How then does a refugee from Ukraine get a residence and work permit?

Yes, no individual examination is required, but the person needs to do the following at the Swedish Migration Board:

  • Identify (ID card)

  • Register

  • Get photographed

  • Leave fingerprints.

Right now this takes about a week - that is, much faster than with the refugee flow in 2015, when the process could take 17 months.

The explanation is the EU Mass Refugee Directive.

Without it, it would have been different.

- We make decisions very quickly now, says Mikael Ribbenvik.

Hear him tell more in the clip above.

The directive also covers those who have had a residence permit as a refugee or are classified as "alternatively in need of protection in Ukraine" as well as their family members.

Can be at work after a couple of weeks

But in practice, a so-called coordination number is also needed to be able to be employed or get help from the employment service.

It has the same function as a social security number and can be obtained at the Swedish Tax Agency's service office and takes about a week if all documents are in order.

The coordination number is needed in contact with employers, authorities and banks.

Without it, it will be difficult to get the salary paid.

This can be applied for in parallel with the process of obtaining a residence and work permit.

Obtaining a residence and work permit and coordination number thus takes a couple of weeks.

So within a couple of weeks, a refugee from Ukraine should be able to start working if an employer has a job to offer.

Arbetsförmedlingen: Record number of jobs

The main message from the Swedish Public Employment Service is that there is currently a very good labor market in Sweden.

There are a record number of jobs in the site bank and the authority assesses, without having had time to map the refugees' skills, that those who come have a good education.

Most have a high school education and relatively good knowledge of English, according to the Swedish Public Employment Service, which also sees a great deal of interest from employers who want to hire.

- There are good conditions for Ukrainian refugees to get into work and we would like to see you get into work, of course, says Minister of Civil Affairs Ida Karkiainen to SVT Nyheter Västernorrland.

Hotels, restaurants and trade are industries that need to be employed.

At the same time, schools report that many teachers who can speak Ukrainian and English will be needed.