Residence permits for students

For a stay of less than three months, no residence permit is required. However, some foreign nationals must have visas in order to enter Sweden. Normally, visas are granted for three months at the most. You can read more about visas here.

(Please note that the Royal Danish Embassy is handling visa applications to Sweden. Click here for more information.)

What are the requirements ?

- Two passport photos taken within the past six months.

- A valid passport.

– You must be able to show that you have been granted university/college admission in Sweden (original)

- A letter from your present school in Singapore.

– You must study full-time

– You must be able to show that you have enough money to support yourself throughout the planned study period. Proof that you can support yourself must be provided. Please submit a bank certificate showing your financial resources. The money should be deposited in your own account, or documentation certifying that you have received either a scholarship or student benefit from your country of origin/domicile. You are required to show that you will have SEK 7,300/month at your disposal for 10 months/year. If you can show that you will be receiving free board and lodging, for instance, this sum is reduced.

– You must have a comprehensive health insurance if you study less than a year.

– You must fully intend to leave Sweden on completion of your studies.

Where do I apply ?

You must apply in person at a Swedish Embassy or Consulate in your country of origin or your country of domicile.

What else do I need to bring ?

You must also bring your passport, your Singaporean identification card, your student card and two passport sized photographs.

Your photographs must be:
– colour photo
– recent and of true likeness
– showing full face
– taken without headgear
– head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and even then, may not cover any portion of the applicant's face
– taken against a plain, evenly lit and light background

What does it cost to apply ?

The application fee for a Residence permit is currently SEK 1000. The fee is paid in Singaporean currency. If your application is denied, the fee will not be refunded.

Who decides my case?

The Embassy or the Consulate can grant a residence permit for exchange students. However, if a more in-depth investigation is required then it is the Migration Board that makes the decision. The permit must be complete and be entered in your passport before you enter Sweden. You can thus not travel to Sweden and wait for the decision. You will receive notification of the decision from the embassy or the consulate where you submitted your application.

You will be notified of the decision by the Embassy or Consulate to which you applied.

How long will I have to wait for a decision ?

To be sure of obtaining your permit in time, you should present your application 6-8 weeks prior to your departure for Sweden.

How long is a permit valid ?

If the study period is a year or less, you will be granted a residence permit for the duration of your studies.

If the study period is longer than a year you will be granted a permit for one year at a time.

To obtain an extension of your residence permit, you must be able to show that you have performed adequately in your studies. You must also be able to show that you have regularly received money for your upkeep during the time you have spent in Sweden, by producing a bank certificate, a statement of accounts or the like. In addition, you must be able to show that you have been accepted for further studies and that your upkeep remains assured.

Exchange students can normally be granted an additional 2-3 weeks stay after their course has finished. However, your medical insurance must cover you for the entire stay in Sweden, including the additonal weeks. If you want to stay even longer, you must apply for a short term visit permit at the Swedish Migrationsboard before your residence permit expires.

May I work ?

You may work and you do not need a work permit to do that during your stay in Sweden as a student or a postgraduate student.

Remember !

You will stay in Sweden for a limited time and you will not be entitled to the same social benefits as those living in Sweden. Therefore it is important that you beforehand find out what insurance that will cover any costs you may incur in Sweden arising from illness etc.

The Schengen Agreement

The rules in the Schengen Agreement on travel within the Schengen zone apply in Sweden as well. One result is that people with Swedish residence permits can travel freely throughout the zone for a period of three months without first applying for a visa. All travellers must have a valid passport and be able to prove their identities.

The countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement are: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italiy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden