Residence Permits for Studies

Please note:
Since residence permit cards have been introduced in 20 May 2011, the procedure of a residence permit application for studies has been changed. The new residence permit cards include biometric information (photo, fingerprints, electronic signature). Therefore, students must submit their biometric information before receiving the cards.

Electronic Applications
Students from countries were citizens do NOT need entry visas for travel to Sweden (e.g. Japan, South Korea, U.S., etc) can now apply for residence permits for studies at a university or a college of higher education on the internet (so called Electronic application or Online application). Please see the website of the Swedish Migration Board for detailed information.

Once their application has been granted, those students can enter Sweden, and upon arrival submit their biometric information and obtain residence permit cards.
 
Students who are NOT eligible to apply on the internet
Students from countries were citizens need visas for travel to Sweden or students who are going to study at folk schools or high schools are NOT eligible to apply on the internet. Those students must apply to the Embassy of Sweden in Tokyo by post. 

Once their application has been granted, the students who are going to study at folk schools or high schools and do NOT need entry visas for travel to Sweden (e.g. Japan, South Korea, U.S., etc) can enter Sweden and upon arrival submit their biometric information and obtain residence permit cards.

The students from countries whose citizens need visas for travel to Sweden will be summoned to the Embassy in Tokyo to submit their biometric information after their applications have been filed at the Embassy. They can NOT enter Sweden unless they obtain residence permit cards.

Those applications for residence permits will be filed at the Embassy of Sweden in Tokyo by post only. Personal visits or contacting via e-mail to the Embassy will not result in any kind of preferential treatment. The mailing address is as follows;

Consular Section
Embassy of Sweden, Tokyo
1-10-3-100 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032

Following documents will be required if you apply to the Embassy of Sweden in Tokyo:
(All documents should be written in English or Swedish)

• Two sets of completed application form "Application for residence permit for students and doctoral students" For exchange students, only one set is required.

• Valid passport (the passport must be valid for the entire planned stay in Sweden) and one copy (data page and stamped page) For Japanese citizens other than exchange students, only two copies of data page are required

• Two passport size photographs: full face, colour, light background, not more than 6 months old, bareheaded unless special religious reasons exist (4.5cm x 3.5cm). Exchange students only need to submit one photograph.

• Acceptance letter from the educational institution where you will be studying in Sweden, indicating what program you are participating in and the period

• Proof that you have sufficient funds of your own for the entire study period in Sweden. At least SEK 7.300:-/month. Proof of funding can be a scholarship or a certificate of the applicant’s bank balance. (Support through guarantor is NOT acceptable.) Copies of proof are NOT acceptable.

• Comprehensive health insurance covering your stay in Sweden and the Schengen area if you intend to study less than one year as a university/college student.

• If you are a Rotary, AFS student and you are under the age of 18 a permission letter from your parents that you can attend school in Sweden

• Non-refundable application fee in cash if you are NOT a Japanese citizen.

Application fee

Japanese citizens are free of charge.

• Self-addressed "Letter-pack 500" envelope to return your passport by post. But, it will not be required if you do not send the Embassy your passport. The "Letter-pack 500" is available in convenience stores and post offices. Please note that the Embassy does not bear responsibility for any delay or losses caused by the postal service or any other courier services.

Can my wife and children stay in Sweden with me?
Family members wishing to accompany the applicant must submit their own application separately:

• Completed sets of application forms "Application by co-applicants to students/doctoral students" and "Application for children under 18 years"

• Valid passport (the passport must be valid for the entire planned stay in Sweden) and one copy (data page and stamped page).

• Two passport size photographs (4.5cm X 3.5cm)

• Proof that you have sufficient funds for your accompanying family members for your entire study period in Sweden e.g. guarantee letter from the main applicant and certificate of bank balance (The required amount is 3,500 SEK/month for accompanying wife, 2,100 SEK/month per child.)

• Proof of your family relationship e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate

• Non-refundable application fee in cash if you are NOT a Japanese citizen.

Application fee

Japanese citizens are free of charge.

How can I send my application to the Embassy?
You must send the application in by post. You are responsible for ensuring that the application is delivered to the Embassy; moreover, the Embassy does not notify you that your application has been received. If you are a non-Japanese citizen, the application fee is also requested to be enclosed.

Do you keep my passport while my application is on going?
We only keep your passport if you are an exchange student. If you are a non-Japanese applicant who is required to submit your passport, we will send it back to you a few days later by the self-addressed "Letter-pack 500" envelope you enclose.
 
How is my application processed?
If you are an exchange student, your application will be handled by the Embassy. The processing time will be approximately 2 -3 weeks.

If you are not an exchange student, your application will be forwarded to the Swedish Migration Board to be examined. The processing time will be approximately 8 weeks.  

What will happen after my application is granted?
You will be notified from the Embassy in Tokyo by the following way when a decision has been taken.

If you are going to study at a folk school or a high school and do NOT need an entry visa for travel to Sweden (e.g. Japan, South Korea, U.S., etc), you will be able to enter Sweden with your valid passport and upon arrival submit your biometric information and obtain a residence permit card at your local Swedish Migration Board office. Therefore, you do NOT need to submit your passport to the Embassy after the decision. 

If you are a student from a country whose citizens need visas for travel to Sweden, the Embassy will send you a residence permit card by a "Letter-pack 500" mailer. The Embassy will ask you to submit the mailer when you come to the Embassy to submit your biometric information. The Embassy is not responsible for any delay or loss that may be caused by the postal service. Please note that residence cards are to be produced in Sweden and sent to the Embassy. Therefore, it might take a few weeks to be delivered the residence permit cards to the Embassy in Tokyo after the decisions have been made.

If your application is rejected, you will be noticed either by registered mail or fax. Your application might be rejected. Therefore, please do not arrange your transportation to Sweden before you are informed of your decision by the Embassy.

Whom do I contact for additional information?
You can call the Embassy of Sweden in Tokyo at 03-5562-5050 (choose 33 for consular section) Monday through Friday between 9.00-11.00 except on Embassy holidays.