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Student Residence Permit (Uppehållstillstånd för studier)

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Source check: all 10 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026

Residence permit for international students at Swedish universities — first- and second-cycle students are generally capped at 15 work hours per week during semesters.

Requires sponsorshipDoes not lead to permanent residencyUp to 1 or 2 years depending on the institution and programme; never longer than the studies or passport validity.
Processing time
About 2 months for recently decided higher-education study cases.
Government fees
SEK 1,500 for adults; SEK 750 for children under 18. Some scholarship holders, World Maritime University students, and Japanese citizens are fee-exempt.
Typical duration
Up to 1 or 2 years depending on the institution and programme; never longer than the studies or passport validity.
Sponsorship required
Yes
Leads to permanent residency
No
Reviewed Migrationsverket ↗

In short

As of 8 July 2026, the Student Residence Permit (Uppehållstillstånd för studier) for Kingdom of Sweden is a sponsor-led Sweden immigration route. Sources: official Kingdom of Sweden government pages, reviewed 8 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/sweden/student-permit-sweden#answer

What is the Student Residence Permit (Uppehållstillstånd för studier) in Kingdom of Sweden?

Student Residence Permit (Uppehållstillstånd för studier) is a sponsor-led Sweden route. Indicative government fees are SEK 1,500 for adults; SEK 750 for children under 18. Some scholarship holders, World Maritime University students, and Japanese citizens are fee-exempt; indicative processing time is About 2 months for recently decided higher-education study cases; typical duration is Up to 1 or 2 years depending on the institution and programme; never longer than the studies or passport validity. This route does not lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Migrationsverket on 1 July 2026.

Overview

Sweden issues residence permits for international students accepted at Swedish universities and higher-education institutions. Since 11 June 2026, first- and second-cycle student permit holders are generally limited to 15 hours of work per week during semesters, with unlimited work in June, July, and August and exceptions for certain university-connected work. After completing bachelor's or master's level studies, graduates can apply for a job-seeker permit for up to 1 year; doctoral graduates can receive between 1 year and 18 months. Tuition is free for EU/EEA students; non-EU students pay tuition fees (typically SEK 80,000–280,000/year depending on the programme).

Guidance by nationality

Specific information for applicants from these countries. Don’t see yours? The general eligibility criteria above apply to everyone.

Additional sources

Eligibility

Typical criteria

Common blockers

Typical evidence

Application pathway

  1. Secure admission and pay tuition

    Accept your offer and pay tuition (or confirm scholarship). Apply via universityadmissions.se for most programmes.

  2. Apply for student residence permit

    Apply online through Migrationsverket.

  3. Study and follow work-hour rules

    For first- and second-cycle study permits granted under the current rules, work is generally capped at 15 hours per week during semesters, with unlimited work in June, July, and August and limited exceptions.

  4. Apply for job-seeker permit after graduation

    After completing bachelor's or master's level studies, apply for a job-seeker permit for up to 1 year. Doctoral graduates can receive between 1 year and 18 months.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Student Residence Permit (Uppehållstillstånd för studier), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

  1. 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
  2. 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
  3. 3. Confirm what you may do. Coordinate enrolment and attendance with the institution. Check the actual work conditions before accepting a job or freelance work.
  4. 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
  5. 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official Student Residence Permit (Uppehållstillstånd för studier) instructionsBuild my moving plan for this routeMoving to Sweden

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Sweden. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

  1. ApplyApplicant
    Apply for a study residence permit ↗

    Use the official higher-education study page to prepare and submit the student residence-permit application.

    Swedish Migration Agency · verified

Matches these professions

Student

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Frequently asked questions

Can I work while studying in Sweden?+

Usually yes, but not without limits. Since 11 June 2026, first- and second-cycle student permit holders are generally limited to 15 hours per week during semesters, with unlimited work in June, July, and August and exceptions for certain work linked to the university or education programme. Doctoral and other categories can have different rules.

Is there a post-study work visa in Sweden?+

Yes. After completing bachelor's or master's level studies, graduates can apply for a job-seeker permit for up to 1 year; doctoral graduates can receive between 1 year and 18 months. This gives you time to find qualifying employment and transition to a standard work permit. The current standard work-permit salary threshold is SEK 34,470/month.

How much money do I need to show for a Swedish student residence permit?+

For 2026 applications, you must show financial means of at least SEK 10,656 per month for the study period, typically via bank statements, and non-EU students must also have paid tuition or confirmed a scholarship. Always check the current figure on Migrationsverket.

How much is tuition in Sweden for a non-EU student?+

Tuition is free for EU/EEA students. Non-EU students pay fees that typically range from SEK 80,000 to SEK 280,000 per year depending on the programme. Confirm the exact fee with your university.

What does a Swedish student residence permit cost and how long does it take to decide?+

The current adult application fee is SEK 1,500, with a SEK 750 fee for children under 18. Migrationsverket's recent-case statistics show about 2 months for higher-education study permit decisions, but you should always check the current fee and waiting-time pages before applying.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

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How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Migrationsverket

Last checked: 1 July 2026

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