Residence permits and visas for studies

A permit for studies in Sweden can be granted for:

• exchange students
• short study courses
• university/college studies (postgraduate students included)
• studies at upper secondary/folk high school

For further information please refer to  page "Studies" at www.migrationsverket.se

NOTE: According to the Swedish Migration Board the support through a guarantor is no longer accepted in any cases at all. In order to meet the requirements the necessary amount of money for the whole period must be available on the applicant’s account not less than 7300 SEK per month or the eqvivalent in other currency a month for 10 months a year.

Students enrolled for full time study in Sweden should submit their applications for residence permit in person.

NOTE: All documents should be submitted in two copies.

The following documents are required:

• Application form for residence permit for students and doctoral students must be filled in and signed in Swedish or English.
  
  
• Passport or other travel document and a copy of its identification page.
  
  
• Copies of all marked pages of citizen/internal passport (for Russian citizens).
  
  
• Certificate stating that you have been enrolled for full-time study.
  
  
• Certificate stating that you have comprehensive health insurance valid in Sweden if you intend to study for a period of less than one year.
  
  
• Statement from a bank confirming that you have funds of your own to support you or that you have received a scholarship/study grant/salary or similar funding. Include details of the amount and during which period you will receive the money (not required for the exchange students).
  
  
• Three [3] recently taken (not older than 6-months) colour photographs (35 x 45 mm) for all applicants, including minors.
  The photograph must be:
  – of natural colouring, taken against a plane, white background
  – showing full face and facing square into the camera, eyes open and clearly visible not covered by heavy frames
  – no tinted lenses and no flash reflections on the glasses, avoid red eye effect
  – without hat or other head covering (unless for cultural or religious reasons)
  – high resolution and quality printout.
  Photographs that do not conform to these standards will be rejected and may cause delay in processing the application.
  
  
• Application fee

The following categories of persons are exempted from paying an application fee:

• Residence/work permit for students at the World Maritime University in Malmö.
  
  
• Residence/work permit for students who have received scholarships for studies in Sweden from SIDA (Swedish International Development Agency), or other Swedish or international organizations.

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

Work during the study period in Sweden

Exchange and short study courses students may not work during the study period in Sweden.

University/college students (postgraduate students included) may work and does not need a work permit for that during their stay in Sweden as a student or a postgraduate student.

Students at upper secondary/folk high school may work if the course involves a practical training at a workplace, but in that case they have to apply for and be granted a work permit for the trainee period. You are not allowed to perform any other kind of work during your study period.

Co-applicants:
(Only for university/college students, including postgraduate)

Spouses/cohabitants and unmarried children under 18 accompanying a visiting university/college student or a postgraduate student may be granted a residence permits for the same period as the principal applicant, providing they can show that their upkeep is assured. Your family is not allowed to work for their living.

The following documents are required:

• application form for co-applicants must be filled in and signed in Swedish or English (for all applicants including minors)
  
  
• Passport or other travel document and a copy of its identification page.
  
  
• Copies of all marked pages of citizen/internal passport (for Russian citizens).
  
  
• Copy of the certificate stating that the main applicant has been enrolled for full-time study.
  
  
• Certificate stating that you have a health insurance valid in Sweden if the main applicant’s period of study is less than one year.
  
  
• Confirmation of that you have funds to support youself during your stay. For adults -3 500 SEK and 2 100 SEK for children.
  
  
• Three [3] recently taken (not older than 6-months) colour photographs (35 x 45 mm) for all applicants, including minors.
  The photograph must be:
  – of natural colouring, taken against a plane, white background
  – showing full face and facing square into the camera, eyes open and clearly visible not covered by heavy frames
  – no tinted lenses and no flash reflections on the glasses, avoid red eye effect
  – without hat or other head covering (unless for cultural or religious reasons)
  – high resolution and quality printout.
  Photographs that do not conform to these standards will be rejected and may cause delay in processing the application.
  
  
• Application fee

For accompanying children under 18 years (additionaly):

• the original and a copy of a birth certificate of a child
• if a child is entered in the passport of his parent, a copy of his passport (identification page and a page with child’s personal particulars) is required
• the original and a copy of a written consent stamped by a notary public from both parents (one of the parents) or the legal guardian of the child
• a copy of the internal passport (the identification page) from both parents (one of the parents) or the legal guardian of the child.

Last update 08.01.09