You have a permit in Sweden – Study Changes to your studies

You have a residence permit for studies in Sweden and your study situation changes.

If the higher education institution or education provider has postponed the start date of your studies to a later date than what is stated in your admission decision, you must inform the Swedish Migration Agency directly.

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If you are planning to change your education programme at the same higher education institution or change higher education institution, you can continue to study under the same residence permit, as long as your studies are at the same level and as long as you meet the conditions for the residence permit, such as the requirement that you be enrolled in full-time studies.

If you will be starting another type of studies than those for which you currently have a residence permit, you must submit a first-time application for the type of studies you intend to start. This means you should not apply to extend your current residence permit.

If, for example, you are currently studying at a folk high school with a residence permit for other studies, but plan to start studying at a higher education institution, you need to apply for a residence permit for studies at higher education.

For most residence permits, you must be outside Sweden when you receive a decision about a first-time application. In some cases, you can apply for a residence permit while you are in Sweden with another valid Swedish residence permit.

The guide below provides support on what applies in different situations. The guide does not provide answers on what the decision in an individual case will be.

If you have a residence permit for studies at the first-cycle, second-cycle, or third-cycle (doctoral) level in Sweden and have completed your studies, you can apply for a residence permit to look for work or explore the possibilities of starting your own business here.

You want to apply – Look for work after completing your studies in Sweden

If you want to take a break from your studies, you need to apply for approved leave from studies at your higher education institution. If your leave is approved but you have no reason to be in Sweden other than your studies, the Swedish Migration Agency can revoke your residence permit for studies.

Even if the Swedish Migration Agency does not revoke your residence permit during your approved leave from studies, it is important to know that the requirements for obtaining an extended permit are the same. This means that an approved leave from studies does not make the rules any less strict; for example, you must show that you have earned enough credits in your education programme.

You can keep your residence permit for studies in Sweden even if you will be spending time in another country during part of the permit period, as long as the stay abroad is part of the education to which you have been admitted in Sweden. If you will be travelling to another country as part of your education, you should contact that country’s authorities to find out what is required to stay in that country.

If you are studying full-time at a university or university college, you must have completed a certain number of credits to be able to extend your residence permit for studies.

If your residence permit was granted on or after 11 June 2026, you must have completed

  • at least 62.5% of the studies required during your first year of study (37.5 credits if you study full-time)
  • at least 75% of the studies required during each subsequent year of study (45 credits per year of study if you study full-time).

If your residence permit was granted before 11 June 2026, the previous rules apply. You must have completed

  • at least 15 credits during your first year of study
  • at least 22.5 credits during your second year of study
  • at least 30 credits during your third and subsequent years of study.

If you do not achieve the results required by the education programme due to illness or a similar reason, then when you submit your extension application you must also provide documents proving your stated reason. For example, if you have been ill, you should submit a doctor’s certificate describing how your ability to study has been affected by your illness.

If you have not earned any higher education credits and have no reason to be in Sweden other than your studies, the Swedish Migration Agency can revoke your residence permit for studies.

If you have interrupted your studies, the Swedish Migration Agency may revoke your residence permit. If the Swedish Migration Agency revokes your permit and you do not plan to study something else, and do not have the right to reside in Sweden on any other grounds, you must leave the country.

In some cases, you can apply for a residence permit while you are in Sweden with another valid Swedish residence permit. For example, this applies if you currently have a residence permit for doctoral studies and are now about to start a job.

The guide below provides support on what applies in different situations. The guide does not provide answers on what the decision in an individual case will be.

News

2026-05-25

New rules for residence permits for studies in higher education

The Swedish Parliament has decided on new rules for those who have or are going to apply for a residence permit for studies in higher education. The rules mean, among other things, limitations on work alongside your studies, higher requirements for study results, and that you must notify the Swedish Migration Agency of your address.

2026-05-25

New rules for researchers and doctoral students

The Swedish Parliament has decided on new rules for researchers and doctoral students. The rules mean, among other things, that doctoral students with a hosting agreement can receive a residence permit for research, that it will be easier to receive a permanent residence permit, and that you can apply for another permit in Sweden in more situations.

The Swedish Migration Agency is responsible for considering applications from people who want to live in Sweden, seek protection or become Swedish citizens. Our work is based on Swedish laws and international conventions, with a focus on legal certainty and effective reception and return.