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Right to work Check

Do you want to ensure that an employee has the right to work in a particular country? With a RTW (right to work) check, we can verify whether this is the case, both in Sweden and internationally.  

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Why should I conduct a work permit check?

Our check involves a comprehensive and thorough verification of the right to work, either in Sweden or internationally. Regardless of the type of employment, the employer is responsible for ensuring that employees have the right to reside and work in Sweden. 

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Include an identity check

The rules governing employer responsibility and obligations vary between different EU countries. With a check carried out by us, it does not matter which country is involved; we tailor the work permit check to the country in question. We recommend that you also carry out an identity check in conjunction with a work permit check. By doing so, you will not only confirm that the person has the right to work in the country in question, but also that the person is who they claim to be. 

It can be difficult for employers to keep track of all laws and regulations, both those currently in force and any upcoming changes that may affect their business. With DISA, you not only get a solution that complies with current laws and regulations, but also one that focuses on the future. 

Work permit checks have a limited valid period. Using an expiry date, you can set a reminder in your own systems for when a new check needs to be carried out. This way, you can be sure that your employees always have valid documents. 

In addition to checking the right to work, we can also check identification documents. In order to fully confirm a person's identity and ensure that the documents belong to the right person, the work permit check must always be carried out in combination with an identity check. This combination enables us to double-check and accurately verify the employee's identity. By checking both the right to work and identity, we offer a comprehensive and secure solution for employers. 

How does the right to work check process work?

The right to work checks are carried out as follows: 

  • Collection of documentation – The applicant or employee provides all the necessary documents. 

  • Authenticity check – The authenticity and validity of the documents are checked. 

  • Comparison with laws and regulations – The documents are checked against the applicable laws and regulations in the country in question. 

  • Results and reporting – The employer receives a clear overview of the results and recommendations in a report. 

 

DISA strictly complies with all privacy laws and regulations, such as the GDPR. One of DISA's top priorities is to process data securely and correctly.  

Personal data is deleted after 90 days, unless the customer applies a different storage period for personal data at DISA. Identity documents and driving licences are usually stored for 14 days after the check has been completed. This ensures that the privacy of applicants and employees is protected. 

DISA operates in several countries and can therefore carry out work permit checks on both a national and international level. With us, you gain access to an extensive international network and knowledge of international laws and regulations. We have the capability to conduct background checks in over 175 countries. 

EU/EEA citizens are covered by the rules on free movement and therefore do not need a work permit to work in Sweden. However, when employing people who are citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA, special rules apply under the Swedish Aliens Act.

As an employer, you are obliged to ensure that the person has the right to reside and work in Sweden before the employment begins. In most cases, this means that the employee must have a valid work permit, often in combination with a residence permit. The right to work may also be subject to specific conditions, such as employer, occupation or length of employment.

By carrying out a work permit check, you reduce the risk of incorrect employment, penalty fees and other legal consequences, while fulfilling your responsibilities under applicable legislation. 

 

Want to know more? Get in touch!

Work permit checks with DISA

International network

Thanks to our global partnerships, we can perform work permit checks in 175+ countries. 

We take care of everything

We handle the entire screening process so that you, as an employer, can focus on your own business. 

Specialist in software solutions

Our advanced screening software allows you to check your candidates and employees efficiently and securely. 

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Which solution is right for you?

No two organisations are the same. Talk to us and we’ll help you find the right setup based on your needs.

Frequently asked questions about Right to work checks

A work permit is a permit required for people from countries outside the EU/EEA to work in Sweden. As an employer, it is important to know that a work permit gives the employee both the right to work and the right to live in Sweden for longer than the three-month limit that would otherwise apply.

The permit can be granted for a maximum of two years at a time, but not for longer than the employment lasts. For the first two years, the work permit is linked to a specific employer and a specific type of work. After two years, the permit is only linked to a specific type of work. This means that you, as an employer, have a special responsibility to check that the work permit is valid and covers the current employment. 

In order for a person from a country outside the EU/EEA to obtain a work permit in Sweden, close cooperation between the employer and the employee is required. As an employer, you play a central and necessary role in the application process. 

It is the employer who initiates the application with the Migration Agency after the employee has signed the employment contract. The employee cannot apply on their own without the employer's involvement. Anyone applying for a work permit for the first time must do so while outside Sweden, otherwise the application may be rejected. The permit must be ready and entered in the passport before entry into Sweden, which means that the person cannot start working before the permit is granted. 

No, as an employer, you do not need to check work permits for EU/EEA citizens. EU/EEA citizens have the right to work, run their own business, study or live in Sweden without a residence permit or work permit. They can start working immediately upon arrival in Sweden. 

As an employer, you only need to check that the person is an EU/EEA citizen by means of a valid passport or national identity card. EU/EEA citizens have the right to stay in Sweden for up to three months without having to meet any special requirements, as long as they have a valid passport or national identity card stating their citizenship. 

Please note, however, that different rules may apply to persons who have a residence permit in another EU country but are not EU citizens. In such cases, you should check the person's specific situation and their right to work in Sweden. 

Yes, if a work permit is required. As an employer, you are responsible for ensuring that a person has the right to work in Sweden before the employment begins. 

If an employer intentionally or negligently employs a foreign national who does not have the right to reside or work in Sweden, this may result in a fine or, in serious cases, imprisonment. In addition, the employer may be subject to a special penalty fee per person who does not have the right to work in Sweden. 

A residence permit entitles a person to stay in Sweden for a certain period of time. A work permit entitles a person to work in Sweden. These two permits are not the same thing and serve different purposes. 

A person may have a residence permit without having the right to work, for example, if they are studying or are a family member in certain cases. In order to work, a special work permit is required, or the right to work must be stated in the residence permit. 

Many people from countries outside the EU/EEA require both a residence permit and a work permit, often in the form of a combined permit. The right to work is then linked to specific conditions, such as occupation, employer and length of employment. 

EU/EEA citizens do not need a work permit or residence permit to work in Sweden, as they are covered by the rules on free movement.