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How to apply

To get a decision in time for the start of the courses, it is important that you apply for a residence permit immediately once you have received your notification of acceptance. In order to get a decision as quickly as possible, you should apply online and pay the partial fee of the tuition fee.
You must apply for a residence permit from your country of origin, or where you are residing legally. Your permit must be complete before you can enter Sweden. This applies even if you have a residence permit for studies in another EU country, and the permit gives you the right to visit here for three months. If your stay in Sweden will exceed three months, the permit must be complete prior to entry.

How to apply


You can submit an application online. When you submit an online application you receive instructions on how to fill in your application and which documents you must send. Make sure to apply in good time before your studies begin. Most people will receive a response to their application within 3 months. Note that you cannot apply online before you have paid the partial fee of the tuition fee.

If you are unable to apply online, fill in the form Application for residence permits for students and doctoral students, no. 104031 and hand it in to a Swedish embassy or consulate general in the country you live. Contact the embassy or consulate generalexternal link, opens in new window before you hand in your application. If the studies in Sweden form a part of an educational programme you started for example in another EU country, you can also submit your application in the country you studied.

You will probably be required to pay an application fee.

If you obtain a permit, you will also receive a residence permit card. The card, which is proof that you have the right to be in Sweden, contains your photo and fingerprints. In order for the Swedish Migration Board to issue a residence permit card, you must be photographed and fingerprinted when you submit your application or at a later time, for example, when you have received a residence permit.

Enclose the following documents with your application


It is important that you submit all documents required to the Swedish Migration Board. Failing to submit the necessary documents may lead to the processing of your application taking longer. As a result, you risk not receiving a decision before your chosen course of study begins.

Enclose the following documents:

  • a copy of the passport pages that clearly show your personal details and passport validity. If you have been granted permission to stay in countries other than your native country, please enclose a copy of the passport pages verifying this
  • a letter of acceptence showing that you have been admitted to full-time study
  • copy of the document that proves that you have comprehensive health insurance that is valid in Sweden if you plan to study in Sweden for less than one year. If you have taken out an insurance through the university or college (academic institution), please enclose a copy of the insurance certificate
  • a bank statement showing that you have your own funds to support yourself. The bank statement should be recent and in English, or
  • documents issued in your name to verify that you have been granted a scholarship or equivalent (e.g. student financial support) with details of the monthly amount payable and period of time during which you are entitled to such financial support, or
  • a document showing that you have been awarded a study grant or a wage (applies to doctoral students) with details of the amount and the period during which you will receive the money.

If permission is required from a central bank or equivalent to move money out of your country, you must enclose the relevant certificate with your application.

Check the requirements of Swedish embassy or consulate general


Note that the embassy or consulate general where you submit your application may require additional documents. You will find more information and contact information on the website of the relevant embassy or consulate generalexternal link, opens in new window.

Faster decision if complete information has been submitted


The Migration Board first processes applications for which complete information and all necessary documents have been submitted. In other words, you will receive a faster decision if you send everything we need together with your application than if you add information afterwards.

Remember that the Migration Board might have to investigate your application further even if you submit all the information and documents that we have asked for.

Current waiting time

After the decision has been made


The decision will be sent to the Swedish mission abroad that you specified in your web application or where you applied.

If you need a visa for travel to Swedenexternal link, opens in new window but have not previously been photographed and had your fingerprints taken, you will need to visit the embassy or consulate general to do so. When the residence permit card is ready, the embassy or consulate general will hand out or send the card to you. Note that it may take up to four weeks after you receive your decision, to make the card and deliver it to the embassy or consulate general.

If you do not need a visa for travel to Sweden, you should be able to show a copy of the decision when you arrive. As soon as possible after you have arrived in Sweden, you should visit the Migration Board to be fingerprinted and photographed. When your residence permit card is ready, it will be sent to your address in Sweden.

You may work


You may work over the same period as the residence permit. You do not need a special work permit.

The permit validity period


If the period of study is less than a year, you will be granted a residence permit which is valid for the length of the study period. You will be granted a residence permit for the intended study period but never for longer than your passport is valid. Residence permits are usually only granted for twelve months at a time. If you need to stay longer, e.g. because you need to resit an exam, you can apply for an extension to your residence permit.

Important information about insurance


You will not be registered in Sweden, which means that you will not be eligible for social benefits if you receive a permit for less than one year. Make sure to have an insurance policy that will cover any costs that may arise in connection with illness, injury, etc.
Page updated: 2013-04-17