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Employers of visiting researchers
A university, institute or company that wants to employ a visiting researcher must be approved as a research organisation by the National Agency for Higher Education (Högskoleverket). A visiting researcher is a person who has undergone higher education which gives access to doctoral studies and the purpose of the stay is to take part in research work.
A person planning to work longer than three months as a visiting researcher must have a residence permit. Visiting researchers who plan to work for a period shorter than three months in Sweden do not need a residence permit. For work that is shorter than three months, citizens in certain countries must have an entry visa; see link in the right column.
Someone who wants to employ a visiting researcher must be approved as a research organisation by the National Agency for Higher Education (Högskoleverket). For more information about what is required in order to be an approved research organisation, see link to the right. The research organisation must also prepare a hosting agreement with the visiting researcher.
Hosting agreement
A hosting agreement shows that the visiting researcher has undertaken to conduct a research assignment and that the research organisation hosts the visiting researcher. It must be signed by both parties.
The hosting agreement must also contain details of:
The visiting researcher must apply for a residence permit in his/her country of origin or another country outside Sweden in which he/she resides.
The Swedish Migration Board normally approves a permit one year at a time or for the period covered by the hosting agreement.
Extending a permit
The visiting researcher can only have an extension for the duration of the research project as covered by the hosting agreement.
Husband/wife or common law spouse or minor children under 18 are eligible for residence permits for the same period as the visiting researcher. The husband, wife or common-law spouse can also obtain a work permit if the visiting researcher is granted a permit for at least six months.
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 to find out which insurance protection applies to the visiting researcher and accompanying family members.
If the Swedish Migration Board rejects the application for a residence permit, the visiting researcher may appeal the decision within three weeks of the date he or she was given the decision. The appeal is submitted to the Swedish Migration Board.
Requirements for employing a visiting researcher
Someone who wants to employ a visiting researcher must be approved as a research organisation by the National Agency for Higher Education (Högskoleverket). For more information about what is required in order to be an approved research organisation, see link to the right. The research organisation must also prepare a hosting agreement with the visiting researcher.
Hosting agreement
A hosting agreement shows that the visiting researcher has undertaken to conduct a research assignment and that the research organisation hosts the visiting researcher. It must be signed by both parties.
The hosting agreement must also contain details of:
- purpose, duration and funding of the research project
- the visiting researcher's qualifications to complete the assignment
- the visiting researcher's terms of employment
- comprehensive health insurance if the visiting researcher plans to stay for less than one year in Sweden
- sufficient funds for support of the visiting researcher during his/her stay in Sweden and for the return journey. For more information about the amounts applicable, see the website of the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education.
Applying for a residence permit
The visiting researcher must apply for a residence permit in his/her country of origin or another country outside Sweden in which he/she resides.
Permit validity period
The Swedish Migration Board normally approves a permit one year at a time or for the period covered by the hosting agreement.
Extending a permit
The visiting researcher can only have an extension for the duration of the research project as covered by the hosting agreement.
Permits for family members
Husband/wife or common law spouse or minor children under 18 are eligible for residence permits for the same period as the visiting researcher. The husband, wife or common-law spouse can also obtain a work permit if the visiting researcher is granted a permit for at least six months.
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 to find out which insurance protection applies to the visiting researcher and accompanying family members.
Right to appeal
If the Swedish Migration Board rejects the application for a residence permit, the visiting researcher may appeal the decision within three weeks of the date he or she was given the decision. The appeal is submitted to the Swedish Migration Board.
If the Board upholds its decision, the 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 the appeal depends on which Permit Unit rejected your application.
If the visiting researcher has given power of attorney (and thus the right to represent him/her) to someone in Sweden, that person can write and submit the appeal for him/her.
Page updated: 2011-05-18
Migrationsverket
