Sweden – Immigration and Travel Restrictions Related to COVID-19 Continue
Sweden – COVID-19 Immigration and Travel Restrictions
Sweden’s government has extended its period of immigration and travel restrictions for foreign nationals from entering Sweden from countries outside the EU, the EEA, and Switzerland until 15 May 2020, to manage the COVID-19 outbreak.
As part of its efforts to manage the outbreak of the coronavirus and COVID-19, the Swedish government had temporarily restricted foreign nationals from entering Sweden if they are coming from a country outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland beginning 19 March 2020 for 30 days.1 On 16 April, the government extended the restriction period until 15 May 2020.2
WHY THIS MATTERS
The extension of the immigration and travel restrictions will continue to impact on employers and their globally-mobile employees between Sweden and many countries around the world.
Until the government decides it is safe to rescind or roll-back current restrictions, extensive remote working is a “best practice” for globally-mobile employees (unless they are deemed essential workers), to the extent possible, and is a way for employers to foster the safety of their employees and help ensure business continuity.
More Details
The restriction does not apply for individuals whose purpose for the trip to Sweden is to return to their homes (i.e., home is in Sweden) if he/she:
- is a citizen of EU/EEA/Switzerland or is a family member of such citizen; or
- has a long-term residency in the EU; or
- has a residence permit in Sweden or in another state in the EU/EEA/Switzerland; or
- has a national Sweden D-visa.
KPMG NOTE
What If I Already Have a Work Permit Issued/Approved or an Application under Consideration?
The recommendation from the Swedish Migration Agency for pending applications is that the employment start date in Sweden be adjusted to match the feasible date of arrival in Sweden. In addition, if an individual has already been granted a Swedish work permit, but will not be able to arrive in the country within four months from the date of approval, the permit must be revoked.
Plans to Travel to/out of Sweden?
Travelers seeking to enter, or depart from, Sweden should regularly check the latest information with their nearest Swedish and/or home country (if they are already in Sweden) embassy or consulate.
FOOTNOTES
1 For prior coverage, see GMS Flash Alert 2020-134 (31 March 2020).
2 For more information, including exceptions to this ban (in English), visit: https://www.government.se/press-releases/2020/04/extension-of-temporary-entry-ban-to-the-eu-via-sweden-due-to-covid-19/.
RELATED RESOURCES
This has been adapted from KPMG Tax News Issue 9, 27 March 2020, “Sweden: Immigration restrictions related to COVID-19.” KPMG Tax News is a publication of KPMG AB, a KPMG International member firm in Sweden.
Another resource for measures introduced in Sweden to deal with the COVID-19 crisis is the Swedish Public Health Agency: https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/.
VIEW ALL
* Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not provide any immigration services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Sweden.
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