Permanent residence permits for doctoral students
If you have lived in Sweden and had a residence permit for doctoral studies for a total of four years over the past seven years you may be able to get a permanent residence permit. Studies at a PhD-/doctoral level are studies that will lead to a licentiate degree, licentiate degree in design, doctoral degree or a doctoral degree in design.
If you are a British citizen
British citizens who want to work, study or move to someone in Sweden after January 1 2021 must apply for a residence and/or work permit.
British citizens who lived in Sweden with a right of residence until 31 December 2020, and who want to stay, must apply for a residence status.
Requirements for obtaining a permanent residence permit
To obtain a permanent residence permit after you have completed your studies, you must
- have lived in Sweden with a residence permit for doctoral studies for a total of four years over the past seven years. The period is counted from the day you submit your application for a permanent residence permit and seven years back
- be planning to live in Sweden
- apply no earlier than 14 days before your current permit expires.
If your family is also applying for permanent residence permits, you must also
- be able to support yourself and your family and have accommodation that is of the right size and standard to enable you and your family to live together there.
Requirements to use the e-service
In order to use the e-service, you need
- copies of the pages in your passport that show your personal information, photograph, signature, passport number, passport-issuing country, the validity period of the passport, entry stamps and whether you have permission to live in countries other than your country of origin.
- a copy of your place of study’s earlier decision showing that you have been accepted for doctoral studies in Sweden
- a certificate from your supervisor that you have studied or are still studying at doctoral level and giving the start and finish dates of your studies.
- be able to pay a possible fee for the application with a credit card or charge card (fees for residence permits for studies).
If you and your family are applying at the same time, you must also enclose
- copies of the pages in your family members' passports that show their personal information, photograph, signature, passport number, passport-issuing country, the validity period of the passport, entry stamps, and whether they have permission to live in countries other than their country of origin
- copies of marriage certificates or the equivalent (applies to married couples or registered partners)
- documents that show that you have lived together, such as a population registry certificate, joint rental contract or proof of joint purchase of your home if you have lived together outside Sweden
- forms Declaration of Cohabitation, number 242011B, and Family Information, number 238011, which you should complete together
- a birth certificate or other proof of birth for any children showing the names of the parents
- consent from the other guardian, if they are not also coming to Sweden,
or proof that a family member is the sole guardian. This could be a court order, or a death certificate if the other parent has died. If there is joint guardianship, a copy of the other guardian’s passport or another form of identification must also be provided. This applies to children under 18 - adoption papers if the child is adopted.
Check that the information on the documents you send is clearly visible. On passport copies, the figures and characters at the top and bottom of the passport pages must also be clearly visible and legible. The documents should be translated into Swedish or English by an authorised translator. You must always send us a copy of the original document.
you are not able to apply online, you must fill out the form Application for permanent residence permit for doctoral studies, number 117011, and Family details – Appendix to your application, number 239011.
Send your application to the Swedish Migration Agency, Box 3100, 903 03 Umeå.
The application form specifies which documents to enclose.
Application for permanent residence permit for doctoral studies, form number 117011
Family details – Appendix to your application, form number 239011
Application by co-applicants to students and doctoral students, form number 135011
In most cases you must pay a fee.
What is a power of attorney?
A power of attorney can be a signed letter in which the person applying for a permit allows another person to represent him or her. A power of attorney can, for example, give someone the right to apply, be informed of the reasons for a decision, or lodge an appeal for someone else. The power of attorney must be signed by the person who gives their power of attorney to another person, and must be presented in the original if required by the Swedish Migration Agency.
In order to give another person power of attorney, you will need to send a letter to the Swedish Migration Agency stating
- that it is a power of attorney
- the name, date of birth and address of the person giving someone else the power of attorney
- what the person who has the power of attorney has to do
- the name, personal identity number and address of the person who is given the power of attorney
- the signature of the person giving someone else the power of attorney
- the date and place where the power of attorney is signed.