Have any American massage therapists and/or estheticians on here had any luck finding a job in Sweden? I already went to massage therapy school and work as one currently. I'm still in esthetician school, finishing April. I would love to live in Sweden and one day have my own spa there. I was planning on visiting Sweden in April once I'm done with classes so I was thinking of going to different spas, seeing if I can leave my resume with them, and cross my fingers that a spa is willing to sponsor a work visa. One of my teachers recommended going to high end hotels while there; she said they might be more willing to sponsor me than a small spa. Another suggested applying at med spas. And of course applying like crazy on indeed, etc
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
6970 posts
I have no answer to your question, but can add some thoughts. Any US qualifications will be worthless, you will need to find a way to translate your diplomas. I don't know what agency certifies massage therapists and I'm not sure what an esthetician does to be honest.
Another thing is language, do you speak Swedish? If not, it will be major hurdle for you.
I have no idea what kind of spas or hotels are more likely to sponsor a work visa, but there is no harm in asking.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Oh yeah I already emailed the board over there about my massage license. The person I spoke with said I'd need to take a theory exam and practical exam and that they offer the exam in English. Estheticians mostly give facials. I'm still trying to find out the name of who regulates esthetician licenses in Sweden. One site said estheticians are called skincare specialists in Sweden, another said spa therapist or beauty therapist. I have plenty of time to figure this all out. I was just hoping someone on here might have gone through the process and could give some pointers
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
6970 posts
I haven't, but I know a thing or two about how Sweden and Swedish bureaucracy works.
Posted by
Malmö, Sweden
161 posts
There is no regulation for massage therapists and estheticians. Legally anyone can give a massage and take payment for it. The buyer can complain if it didn't meet normal expectations on a massage but can not complain due to lack of formal education or certification. Employers might require a Swedish certification but they can also just accept what you've got, it's up to the employer. I think you should get a few years' experience first though.
Posted by
Freedonia
16270 posts
You have to ask yourself a question....why would a an employer want to go through all the paperwork and legal hassle of hiring an inexperienced American massage therapist/esthatician when they can hire someone locally?
If you told a Swedish immigration or customs officer you were there to look for work, or they found resumes in your luggage, you could be put on the next plane home. They might think you are there to work illegally.
You might be better off contacting possible places of employment prior to your trip. At least then you could prove you were there for interviews.