swedish Migration Agency. Applications for residence/work permits are made by the departments, but Maria Morin is available as a contact person for human resources managers, administrative managers and others in case you have to check something.
The types of residence permits that are relevant at Stockholm University are student residence permits (including doctoral students), residence permits for researchers (requires a post with at least 50 percent research) as well as a work permit.
Stockholm University is certified by the Swedish Migration Agency for applications for work permits, which is supposed to speed up the decision-making process. This means that Stockholm University undertakes to only submit applications that are complete (including a union opinion) and the Swedish Migration Agency undertakes to make decisions in cases within 10–20 working days.
Make sure to have plenty of time for the application
According to Maria Morin, however, the Swedish Migration Agency cannot always keep its promised processing times. Even though the processing times have been longer in the past year, she does not feel that it is more difficult to obtain a residence permit this year for those who have an employment or a scholarship. But longer processing times pose problems. An example is when a department wants someone to start working on a specific date and also wishes that the residence permit is on time.
“The difficult thing can be the timing, that is, getting the start date you want. I always try to refer to the processing times at the Swedish Migration Agency and ask the departments to take them into account.
Maria Morin also points out that when it comes to applying for an extension of a residence permit you can go on working as long as you apply before the old permit expires. In general, those who have a job are granted a residence permit during that period.
Read a more extensive version of the article in Swedish.
Useful link on international recruitment
Processing times for decisions (Swedish Migration Agency's website)
Think of:
• It is important to read about the different types of residence permits and apply for the correct one. There are three different types: residence permit for students (also includes doctoral students), residence permit for researchers (requires a post with at least 50 percent research) and work permit.
• Take your time and focus on making your application complete. If the Swedish Migration Agency has to ask for supplements, the processing time is extended considerably.
• Different rules apply depending on whether you come as a researcher or doctoral student and whether you are a citizen of the EU or not (EU citizens do not need a residence permit). A residence permit is not required if you work for less than three months, but on the other hand, citizens in some countries need a visa to travel to Sweden. Please study the Swedish Migration Agency’s website to find out what applies in your specific case.
• Remember to apply for a work or residence permit in good time. Processing times may vary. If any document or information is missing in the application, the processing time is often extended. Permits must be granted before entry into Sweden.
• Apply electronically (processing time is significantly shortened).
These tips come from a conversation with Maria Morin at the Human Resources Office and Carina Nymark, Deputy Head of Administration at the Department of Environmental Science (ACES), she has previously worked at the Swedish Migration Agency.