Residence Permits and Visa's
Regulations on visas and residence permits for international students in Sweden vary depending on country of citizenship. The following guide offers basic guidelines for citizens of non-EU/EEA countries, citizens of EU/EEA/Nordic countries and Swiss citizens.
EU/EEA stands for the European Union and the European Economic Area. If you’re not sure if your country belongs to the EU/EEA, consult swedenadmissions.se’s list of EU/EEA countries.
Citizens of non-EU/EEA/Nordic countries
Stays of less than three months
If you’ll be staying in Sweden for less than three months, you’ll need a visa if the country that issues your passport is on this list. If your country of citizenship is not on the list, you generally can enter Sweden without a visa. You should also confirm possible visa requirements with the Swedish embassy or consulate responsible for your home country.
Stays of more than three months
If your studies in Sweden will last longer than three months, you’ll need a residence permit before coming to Sweden. Permits are issued by theSwedish Migration Agency.
To be eligible to apply for a residence permit for studies, you must have been admitted to full-time accredited university studies in Sweden. This includes paying the first instalment of tuition fees.
To apply for a residence permit for studies, you will need to:
Pay your first tuition fee instalment.
Prepare your supporting documentation. This includes copies of your passport and letter of admission as well as proving that you can support yourself financially during your time as a student in Sweden. If you’ll be staying in Sweden for less than one year, you’ll also need proof of comprehensive health insurance.
Submit the online application.
Pay the application fee, currently SEK 1,000.
The current waiting time for a residence permit for studies is two to three months, so be sure to submit your application as soon as possible after receiving your notification of admission.
Visit the Swedish Migration Agency’s website for full details on applying for a residence permit for studies and to apply. Contact the Migration Agency directly with questions regarding your residence permit application.
Useful links
List of countries whose citizens require a visa to come to Sweden
Swedish Migration Agency: How to apply for a residence permit for studies
Citizens of EU/EEA/Nordic countries
Citizens of EU/EEA/Nordic counties have the right to reside in Sweden without a residence permit or visa.
Citizens of Switzerland
Swiss citizens are allowed to enter Sweden without a residence permit or visa. However, if you’ll be studying in Sweden for longer than three months, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit for studies.
Visit the Swedish Migration Agency’s website for information on how to apply for a residence permit as a Swiss citizen.