Residence permit for studying in Sweden

You should apply in person at the Embassy. Please note that you are not required to apply for residence permit through any agency. It is very important that you write your own contact information, not an agent's, on the application form.

If the Embassy finds it necessary, you may be summoned to an additional personal interview, in which case the Embassy will contact you. Your application will be forwarded to the Migration Board in Sweden. When the Migration Board in Sweden has made a decision in your case they will produce a residence permit card for you and send it to the Embassy. When the Embassy receives your card you will be contacted to come pick up your permit. You should leave Sweden after you have finished your studies. Even if you have been studying in Sweden for several years you can normally not get a permanent residence permit to settle down in Sweden.

You are required to enclose the following documents with your application (please note that you should provide a photocopy of each document you submit with your application). If you apply electronically the supporting documents shall be enclosed as well.

• Two fully completed and signed application forms.
  
  
• Two unretouched passport photos taken within the past six months. Photos that do not conform to these standards will be rejected and may cause delay in processing the application. (Please see the photo guide on the right).
  
  
• Two photocopies of the identity page of the passport. We only accept passports which have been signed by the holder of the passport. 

• A certificate, or an invitation letter, stating that you have been enrolled for full-time study.
  
  
• Those who first wish to study language and join another university or college later are required to enclose a letter of acceptance and confirmation letter from both the language school and the university.
  
  
• If you are going to participate in an exchange programme between a Chinese and Swedish school, you should enclose a letter of introduction from your school, as well as a copy of the original letter. The letter should state your position at the school, and should also include the address of your school, contact person and telephone number. The letter should be translated into English and carry an official signature and stamp.
  
  
• If you are employed by an institute or company in China, you should enclose a letter of introduction from this institute or company, as well as a copy of the letter. The letter should state your position at the institute or company, and should also include the address of your employer, contact person and telephone number. The letter must be in English and carry an official signature and stamp.
  
  
• Financial guarantee. The sum requested is at present SEK 7300 per month for 10 months a year. Please submit a bank certificate showing your financial resources. The money should be deposited in your own account. You must be able to show that you have enough money for your upkeep throughout the whole period of your stay in Sweden. The information should be in English, and in two copies.
  
  
• If you have been admitted for studies in Sweden lasting less then one year, you must have a comprehensive health insurance. The insurance should be valid for the entire duration of the stay, with a cover of at least 30.000 Euro and covering any emergency medical treatment and/or repatriation for medical reasons.
  

You are required to pay an application fee when you hand in your application. If your application is rejected, the fee will not be refunded. The application fee is currently 1015 RMB for adults and 505 RMB for students below 18 years of age. The Embassy will only accept card payment. Please observe: cash payment can only be accepted, when card payment is not possible.

Applications for residence permits for studies at university level in Sweden can also be lodged electronically, see under “Electronic application for residence permit for visiting students”. When lodging your application electronically, you still have to come to the Embassy for interview, to hand in copies of the passport and supporting documents, sign the application, be photographed and give finger prints. If you lodge your application electronically, you can book an appointment for the visit at the Embassy. Finger prints are needed as a residence permit card will be given to those who are granted residence permit.

If you fail to supply the necessary documents mentioned above, the decision-making process of your case may be delayed. The Embassy may contact you to ask for additional documents or information if necessary. 

Please note that is is important that you fill in your contact information in the application form. If you fail to do so, the Embassy may be unable to contact you regarding additional documents or other information related to your case.

Note: If you are under the age of 18, please see Information for students under the age of 18, under Content on the right.