Habré already wrote about how
pros move to London ,
San Francisco and some other overseas locations, and
very sensibly about immigration in general . To my surprise, I found a similar note about Sweden. Since I currently live in the glorious city of Stockholm and worked in the Swedish company, I decided to remedy this situation.
This is the second part of my story,
first part can be found here .
Ireland, the second run h4> About the same time with one of the Swedes load being handled by me earlier Irish options. It was an advertisement for the recruitment of iOS-developer in the international worldwide hotel in hostels, based in Dublin. These comrades have expressed interest to me about a month after my response to their open position, so I already had time to forget about them. However, they organized me a series of 3 or 4 phone interview (yes, the Irish also like to call on the phone, like their counterparts in the neighboring island).
Twice I was talking to a leading iOS-developer named Peter. Peter turned the nicest man, with a pronounced Irish accent, which is somewhat masked by phone jammer on the way from Dublin across Europe in Tver. Interested him, as the rest of his companions, my experience, knowledge frameworks in iOS-development, design patterns, memory management, and perhaps something else that I had forgotten for the prescription of events.
I also spoke with hr-manager by the name of Kelly, which is mainly interested in organizational matters in style, when I can come to them, how much do I need to notify the dismissal of the current management, etc.
For the Irish, I did the test task: an application that works with existing API test their service. The emphasis in this application is mostly on GUI, it was necessary to qualitatively elaborate interfaces, while respecting the list of requirements (which, for example, included the mandatory use of Storyboards).
As is the case with the Swedes, Irish, my decision to test job very much. And then in their HR-system decision-making case (another) failure. Whether someone from the decision-makers, went on vacation, or even something happened, but they have not told me any of its decision to the promised them the same dates. I wrote a letter to Peter with the question "how?", To which he sent me a surprised response, "I thought that you and I have already contacted." A few days the Irish went out to deal in the company, who should I write.
And they were too late.
Battle of two offerov h4> The Swedes made the first offer.
My wife and I at that time had already read in the internet All that we need to know about Sweden, and realized that we wanted to ride it there. The list included: normal salary, a good environment, almost completely free medicine, free education for citizens and persons with a residence permit (including a temporary residence permit), similar to a domestic nature and weather, beautiful Stockholm, interesting work with good prospects and much more. The only drawback was that Stockholm is very difficult to find accommodation. But this is a topic for another story.
Nevertheless, Ireland - also a very attractive country. So I waited until the last moment offera from the Irish, not accepting the offer of the Swedes. And had the imprudence to tell about it, Matthew. Matthew sensed that production takes him from under his nose, and began to put pressure on the Swedes, they are more likely to make a decision. As a result, the Swedes promptly picked me ahead with offerom Irish. I took the time to think. The Irish do not telilis. When I ran out of all intelligible excuses for postponing decisions, I agreed to offer the Swedes.
And the very next day (as I remember, it was Friday) came from the Irish to offer more than the Swedes, the amount of money. The weekend was ruined.
On the one hand, I have agreed to offer the Swedes, and go back down at this stage it was ugly. Especially because the conditions suited me, and my wife and I have morale go to Sweden.
On the other hand, Irish offered more money. Given the fact that his wife was going to continue their education and a master's degree in the field of Data Analysis / Data Science, and work at that time was just me, it was important for us.
A strong argument in favor of the Swedish version was the opportunity to study in master free - with a residence permit for more than a year, the person gets almost all the rights of a citizen of Sweden, in particular, and the right to free education.
Fat minus the Irish seemed to us that on the Internet write that the process of obtaining a work permit in the country considerably tightened and bureaucratic. There are stories about people who could not get a visa for 4 or more months due to the bureaucracy of local officials. I do not know how true this is, but these stories we found more than one, that we are pretty alarmed.
We thought we were discussing another thought, weighed all the pros and cons. As a result, on points won by Sweden.
About the Swedish offer h4> I agreed to offer buffet with reservations. I always learn almost all contracts to the last comma, so the Swedes to torment me in this regard in the course of discussions.
Firstly, in offere amount was lower than what I originally asked for. This amount, by the way, I was initially told the Swedes through Ellie, she later was not discussed even once until the very offera. Negotiated the original amount was returned to its rightful place. It is noteworthy that this is the amount appeared "almost" by accident - I just found on the Internet in advance fresh ad for iOS-developer in Stockholm with the specified salary and took it unchanged.
Secondly, the contract was written that I am committed to work "not less than 40 hours a week." This wording has been changed to "40 hours a week." In practice, it turned out that nobody is watching.
Third, the contract forbade me to develop any custom applications for iOS in my spare time. It does not sound cool, right? As a result, after a hot discussion was adopted wording that I can not develop their own games for iOS in his spare time.
The contract has been fixed yet some small things, it I do not remember.
The Swedes made the first legally enter into an employment contract for six months. That they have something like probation. At first I was strongly resented, but after reading the internets found out that it is normal practice.
The final version of offera I discussed with our CEO on Skype for over an hour, when he was driving home in Stockholm with his family from a holiday in Malmo. For the time of his visit there was no disconnection - this here in Sweden the mobile Internet.
When all items have been agreed offera started Swedish emigration magic ...
A few words about the Swedish bureaucracy h4> More precisely about its almost complete absence. :)
In order to go to Sweden to work as a programmer, you need an invitation from your employer, your passport and, in the case of a wife - her passport and marriage certificate, as well as some money to pay for the registration of a temporary residence permit.
Particular attention is drawn to the fact that:
1. No one shall require an employee to the mandatory knowledge of English, Swedish, or some other language. The fact that you were able to pass a series of interviews with the employer is already sufficient.
2. The procedure for a work permit foreign specialist is extremely easy for the employer. Sweden maximally facilitate the possibility of inviting highly qualified personnel from abroad.
3. No one requires the employee to present a diploma of higher education. Sufficient to indicate in the application by the employer that you have it and received in a certain university and a certain specialty. After moving my diploma and no one has asked.
Come issued a work permit (not more than 2 years at a time), and then - if the work permit is issued for a period of more than 3 months - temporary residence for the same period, which he can cross the border without a visa Sweden. You only need a passport or ID-card (if you live in a country where instead of a passport ID-card). Wife of the guest at the same time is made exactly the same temporary residence permit for the same period as the visitors. In this case, the wife also gets right to work in the country, and without reference to a specific employer!
Physically residence - a card with a chip (it stores your fingerprints and some other information) the size of a credit card. Swedes are these cards in the bag for phones with credit cards, very convenient.
With this card, you can move freely within the Schengen area. And, of course, if you were fired, it is necessary to take the card back to the Swedish Migration Board. At the same time, however, after the dismissal you have 3 months to find a new job and redo the card to a new employer.
The process of obtaining a work permit and a temporary residence permit h4> Before hiring a worker from outside the European Union, the Swedes are required to advertise the position on a special website for 10 EURES (such as working) days. This is typical for almost any EU country. Only then can initiate the process of inviting staff from Russia.
The application for a work permit and a temporary residence permit submitted electronically on the website of the Migration Service in Sweden. The process starts employers, workers comes an email with a link, which you need to register on the website of the Migration Service, specify the data, including scans of passports and marriage certificates.
After completing the migration service for 2 weeks decides to issue a work permit and a temporary residence permit. Next, you need to go to the Embassy of Sweden for the decision and, if the decision is positive, photographed and hand prints of the index fingers cards for a temporary residence permit (hereinafter - Card residence permit i>. The permit may be issued for up to 2 years , such as happened in my case.
A small digression: in different countries that the Swedes called a temporary residence permit, often referred to as a work visa. Working visas are also issued for a fixed term and is tied to the employer. I'll stick with the Swedish terminology, but keep in mind that it is of the essence, like a work visa. I>
After this migration service for up to 4 weeks will make a residence permit card. In practice it done in 2 weeks. This time is enough to inform the leadership of resignation at the old place of work and legal work for 2 weeks.
Drive h4> As the Swedes wanted to see me at work as soon as possible, a plan was worked out in detail the move in advance. On the day we left early in the morning from Tver, at 11 am taken from the Swedish Embassy in Moscow residence permit cards, and at 7pm were flying over the Baltic Sea Aeroflot flight.
From Moscow to Stockholm direct flights fly Aeroflot domestic and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), both companies fly from Sheremetyevo. Direct flight takes about 2 hours. We chose Aeroflot because tickets are somewhat cheaper than SAS, moreover, Aeroflot feeds in flight. Since we did not know until recently how quickly arrive residence permit cards (confirmation came for 3 days prior to departure), tickets cost about 10 thousand. Rubles. per person one way. For comparison, if we take tickets in advance (a few months), it is possible for the money to fly from Moscow to Stockholm and back.
On arrival we boarded the Arlanda Express, which is a 20-minute drove us from the airport to the center of Stockholm Arlanda. Where we walk (!) In 15 minutes reached the hostel booked and successfully settled in the double room.
As I mentioned earlier, in Stockholm is very difficult to find accommodation. So we booked a hostel for 2 weeks and were confident that need to stay there longer.
The first days on the site h4> The day after arrival, we had breakfast at McDonald's and went for a walk around the city, showing the attractions wife (she was in Stockholm during my studies at the university). Actually we planned to register with the local tax authorities and buy local sim-card, but the thirst to explore the beautiful city prevailed and the tax with mobile operator, we were only in the afternoon.
We arrived on Tuesday, I started work only on the following Monday, so the first few days, we went to a lot of the historic city center, dumbfounded staring at the local architecture, not believing that we moved. I do the first few days there was a feeling that I'm on vacation. :)
Stockholm - a very beautiful city. Its definitely worth a visit, even if you are not invited to work in Sweden. Swedes cherish their historical heritage, so the center of the city, especially Gamla Stan, highly recommended by me to visit all without exception!
Immediately after the submission of the application to the tax we have to look permanent housing. I will not describe the entire process in detail, I will note only that we are incredibly lucky and we found a house just a few days after arrival. Clean, furnished with furniture and appliances, apartment in the new house in a nice suburb in half an hour to my work at the local metro (subway called Swedish Tunnelbana) we immediately liked. We quickly signed a contract, made bail and after about a week moved into our new apartment.
I call flat apartment for two reasons: firstly, it is a fairly small by Russian standards - only 35 square meters. m. Second, it is so comfortable that it called "apartments" I did not turn the language. :)
Since our arrival here has been more than a month. My wife and I are very happy with the move.
Conclusion h4> First of all, I do not call anyone "to fill a tractor" or "fell from Raska". I love my country and willing to clarify the meaning of the events occurring now in Russia and in its immediate vicinity, his new foreign colleagues (colleagues while skeptical shake their heads, but politely smile).
I left not because I do not like this or that politician, party or year-round gryazische foot next to my porch. I left for a new experience, knowledge, experiences, acquaintances and quality of life.
I'm sure to go to work abroad - quite feasible task for any person working in the field of IT, and at the same time having a cap between the shoulders and the head with the brain, and not stand for this very hat. The task feasible, but not just in general for its implementation will need to work on. And, most of all, the final result will have to wait a few years (in my case, we did it in about 2 years).
So, if you want to leave, you must:
1. Understand that you know how to do best, what are your competitive advantages compared to your other colleagues. Look around at the sides. If you are around a lot of people who know how to do your job, chances are you do not have to go high.
2. Determine the country or countries where you want to go. This will depend on many things: from the study of the peculiarities of emigration legislation to learning the language used for communication in the country. Fortunately, often knowledge of English will be enough for departure to almost any decent country.
3. Examine the characteristics of migration legislation selected country or countries. All countries have different rules for invitations to hire foreign experts. In many European countries to invite people from the EU is much easier than from outside the EU. Know the procedure for the emigration process in detail. Sometimes it can be frustrating parts obstacle in the way of your dreams.
4. To study a foreign language and, if necessary, to stock up on documentary evidence of his knowledge. Most often, this foreign language will be English. Keep in mind that you need to not only choose the right type of certificate of English (IELTS, FCE, CAE, CPE, TOEFL, other certification systems), but also hold them well enough to be able to pass the phone interview for at least an hour ( figure is realistic, based on my experience). Believe me, it's hard.
5. take real steps to seek employment in the selected country or countries before departure. Real steps - a search and response to vacancies. Depending on the country, ways to find (and sometimes its appropriateness) will vary. Count on the fact that the search will take at least several months.
6. Adapt.
Thank you for your attention!
