Sweden has set out the rules under which young foreigners can apply for a working holiday visa, confirming that only citizens of six countries are currently eligible for the scheme.
Sweden’s Migration Agency noted that the country has established bilateral youth exchange agreements with Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.
Under the terms of these agreements, nationals of the selected countries aged between 18 and 30 can spend up to a year on a working holiday in Sweden.
For Nigerians seeking opportunities to work or reside in Sweden, the current framework excludes African nations.
Consequently, Nigerian passport holders are ineligible for the working holiday visa pathway and must instead apply through standard work permits, study visas, or other established immigration routes.
To obtain a residence permit under the scheme, applicants from eligible nations must meet the following requirements:
Hold a valid passport from one of the six participating countries.
Be between the ages of 18 and 30 at the time of application.
Demonstrate financial readiness by proving they have at least SEK 15,000 available upon arrival to cover initial living expenses.
Hold a return ticket to their home country or show sufficient funds to purchase one.
Maintain comprehensive health insurance valid for the entire duration of the stay, covering urgent medical care, hospitalization, emergency dental treatment, and medical repatriation.
Australian citizens operate under a distinct variation compared to the other five participating territories. Sweden’s Migration Agency confirmed that the health insurance requirement does not apply to Australians, exempting them from proving full health coverage prior to receiving their residence permit.
All other conditions, including the financial threshold, age limit, valid passport, and return ticket provisions, remain identical across all qualifying nationalities.
Citizens of non-participating nations, including Nigeria and the rest of the African continent, must explore alternative Swedish visa streams for employment or educational residency.
