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Do you want to immigrate and work in Sweden as a teacher? It’s a great destination that lets you work and build the future you want. You just need to know the process, requirements, and a few other points. This Visa Library page will bring you how to become a teacher in Sweden. This is your comprehensive guideline, and you will get answers to all of your questions.

Immigrate to Sweden as a teacher requirements

You will need these items to work as a teacher in Sweden:

A teaching certificate from Sweden

Every foreign person who wants to immigrate and work in Sweden as a teacher needs a teaching certificate from Swedish officials. You must apply to the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) to get your certificate.

A teaching degree from a foreign country

You need a teaching certificate from your home country or the country you worked as a teacher. It must state that you have the right to practice teaching there.

The certificate must be according to your teaching level.

If you want to teach a physical subject like swimming, you must submit proof that you have completed a training course in swimming.

Swedish language proficiency certificate

You must be fluent in Swedish to immigrate to Sweden as a teacher. The fluency level is C1 on the CEFR scale.

One condition exempts you from the language fluency certificate. If your native language is one of the following languages, you do not need a language fluency certificate: Swedish, Danish, Faeroese, Icelandic, Norwegian.

Study in the related field.

You must show that you have studied the subject you want to teach. It could be mathematics, science, or language. This is to verify that you have enough knowledge and information about the subject.

A work experience certificate or a certificate of supplementary studies in that subject can prove it.

Find a job in Sweden as a teacher.

If you are a non-EU national and want to immigrate to Sweden as a teacher, you must get a work permit. First, you must find a job with a Swedish employer to apply for a work permit. This is why it’s necessary to find a job as a teacher in Sweden. You can learn more about Sweden’s work visa from the Visa Library article.

Required certificate to immigrate to Sweden as a teacher

You need an educational degree from your home country or where you got your degree. If it’s a foreign country, you must apply for recognition.

You send your degree and other required supporting documents to Swedish officials; they decide you can work as a teacher in Sweden. If yes, they grant you a teaching certificate. You need this certificate to work as a teacher in Sweden.

How to immigrate and work in Sweden as a teacher

Sweden visa for immigrant teachers

You might need a visa to enter Sweden during the process of immigration to Sweden as a teacher. This section informs you about the visa options for teachers. You have to pick and apply for the right visa to enter Sweden. A wrong visa application will lead to rejection.

Sweden work visa

If you are from a non-EU country, you need a work visa and a work permit to work in Sweden as a teacher. You must get a work permit before you receive a work visa. Only a Swedish employer can apply for a work permit, so you must find an employer willing to hire you as a teacher.

You can find a job as a teacher in different ways. You can look for a position through the websites that advertise job positions there or get help from recruiter agencies. Look at the below section to learn about these websites and agencies.

After you find a job, the employer and teacher must sign an employment contract. Then, the employer applies for a work permit, and after issuance, you can apply for a work visa.

Sweden tourist visa

Look at your nationality. Are you from a non-EU country? If yes, you might need a visa to enter Sweden. Some non-EU countries are exempt from a visa to enter Europe and Sweden. If you are a national of these countries and have a passport, you can move to Sweden with your passport and stay for some time. But you may not work. If you need to visit Sweden during the recognition process or find a job, this privilege can help you.

Sweden student visa

There is another way to immigrate to Sweden as a teacher, and you can use it if you have not got your degree yet. It’s to study for a degree or a teaching program in Sweden.

First, you must find a Swedish university or school that provides a degree to foreign or international students. It must let you become a teacher in Sweden or follow the steps to become a teacher there.

You must find and fulfill the requirements, then apply to the university. After getting an admission letter, you must gather the other supporting documents and submit your student visa application to Swedish officials.

How long does it take to immigrate to Sweden as a teacher?

The Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR)  website doesn’t provide information about the average processing time of the recognition process. You must gather and send them

the documents. Then they process your application and decide about it. It could take a few months, and if they ask for further supporting documents, the processing time will be longer.

Then, you must find a job that depends on the demand and your skills. It could take a few months to persuade an employer to hire you. Then you must apply for a work permit and a work visa.

If everything goes right, you can expect up to 1-2 years to immigrate to Sweden as a teacher. But the process could become longer or shorter on your conditions.

If you want to study for a degree in Sweden, you must determine its duration. If it’s a BA degree, it takes about 4 years, and a MA degree takes 2 years.

Related occupations for immigrant teachers in Sweden.

There are various job positions for a teacher. You might end up working in a different one. It depends on your background, work experience, skills, the employer’s demand, etc.

You’d better know some of the positions you can work in to seize job opportunities. Also, if you see that some of these positions are greatly in demand, you can prepare yourself. Moreover, if you see that some of them are well-paid, try to get work experience in them.

These are some of the positions that you can find when immigrating to Sweden as a teacher:

  • Education Policy Expert,
  • Curriculum Specialist
  • Program Director for Exceptional Children
  • Guidance Counselor
  • Academic Advisor
  • Instructional Designer
  • Standardized Test Developer

When you search through employment websites, keep a keen eye on the above items. Try to find as much information as you can.

Immigrant teacher’s salary in Sweden

Your salary as a teacher in Sweden depends on various factors:

  • Education
  • Work experience
  • The place you teach
  • The level you teach
  • Etc.

According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a teacher in Sweden is about SEK 62,113 per month.

According to the local Sweden, the average salary is about 30,500 kronor before tax. It says the income is about to 33,900 SEK for primary school teachers and 36,300 SEK for secondary school teachers.

This is while Payscale says the average salary is about 362.000 SEK per year.

According to Salary Explorer, the average salary is about 34,100 SEK. While the lowest income is about 17,700 SEK, and the highest earning is about 52,100 SEK.

Where to work as an immigrant teacher in Sweden?

You can work in various places as a teacher in Sweden. There are different companies and centers that need skilled teachers. It’s up to some luck, your educational background, work experience, and skills that to find a job in a center.

These are some of the places you might find a job as a teacher who immigrates to Sweden;

  • Schools
  • Language institutes.
  • University
  • College
  • HR department of companies
  • Governmental organziations
  • NGOs.
  • Private companies
  • Etc.

Teaching degree or certificates in Sweden.

There is another way to immigrate and work in Sweden as a teacher. You can study for a degree in Sweden and then apply for a teaching license. This way, you have a better acceptance chance as the degree is valid and approved by Swedish officials.

These are some of the teaching degrees in Sweden that let you immigrate to Sweden as a teacher.

  • Associate degree in education
  • BA in early childhood education
  • BA in elementary education
  • BA in secondary education
  • BA in special education
  • MA in curriculum design
  • MA in reading

You must find out which one is appropriate for your conditions. For instance, if you do not have a MA degree, you may not apply for Ph.D.

Also, determine which Swedish universities offer this course and what the admission requirements are.

Best cities to immigrate and work in Sweden as a teacher

You are the right person to determine the best cities to immigrate to and work in Sweden as a teacher. It depends on the demand for teachers and some luck to find a teaching job in this Swedish city.

But you should find some information about Sweden before starting the process and after landing there. Knowing about cities helps you make a better decision about the place you want to work in. If you do not like the city or can not stand its features and conditions, you might have huge difficulty living there. All the process and hard work might be wasted.

This is the largest Swedish city. There are always better and more job positions in large cities:

  • Stockholm.
  • Gothenburg.
  • Malmö.
  • Uppsala.
  • Upplands Väsby.
  • Örebro.

The second list in this section you should know about is the popular cities in Sweden. People like to visit or live in these cities for a reason. One has better weather or the other attracts a higher number of tourists. It’s up to you to determine which one of them you like and why people love them more than others.

  • Stockholm
  • Gamla Stan
  • Norrmalm
  • Östermalm
  • Södermalm
  • Gothenburg
  • Karlskrona

How to find a job in Sweden as a teacher?

There are various ways to find a job in Sweden as a teacher. You put the effort and time to work in Sweden as a teacher. What’s the point if you can not find a job? Also, you might need a work permit, so it’s another reason to find a job there as it’s the employee that can apply for a work permit.

One way to find a job in Sweden is to look for a position through the websites that advertise job positions in Sweden. This is a list of them;

Websites to find a job:

  • CareerBuilder
  • Blocket
  • Jobbland
  • Nyteknik
  • Netjobs
  • Indeed
  • Jobisland

The second way is to get help from recruiters or employment agencies. They connect employers and employees, which in your case, teachers. Here are some recruits to find a job in Sweden:

  • Hays
  • Academic Work
  • Manpower
  • Cornerstone
  • Wise Professionals
  • Beyondo
  • Hammer & Hanborg

You can also travel to Sweden and try to find a job. If you are among the visa-waived countries, your passport lets you enter Sweden and stay for 90 days.

If you are not, you may apply for a tourist visa and enter Sweden to find a job. Learn more about Sweden’s tourist visa from the menu.

How to immigrate and work in Sweden as a teacher

Language fluency to immigrate to Sweden as a teacher.

You need Swedish language fluency to immigrate to Sweden as a teacher. It’s a must to get a C1 level and submit the fluency certificate to the officials.

It might take you time to master and get the language fluency. So you’d better begin learning as early as possible. Remember that you are going to teach Swedish students, so you must improve your language skills.

One condition exempts you from the language fluency certificate. If your native language is one of the following languages, you do not need a language fluency certificate:

  • Swedish,
  • Danish,
  • Faeroese,
  • Icelandic,
  • Norwegian

If you have studied and got your degree in Swedish, you do not need a language fluency certificate.

Is it hard to immigrate and work in Sweden as a teacher?

You can say that immigration to Sweden as a teacher is a bit challenging, but it’s not an impossible task. Teachers are well respected and paid for in Sweden’s well-established education system. But you should consider a few items before you make the final decision.

First, you need Swedish language fluency to immigrate there as a teacher. This is particularly true if you want to teach in schools and to young students. So you must have near native Swedish language fluency.

The second point you must consider is that Swedish officials have special instructions and requirements for teachers. If you get your egress outside of Sweden, you must have them recognized by the Swedish National Agency for Education. They assess your degree and application and then decide whether you are qualified to immigrate to Sweden as a teacher.

The third point is for non-EU nationals. You need a work permit to work in Sweden in any occupation and teaching. To get a work permit, you need a job offer from a Swedish employer. So you must be able to persuade an employer to hire you or offer the teaching position. It can be challenging to persuade an employer to hire you as a foreign teacher.

The other point you must consider is that the teaching job market in Sweden is tough and much depends on the area you teach. There is a demand for teachers in mathematics, science, and foreign languages. But the demand in other areas depends on the subject and area.

Working conditions for immigrant teachers in Sweden.

Your working conditions as a teacher who immigrated to Sweden are according to rules and regulations.

Employees are not discriminated against, and they are treated equally. You will have the same rights, benefits, and coverage as a Swedish teacher. Employers must provide a safe and healthy culture of working place without gender discrimination.

You will have long-term job contracts, and your employment is guaranteed. The contract includes all the terms and conditions of your employment.

  • Working hours,
  • Salary,
  • leave entitlements
  • Position
  • Tasks and responsibilities.

Employees can not kick you out suddenly, and job security is good.

Your salary depends on factors like experience, qualifications, and the region or area you work in. but there is no discrimination in terms of salary, and you will earn the average for teachers. See the section above to know the average teacher’s income in Sweden. Also, you can get some benefits like health insurance, pension contributions, and paid leave.

You will work on a regular and standard schedule that is regulated. Your working hours depend on the level of education, the school, and the individual employment contract.

You will find that employees are willing to support your development. So you can take training programs, workshops, and seminars to increase your knowledge and skills.

Required personal skills for teachers who immigrate to Sweden.

See the above section to know the requirements to immigrate and work in Sweden as a teacher. But there are some required personal skills to be an effective teacher.

The first one is excellent communication. You must be able to convey information and ideas to students, parents, and colleagues. Transferring educational material in a clear and concise way helps better understanding and a positive learning environment that boos mutual interaction. Students will love you as you can teach them the concepts and educational content effectively.

Teachers must be adaptable and flexible to various conditions, especially meeting new students with different cultures, lifestyles, and backgrounds. You must be prepped to adapt to the new teaching strategies and styles and deal with an unexpected situations. It’s a must for managing a class with different types of students.

From my personal experience, patience works miracles and is needed for successful teachers. Students have different:

  • abilities,
  • backgrounds,
  • lifestyles,
  • learning methods,
  • and paces.

You must have the patience to know them and implement the right teaching style.

Even in your home country, you have to face challenges and problems, let alone in a new country with different students. So you need problem-solving skills. You must be able to think outside of the box, analyze the problem from a different angle, and come up with an effective solution.

There are other required personal skills, and you should determine them through research and studies.

Cost of immigration to Sweden as a teacher.

If you get your degree in a foreign country and not in Sweden, you must apply for recognition. It’s free and doesn’t charge you, but there might be other costs. But there are other costs that you have to pay. For instance, you have to translate your documents into English or Swedish by a verified translation office. If you might have to visit Sweden, you must pay the costs. Also, you must have enough money to cover the basic expenses in Sweden after you land there.

The other way to immigrate to Sweden as a teacher is to study for a degree in Sweden the average tuition is about 7,500 – 25,500 EUR/year, but it depends on the university.

The cost of living in Sweden for international students is about 700 – 1,200 EUR, but it is up to the city and your lifestyle.

How to increase your income as an immigrant teacher in Sweden?

Different strategies, tactics, and steps help you to improve your income as a teacher who immigrated to Sweden.

One thing is to continue your education in a Swedish college or university. You can study for a MA or Ph.D. degree and teach in a better position, like a college professor. It will increase your income to a large extent. Also, employers appreciate a Swedish degree better than a degree earned abroad.

The other move is to get further certificates that help you in your career. For instance, you can take an ESL course like Celta or Delta. It will open new ways of teaching and provide better positions.

Also, you can develop skills that are highly in demand in Sweden:

  • educational technology,
  • data analysis,
  • or instructional coaching
  • Etc.

The more skills you have, the better income you will have. Employers try to get and keep you with a higher payment. You should determine the required skills in this position and try to achieve them.

Let’s answer one question. Are there leadership roles or positions for you to achieve? If yes, they will skyrocket your income as a teacher in Sweden. Determine what is required to get a position like:

  • department head,
  • curriculum coordinator,
  • instructional coach,
  • etc

Additional responsibilities bring higher income.

Try to find conferences, workshops, or courses related to your professional growth and take part in them. You should find out if there are scholarships or funds for them and how you can get them.

If you are ready to give up some of your free time, you can teach online for other schools or colleges. Online teaching has become popular, and people try to avoid the trouble of getting to class.

Determine the high-paid areas in your city or in Sweden. The cost of living in the next city might be higher, but the income makes a huge difference.

Is it worth immigrating and working in Sweden as a teacher?

The answer is up to your preferences, needs, and perspective. Sweden is one of the great options to immigrate to, work, and live. If you are fed up with the conditions in your current position or country and feel that they are not improving, Sweden is the destination where you can build the future you want.

There are so many benefits to immigration and working in Sweden as a teacher:

  • High income
  • Stability
  • Strong economy
  • So many places to visit
  • Europe is close.
  • Progress opportunities.
  • Etc.

But it’s up to your to step in and begin the process.

How can a foreigner teach in Sweden?

If you have a degree and a teaching certificate from a foreign country, you must apply for recognition. You must send your degree and other supporting documents to Swedish officials. They decide whether you are eligible to work as a teacher in Sweden.

Teach English in Sweden as an immigrant teacher.

To immigrate to Sweden as an English teacher, you must be competent. Swedish officials use the term contrastive language competency. It indicates that you must have an excellent and high level of Swedish language fluency to teach English in Swedish through modern methods.

You should prove your eligibility by showing that you are fluent in English and Swedish and have enough work experience in teaching English in modern ways.

How to immigrate to Sweden as a teacher?

You must follow these steps to immigrate to Sweden as a teacher:

Determine whether you are eligible

The first step to immigrating to Sweden as a teacher is to determine whether you are eligible. Look at the above section to know the requirements. You must fulfill them then you can immigrate and work in Sweden as a teacher.

The Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR) has a free online tool that tells whether you can immigrate and work in Sweden as a teacher. You can learn whether you are qualified to immigrate to Sweden as a teacher by this tool.

Apply for recognition of your documents.

After determining your qualifications, you must apply to the Council for Higher Education (UHR) for a teaching certificate. You must gather the supporting documents that prove you are qualified and complete the application forms.

You must use the UHR online application for recognition of documents to apply to them. They decide to recognize your degree.

The application form is provided in different languages, and the website has instructions to complete the process.

Get your teaching certificate.

After the assessment is over and UHR recognizes your degree, you will get your teaching certificate. But you might have to submit further documents or complete the steps.

For instance, you might have to pass a test or a training period. The decision is with the UHR. they will inform you of the process.

Find a job, and apply for a work permit.

After you get your license, you can work as a teacher in Sweden. If you are an EU national, you do not need a work permit and a visa to work in Sweden. But if you are a non-EU national, you must apply for a work permit and a work visa.

The first step is to find a job with a Swedish employer. The employee or teacher alone can not apply for a work permit, and you must find an employer willing to hire you.

You can find a job through websites that advertise job positions in Sweden or recruiters. There is a list of them in the above section.

After you find a job, you must sign an employment contract with the employer. Then you apply for a work permit.

How to become a teacher in Sweden?

First, answer this question. Have you got your degree and teaching certificate from a foreign country? If yes, you must apply for recognition.

You must send your degree to Swedish officials, and they decide whether you are qualified to immigrate to Sweden as a teacher.

If not, you must study for a degree in Sweden that lets you become a teacher there.

Let’s sum up…

You learned how to immigrate and work in Sweden as a teacher through this Visa Library article. This is your comprehensive guideline and answers all of your questions regarding the process, requirements, eligibility, and all of your questions.

If you have any sort of questions about how to immigrate to Sweden as a teacher, write them down in the comment section. The Visa Library team will answer them.

Frequently asked questions about immigration to Sweden as a teacher.

You must study for a degree in Sweden or get your foreign degree recognized.

Yes, after he/she passes the recognition and gets a teaching license from Swedish officials.

You need Swedish language fluency and a job offer from an employer. It can be tough to persuade an employer to hire you. But it depends on your skills, background, and demand.

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