- Startpage
- | Studying in Sweden
- | Exchange studies
Exchange studies
If you are planning to study as an exchange student in Sweden for longer than three months, you must have a residence permit.
If you are a citizen in a EU/EEA country, special rules apply; see page for EU citizens.
For studies that are shorter than three months, citizens in certain countries must have an entry visa; see link in the right column. You may not work without a work permit during your study period. If you are applying for a work permit, see the page on work permits.
To be granted a residence permit you must:
Examples of approved organisations in Sweden.
You must apply for a residence permit as an exchange student from your native country or other country outside Sweden where you live permanently. Your permit must be valid and be included in your passport before you travel to Sweden. You apply at a Swedish embassy or consulate in the country you are living in. You must use the form Application for residence permit for students and doctoral students, no. 105031.
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.
Note that the embassy or consulate where you submit your application may require additional documents. You will find more information and contact information on the website of the relevant embassy. Click on the link in the right column to find the appropriate embassy.
Most people have to pay an application fee; see page on fees. If your application is refused, your money will not be returned. You must also pay a fee when you apply for an extension to your permit.
The longest residence permit you can get is for one year.
People who stay in Sweden for a period that is shorter than one year are not entitled to the same welfare benefits as those who reside here. It is therefore important that you have good insurance cover when you travel to Sweden.
An ambassador or consulate can approve residence permits for exchange students. If an in-depth study is required, the Swedish Migration Board will make the relevant decision. You will be informed of the decision by the embassy or consulate where you submitted the application. You need to bring your original passport with you when you pick up your permit.
If the Swedish Migration Board rejects your application for a residence permit, you may appeal the decision within three weeks of the date you were given the decision. Send your appeal to the Swedish Migration Board.
If the Board upholds its decision to reject your application, your appeal will be forwarded to the Migration Court at one of the three administrative courts, in either Stockholm, Göteborg or Malmö. Which court will hear your appeal depends on which Permit Unit rejected your application.
If you have given power of attorney (and thus the right to represent you) to someone in Sweden, that person can write and submit the appeal for you.
A residence permit for study purposes is temporary. Even if your stay has lasted for several years, you will normally not be allowed to reside in Sweden. The permit must be valid and included in your passport before you travel to Sweden.
Requirements to be granted a residence permit
To be granted a residence permit you must:
- have a valid passport
- be admitted to full-time studies in an organised exchange programme
- have a contact person at the organisation in Sweden
- have consent from your guardians if you are under 18.
You cannot be granted a residence permit for studies that:
- are only in preparation for further studies in Sweden
- are directed towards further activities in Sweden
- require you to take up permanent residence in Sweden.
Approved organisations in Sweden
Examples of approved organisations in Sweden.
- AFS Intercultural studies
- Aspect
- EF Education
- International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE)
- Rotary
- Youth for Understanding (YFU)
- Scandinavian Seminar
- Student Travel Schools (STS)
The Migration Board can also, following special examination, issue a residence permit if another organisation or a host family has arranged the exchange. You must prove that you:
- are admitted to studies
- have an invite from a host family along with pocket money for your stay in Sweden.
Applying for a residence permit
You must apply for a residence permit as an exchange student from your native country or other country outside Sweden where you live permanently. Your permit must be valid and be included in your passport before you travel to Sweden. You apply at a Swedish embassy or consulate in the country you are living in. You must use the form Application for residence permit for students and doctoral students, no. 105031.
Make sure your application is complete
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.
Enclose the following documents with your application:
- copies of the pages of your passport that show your identity, the validity period of your passport and whether you have permits to be in countries other than your native country
- two photographs in passport format, taken from the front and that are not more than six months old
- a certificate from the organisation in Sweden stating that you have been admitted to full-time study.
You do not need to enclose any school reports or grades.
Check the requirements of Swedish missions abroad
Note that the embassy or consulate where you submit your application may require additional documents. You will find more information and contact information on the website of the relevant embassy. Click on the link in the right column to find the appropriate embassy.
Application fee
Most people have to pay an application fee; see page on fees. If your application is refused, your money will not be returned. You must also pay a fee when you apply for an extension to your permit.
Permit validity period
The longest residence permit you can get is for one year.
Important to remember
People who stay in Sweden for a period that is shorter than one year are not entitled to the same welfare benefits as those who reside here. It is therefore important that you have good insurance cover when you travel to Sweden.
If you are granted a residence permit
An ambassador or consulate can approve residence permits for exchange students. If an in-depth study is required, the Swedish Migration Board will make the relevant decision. You will be informed of the decision by the embassy or consulate where you submitted the application. You need to bring your original passport with you when you pick up your permit.
Right to appeal
If the Swedish Migration Board rejects your application for a residence permit, you may appeal the decision within three weeks of the date you were given the decision. Send your appeal to the Swedish Migration Board.
If the Board upholds its decision to reject your application, your appeal will be forwarded to the Migration Court at one of the three administrative courts, in either Stockholm, Göteborg or Malmö. Which court will hear your appeal depends on which Permit Unit rejected your application.
If you have given power of attorney (and thus the right to represent you) to someone in Sweden, that person can write and submit the appeal for you.
Page updated: 2010-08-12
Migrationsverket
