Stockholm was home
Author: Annonymous
When facing big decisions that could change the course of life, one probably will contemplate considerably. This is a short story about one aspect of my decision making of whether staying in or leaving Sweden.
I came to Stockholm for a postdoc at KI, after 3 years, I transitioned to private sector for another 1.5 years before opportunities presented another big decision I needed to make in my life: continue building my life in Sweden or moving abroad. Stockholm had casted a spell on me over the years, and it’s been growing. Initially my thought was almost no-doubly to stay, because after 4.5 years, I can (soon) get a permanent residence permit (requirement is 4-5 years), and then a citizenship. More importantly, I utterly enjoyed my life in Stockholm, the vast water, the burning sunsets, the tranquil moments, the swims, the naps, the summer, the vibrant colours, the exhilarations, the stretch of nature’s tales, and the ease of being me, Stockholm is home.
After consulting migrationsverket and skatterverket multiple times, I was told that my postdoc time doesn’t count to be contributing to my accumulated years in Sweden towards permanent residence permit, even though I paid tax during my postdoc (not stipend), simply because the title on my residence permit was researcher, researcher permit is not working permit in Sweden. Migrationsverket iterated that does not contribute to PR. Therefore, officially, the time I could use to build my PR case was just 1.5 years. I then also had confirmed this with third party private agent (probably they follow migrationsverket).
Since then, I started to second think about the “almost no-doubly to stay thought”, my mind started to explore the options of a completely new chapter abroad the opportunities could offer. There are of course a few other crucial factors on the table I was considering, which will not be in this story, but all combined, eventually I decided to embrace something new.
It was a bit sad to leave Sweden, as it always touches a special spot in my heart, and I was leaving my home. I think there are many highly educated and skilled people facing or will face similar decisions as I did, I do hope for them, the story could be different that PR will be a positive factor in their decision making process, and the story could be to their hearts’ desire.
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Disclaimer:
The points and the experience shared here is personal to an individual postdoc and does not necessary represent the views of KIPA or KI. For all the correct information please check the official websites of the authority concerned.
