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Is it possible for an American to work in Sweden?

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toper3
  1/13/2010 05:21 EST

I read that is was quite difficult for a work permit to be granted to a US citizen as ALL other EU countries have prioirty. But IS IT POSSIBLE for me to obtain work in Sweden(IS IT POSSIBLE to work for a short time w/o a work permit?)

DPC5
  8/4/2011 20:28 EST

I am a 29yr old American wanting to relocate to Sweden. I too have read ALOT of stuff about having to have a permit before entering. I am willing to go through whatever I have too but my worry is how is the work situation there like? especially a foreigner? I am an engineering mechanic at a large hospital so I do have skills

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Expat0tony
  4/9/2010 18:30 EST

Hello toper, first let me help clarify that a US citizen does not need any work-permit BEFORE entering Sweden, we can enter for 90 days without any visa, or we can apply for the schengen visa (with proof of 3 months medical insurance within one week of arrival) then we have 90 days to obtain a job offer (and I think there are loopholes on extensions that you would learn locally once there), or leave the 'schengen states' for 180 days, come back and try again. - and a US citizen only needs a one-way airline ticket to enter (does not need to show rount-trip) 'because' they have the option to apply for the visa.
However, I have a similar problem that I hope we (& others) can all brainstorm together. I am coming to Europe very soon and I do not want to have to leave ever. So I also need specific information on how one obtains a work-permit without a Masters Degree or a ton of money. I KNOW that so, so many illiterate immigrants from everywhere are coming into Europe, working and staying. Okay... HOW? I have recently read that there are turoring jobs and certain college 'research?' jobs that either don't go against your visa time quota? of 90 days (interesting strategy if true), but what legal loophole strategies are there that would keep a good, honest, hard-working person in Europe?
Also, I have been talking with Sweds and 3rd-world country locals (here where I am volunteering) who have lived in Sweden for decades who say 'you may not necessarily 'need' a work-permit to have a job and simply finding a job & working in it for a while may lead to somekind of visa extension strategy. My last idea would be to marry a Swed(?!) or have a child there (?!)
Toper, can you please tell me what other countries you had success in? I am quite shocked that Thailand refused you work (!) My God, what is this world coming to when you can't go to SE Asia to work, yikes!
Please reply back asap!

toper3
  1/26/2010 04:46 EST

I understand that policy. But as I am currently living in Thailand---a hotel will NOT hire me(because Thai policy does not allow foreigners to fill a position that a Thai can fill.) Will it be difficult for me or even possible to gain employment in Sweden--either before or when I am there?

abruno
  1/24/2010 22:56 EST

I'm preparing to move to Sweden later this year and from what I understand, the work visa needs to be entered in your passport BEFORE entering Sweden. If you are in Sweden already, I believe you have to leave and apply.

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