Higher-education residence permit

Here you will find information about residence permits for people who want to pursue first- or second-cycle studies at a university, university college, higher vocational education, folk high school at the post-secondary level or exchange studies at a university or university college. This information also applies if you will be carrying out mobility studies.

Here you will find information about residence permits for people who want to pursue first- or second-cycle studies at a university, university college, higher vocational education, folk high school at the post-secondary level or exchange studies at a university or university college. This information also applies if you will be carrying out mobility studies. If you will be studying in Sweden for less than three months, you should not apply for a residence permit.

You must be finally admitted to full-time studies in Sweden. You cannot be granted a residence permit for distance learning as a form of study.

The admission decision must state that you have been finally admitted to full-time studies in a programme or courses, as well as that you will be studying on site in Sweden.

For studies at universities and university colleges, taking 30 credits per semester counts as full-time studies. Studies in other education programmes, such as at a folk high school, must include planned study work averaging at least 20 teaching hours per week.

You must have paid any tuition fees before applying You are only considered to be finally admitted once you have paid your tuition fee.

If you have been admitted to studies that will last less than a year, you need comprehensive health insurance. If you do not have insurance through your higher education institution, you must have or have applied for your own insurance.

Your means of “financial maintenance” must be sufficient for the entire period for which you are applying for a residence permit.

The maintenance requirement is at least SEK 10,656 per month, if you applied in 2026 at least SEK 10,584 per month, if you applied in 2025.

If you are studying at bachelor's or master's level, you may work a maximum of 15 hours per week in Sweden. This applies if your residence permit was granted on or after 11 June 2026.

You may work more than 15 hours per week if the work: is part of your education (for example, an internship) involves student representation, administration, or research at the higher education institution where you study involves artistic research at the institution takes place during June, July, or August

You may also work more than 15 hours per week during the remaining validity period of your permit if you have completed higher education equivalent to at least two semesters and are not applying for a new residence permit for studies below doctoral level.

Your residence permit may be withdrawn if you work more than 15 hours per week. Your application for an extended residence permit may also be refused if you have worked more than 15 hours per week.

If your family will be accompanying you, they can apply at the same time.

“Family members” are considered to include spouses, registered partners, cohabiting partners, and children under the age of 18.

You can be granted a residence permit for a maximum of one or two years, depending on which higher education institution you will be studying at, but not for longer than your studies will last. You can never be granted a residence permit for longer than your passport is valid.

Your residence permit can be extended.

If you are granted a residence permit for the entire duration of your studies, the Swedish Migration Agency will add an extra two weeks to your permit period, to give you enough time to complete your studies and leave the country.