ICT permits can, however, only be granted for a maximum combined period of 3 years (2 years for the initial permit + 1 year for the extension). 1. An ICT Permit is for expats who work for a company outside the EU, and are transferring to the Swedish branch of that company. ICT Permit.

Once your employee’s work permit application has been approved, a residence permit card needs to be issued which can take about 3 weeks, adding to the overall waiting time before your new recruit can move to Sweden and start work. This permit only applies to employees in managerial or specialist positions. An ICT-permit is a combined permit for residence and work.
The ICT-permit is issued for a maximum of three years for managers and key personnel. Visas/permits affected: ICT permits, extended-stay mobility ICT permits. After a person has held a permit for 3 years it is assumed that they must leave Sweden and apply for a new permit again from abroad. Citizens of Argentina, Australia, Chile, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zealand, South Korea and Uruguay aged 18–30 can also apply for a working holiday visa (link in Swedish) for up to one year.

There are a few exceptions to the rule.

The permit must be applied for in the EU Member State in which you expect to spend the most time. Who is affected: Non-EU/EEA managers, specialists or trainees transferring from outside the EU to work in Sweden; non-EU/EEA managers, specialists or trainees who hold an ICT permit in another EU country and are assigned to work in Sweden. Only non-EU residents need to apply. If the ICT is offered a positon in Sweden that will fall under the rules for a national permit, he or she can submit a national visa application in Sweden. Key points to remember. If you have an ICT permit that was issued in Sweden and apply for an extended-stay mobility ICT permit in another EU country, and your application is rejected, you should return to Sweden. Stage 3: Residence permit card. Generally, citizens from countries outside the EU must apply for a work permit to work in Sweden. This also applies if the EU country does not want you to stay in the country to work for a brief period, or if your ICT permit has expired or is withdrawn.

Application process. Applications must be filed using a paper form. ICT-permit. An ICT permit gives you as a citizen of a country outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland the right to travel into, stay and work in Sweden at a company that is established in Sweden within the same corporate group as the host company.

After the initial period, the ICT must leave Sweden and apply for a new ICT permit from abroad. For trainees the permit is issued for a maximum of one year.