Study in Sweden

It contains general information on the opportunities open to international students, admission procedures and other practical details.

The service is designed for students at all levels. It provides information on undergraduate courses, Master's programmes and opportunities for researchers.

A person who wishes to study at a university or college in Sweden for a period longer than three months must have a residence permit. The permit must be complete and entered into the passport before entry into Sweden.

A person who is in Sweden for a period of less than three months does not need a residence permit. However, citizens of certain countries must have a visa.

A residence permit for study purposes is subject to a time limit. Even if the period spent in the country has extended over several years you are normally not permitted to become a permanent resident in Sweden.

When should I apply?
To ensure that you receive a reply in time for commencement of your course programme it is extremely important that you apply for a residence permit as soon as you receive notification that you have been enrolled.

Make sure that you answer all questions in the questionnaire on the application form. You must also enclose all necessary documents so that your application is complete, otherwise there is a risk that the processing of your application will be delayed and you will not receive a decision in time.

Applications for students who apply for residencepermit in Sweden will be received at the embassy at following working hours:

Sunday- Thursday 8.00 - 12.00

What is required to be granted a permit?
To be granted a residence permit for study purposes at a university/college in Sweden you must present proof that you:

• have been enrolled for full-time study
• can support yourself throughout the entire period of your plan­ned study
• have comprehensive health insurance which is valid in Sweden if you intend to study for a period of less than one year

 
How can I prove that I can support myself?
You must show that you have your support secured by means of verification of personal bank assets, a scholarship or similar means of support, such as a foreign study grant. You must enclose a bank statement showing that you have your own bank assets available in an account belonging to you. If you have a scholarship you must present a certificate proving this. We do not accept that a sponsor (such as a relative or a company) supports you during your stay in Sweden.

The support requirement is at present at least SEK 7,300 per month. If you intend to study for one year or more you must show that you can support yourself for 10 months per year.

Example: if you intend to study for:

• 6 months you must have at least SEK 36,500 (5 x 7,300)
• 18 months you must have at least SEK 109,500 (15 x SEK 7,300)
• 24 months you must have at least SEK 146,000 (20 x SEK 7,300)

If you can show, for example, that you will receive free accommodation and/or food, the monthly amount can be reduced.

Which documents do I need?
When you apply for a residence permit you must use the form Application for a residence permit for students and doctoral students, see link to the right.

Enclose copies of the following documents:

• Copies of your passport, showing your identity, the period of validity of the passport and any permit required to spend time in a country other than your home country
• Two passport-sized photographs which are taken with you looking straight ahead and which are not older than six months
• A certificate stating that you have been enrolled for full-time study
• A certificate stating that you have comprehensive health insurance valid in Sweden if you intend to study for a period of less than one year

You should also enclose

• a bank statement showing that you have your own funds to support yourself (in English)
• a document showing that you have been awarded a scholarship or similar (such as a foreign study grant) with details of the amount and the period during which you will receive the money
  
  or
  
• a document showing that you have been awarded a study grant or a salary (applies to doctoral students) with de­tails of the amount and the period during which you will receive the money

Please note that the embassy or consulate where you submitted your application could require further documents. Visit www.swedenabroad.se or contact the embassy or consulate for more information.

If you are granted a residence permit you must bring your passport in the original when you collect your permit. This also applies to applicants who want an extension of their permits.

Remember
If a permit from a central bank or equivalent is requi­red to transfer money from your country, you must enclose such a permit.

How long is the permit valid?
For studies that will last longer than one year you will be granted a residence permit for one year at a time. You must then apply for an extension of the residence permit.

If the period of study is less than one year you will receive a residence permit which is valid for the length of the study period. If you need to stay longer, e.g. because you need to resit an exam, you can apply for an extension of your residence permit.

How do I apply for an extension?
When you apply for an extension you should use the form Application for a residence permit for students and doctoral students, see link to the right.

You must produce proof of acceptable study results to have your residence permit extended. This means that you must acquire at least 30 higher education credits per academic year or at least 15 higher education credits per term if the teaching is conducted in English.

You must also show that you have had money to support you during the period you have been in Sweden, e.g. by means of a bank statement.

You must also show that you have been enrolled for continued full-time study and that you still have your support secured.

Am I permitted to work?
You are permitted to work during the same period you have a residence permit. You do not need a separate work permit.

Permit for relatives
Your husband/wife or partner and unmarried children under the age of 18 years can be granted a residence permit if they can show, among other things, that their support is secured.

The support requirement is SEK 3,500 per month for a husband/wife/co-habitee/registered partner and SEK 2,100 per month for each child. They will then be granted a residence permit for the same period as you. However, they are not permitted to work.

Who decides?
The Migration Board decides on a residence permit for study purposes. The permit must be complete and be entered into your passport before you travel to Sweden.

You will be notified of the decision by the embassy or the consulate where you submitted the application. In certain cases Swedish missions abroad can decide.

We can revoke your permit
The Migration Board can revoke your residence permit if, for example, after entering Sweden:

• you have not commenced studies at the place of learning
• you discontinue your studies
• you do not satisfy the support requirement
• you deliberately provide incorrect information

Appeal
If the Migration Board decides not to grant you a residence permit, you can appeal against the decision within three weeks of the date on which you received the decision. The same applies if we revoke your permit. You send the appeal to the Migration Board.

If the Board does not change its decision in line with your request the appeal will be forwarded to the Migration Court at one of the three county administrative courts in Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö.

If you have given a person in Sweden power of attorney to represent you in the permit matter, he or she can prepare the appeal and submit it.