Swedish Business Sector Demands Overhaul of Foreign Talent Strategy

Swedish business leaders want the next government to overhaul rules for foreign workers. This move could soon simplify work permits and family visas for skilled internationals. The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise published these demands in a new national report. It warns that Sweden is losing top global talent to other Nordic countries.

The report calls for a clear national strategy to attract international experts. It highlights urgent shortages in key fields like artificial intelligence and science. Business leaders urge officials to speed up visa processing for qualified professionals. They also want better support for foreign families settling in Sweden.

Recent immigration changes aimed to focus on highly skilled workers. The previous government raised the minimum salary requirement for work permits. However, the report shows high-skilled immigration dropped sharply since 2021. Foreign entrepreneurs complain that Swedish immigration rules remain deeply unpredictable.

To fix this, business leaders want a dedicated minister for talent attraction. They also suggest creating a special team within the government offices. The centre-left won the September 13 election. They have not formed a government yet. According to reporting by The Local, businesses demand prompt action from new leaders.