Apply for a residence permit for studies in higher education
Apply for a residence permit
In order to use the e-service, you need
- copies of your passport that show personal data, signature, period of validity and if you have permission to live in countries other than your home country (read more about what the copies must look like)
- admission decision from the higher education organiser in Sweden that shows that you are officially admitted to full-time studies in a programme or courses that require your presence in Sweden
- documents proving that you have sufficient means of financial support
- a copy of documents that show that you have, or have applied for, a comprehensive health insurance policy that is valid in Sweden (if your total stay in Sweden will last less than one year and you are not registered in the Swedish Population Register).
- be able to pay a possible fee for the application with a credit card or charge card (fees for residence permits for studies).
The documents should be translated into Swedish or English by an authorised translator. A copy of the original document must always be included. Make sure that the information on the documents you send is clearly visible. On your passport copies, the numbers and characters at the top and bottom of the passport pages must also be clearly visible.
Important things to know before applying
- Keep in mind that all requirements should be met before you apply, otherwise your application may be rejected. Carefully read the requirements for your application.
- To shorten processing time, make sure that your application is complete. Gather all your necessary documents and make sure they contain all the information that must be included.
- If you intend to support yourself with bank assets, the bank statement you provide as proof of your assets must be issued no more than four months before the start of the period for which you are applying.
- See 5 tips that increase the chance of getting a decision before the start of the semester.
- If you have accompanying family members, you must apply for a permit for them in your residence permit application. Read more about the requirements for co-applicants.
If you are not able to apply online, you must fill out the form Application for a residence permit for students – First-time applicants, 113011, and submit it to a Swedish embassy or consulate-general in your country of residence. Contact the embassy or consulate-general before you submit your application.
The application form specifies which documents to enclose, such as Family details - Appendix to your application, 239011
Pdf, 876.4 kB, opens in new window.
If there is no possibility to submit an application in your country, you must apply at the embassy or consulate-general closest to your country of residence. Contact the embassy or consulate-general before you submit your application for further information.
If your family is accompanying you to Sweden, each family member must submit their own application.
Swedish embassies and consulates-general
External link, opens in new window.
If you are applying at an embassy or consulate-general, you pay the fee when you hand in your application. For more information about the fee, contact the embassy or consulate-general where you are applying, as they do not have the same fees and terms of payment as the Migration Agency.
After you have sent the application
If we need additional documents from you
Once your case officer has started working on your case, they may request additional information from you if we need it to be able to make a decision about your case. In that case, you will be contacted by mail or e-mail, depending on whether you applied via a paper form or made an online application.
Please read the request carefully and send your response as soon as possible, within the requested deadline. Even if we have not received the required information within the requested time, we will make a final decision in your case by that date, based on the information we have.
If your case officer has requested copies of documents, you will receive a link in the request via which you can upload the required documentation. Make sure that the document you attach contains everything requested. Please note that copies of documents already included in your application should not be resubmitted, as we have already checked these and found that they are insufficient.
Time to a decision
In order to obtain an impression how long you need to wait for your decision, you can visit the page Time to a decision. Note that the average time that is shown on the page is calculated based on previously decided cases in the same category. The time can vary from application to application.
If you change your mind and no longer want to apply
If you want to withdraw your application, you must say so in a written letter to the Swedish Migration Agency. In the letter, you must state your name, date of birth, personal identity number (if you have one) and your case number. Also state your telephone number and address so that the Swedish Migration Agency can reach you if we have any questions. You must sign the letter. If you have given a power of attorney to someone, that person can withdraw the application on your behalf.
After the decision has been made
If you applied online, you will receive an email that the decision has been made.
You can then contact the embassy or consulate-general to receive the decision and possibly book an appointment to collect it. When you collect your decision, you must bring your passport with you. Some embassies and consulates-general send out the decision and the permit card in the post. Contact the embassy or consulate-general for more information.
Residence permit card
If you receive a residence permit for more than three months, you will receive a residence permit card. The card is a certification that you have permission to be in Sweden and contains your fingerprints and a photo of you, among other information.
Read more about residence permit cards
If you need an entry visa to travel to Sweden
If you need an entry visa to travel to Sweden and were not photographed and submitted fingerprints when you applied or when you showed your passport, you must visit the embassy or consulate-general so that a permit card can be made for you. This also applies for your family is they apply together with you. Not all embassies or consulates-general have the possibility of taking appointments to photograph you and get your fingerprints. Therefore, always contact the embassy or consulate-general before your visit for more information. When you visit the embassy, you must bring your passport with you.
Swedish embassies and consulates-general External link, opens in new window.
When the card is ready, the embassy or consulate-general will hand out or send it to you. Note that it can take up to four weeks after you have received your decision to manufacture the card and deliver it to the embassy or consulate-general on condition that you have already taken a photo and submitted fingerprints. When you travel into Sweden, you must present the card together with a valid passport.
It is not possible to shorten the time for manufacture and delivery of the card. Once an order of the card has been made, it is also not possible to change where the card will be sent.
If you can travel without an entry visa
If you can travel to Sweden without an entry visa, you may need to present a copy of the decision when you travel in. You may also need to demonstrate the document regarding Information about residence permit card together with the decision when you leave the country.
As soon as you can after arriving in Sweden, you must book an appointment at the Swedish Migration Agency to submit fingerprints and be photographed. When you visit the Swedish Migration Agency, you must bring your passport with you. When the residence permit card is ready, it will be sent to your address in Sweden. It is therefore important that you can provide the address in Sweden when you visit the Swedish Migration Agency to submit fingerprints and be photographed.
It is not possible to shorten the time for manufacture and delivery of the card. Once an order of the card has been made, it is also not possible to change where the card will be sent.
How long the permit is valid
You can receive a residence permit for the time your studies require, but never longer than the validity of your passport. Even if you have been admitted to several years’ studies, you can usually receive a residence permit for a maximum of one year at a time. If you will continue to stay in Sweden after your permit has expired, you must submit an application for a new residence permit. You should apply for the new residence permit before the current permit expires
As a student in a mobility programme within the EU, you can receive a residence permit for the entire programme. As a mobility student, your residence permit card will be marked with the programme’s name.
Read more about extending a residence permit
If the study programme includes studies abroad
You can get a residence permit in Sweden even if you will be staying in another country for part of the permit period, if the stay abroad is part of the study programme that you are admitted to in Sweden. If you are going to another country as a part of the study programme, you should contact the authorities of that country to find out what is required for a stay in that country.
If you have to leave Sweden during semester time for longer than a month for activities that are not part of your study programme, you must contact the unit at the Swedish Migration Agency that granted your residence permit to notify them of this. Longer periods of absence for such other activities during your ongoing permit period can mean that you are no longer entitled to a residence permit in Sweden. This means that the permit can be withdrawn. A withdrawal of a residence permit does not mean that it will be more difficult for you when you apply for a new permit to continue your studies in Sweden. However, it is important that you apply for a new permit in time before returning to Sweden. You must have the new permit before you return to Sweden.
Contact details of the Swedish Migration Agency’s student units (in Swedish)
You are permitted to work
If you have received a residence permit for higher education, you also have the right to work in Sweden during the same time that you have a residence permit. You do not need to have a separate work permit. If you have had a residence permit for higher education and apply for an extension within the period of validity, you still have the right to work until a decision has been made or a possible decision of expulsion has gained legal force. If you seek employment, you should take copies with you of documents that show that you have the right to be and work in Sweden. Also bring your residence permit card. The employer wants to know how long you have a right to work in Sweden and if there are any limitations in your permit. Anyone employing you wants a copy of the documents and will inform the Swedish Tax Agency that you have been employed.
The Swedish Migration Agency can revoke a permit
Your permit can be revoked if you provided incorrect information in your application or did not tell about something of significance to your residence permit. The permit can also be revoked if the conditions for the permit are no longer met, such as if you are no longer studying.
Information for persons arriving in Sweden with a residence permit
Do not forget to save your residence permit decision. It will be useful when contacting various national authorities and organisations.
To register as living in Sweden and obtain a Swedish personal identity number, contact the Swedish Tax Agency, Skatteverket. External link, opens in new window.
To be registered in the social insurance system, contact the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, Försäkringskassan. External link, opens in new window.
Some municipalities have municipal housing agencies where you can look for accommodation. The municipality can also give you advice on private landlords.
The municipality in which you live will offer child care and schooling for children.
For questions about health care, contact the region where you live. Find healthcare in the whole of the country on 1177 Healthcare Service Guide. External link, opens in new window.
For questions about learning Swedish for Immigrants (SFI), contact the municipality you live in. See also the website of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions. External link, opens in new window.
If you are looking for a job you can register with the Swedish Public Employment Service, Arbetsförmedlingen. External link, opens in new window.
The Swedish Pensions Agency External link, opens in new window. has information in Swedish about income support for the elderly for those who come to Sweden late in life and have a low or no pension.
For information about studying at colleges or universities, see Universityadmissions.se External link, opens in new window. or studera.nu. External link, opens in new window.
For questions about student loans and grants, contact CSN. External link, opens in new window.
For questions concerning driving licenses, visit the Swedish Transport Agency. External link, opens in new window.
For questions about the right to vote, contact the Election Authority, Valmyndigheten. External link, opens in new window.
Information from the Swedish National Agency for Education about the Swedish education system can be found at Skolverket. External link, opens in new window.
Information about society in Sweden can be found in a number of languages at informationsverige.se. External link, opens in new window.
For more information on society in Sweden visit the website of the Swedish Institute. External link, opens in new window.
Hej hej Sverige! External link, opens in new window. has simple and inspiring films about how Sweden works.
On the page Learn Swedish on www.informationsverige.se, External link, opens in new window. you will find links to several programmes for learning Swedish on your own.
The information service at the Swedish Consumer Agency External link, opens in new window. can answer your questions about buying goods and services and about contract terms and conditions.
