Sweden Allows New Work Permit Exemptions for Certain Short Stays
See below. As a comment (especially since I am originally from Sweden), perhaps this could be a model for the U.S. as part of CIR discussions for temporary workers (like "try before you buy")?
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Effective January 1, 2010, employers in Sweden are no longer required to obtain work permits for foreign nationals coming to Sweden to engage in certain short-term training and business activities, under two new provisions of the Swedish Aliens Ordinance.
The new work permit exemptions apply to the following categories of foreign national for stays of no more than three cumulative months within a twelve-month period:
- foreign nationals who are employed by an international group of companies and are entering Sweden to engage in practical training, internal training, or other educational or competence development activities at an affiliated entity in Sweden; and
- foreign nationals who will participate in educational programs, conduct tests, prepare or finish deliveries, or engage in similar activities in Sweden, within the scope of a business transaction.
For longer stays, a work-and-residence permit will continue to be required. Note that the work permit exemptions do not affect visa requirements.
The work permit exemptions were put in place to facilitate international business exchanges, at the recommendation of the Swedish Migration Board. The exemptions will give employers greater flexibility to send staff to local affiliates in Sweden for training and related programs. They will also give business visitors greater freedom to conduct activities that are related to forming deals in Sweden.
