SwedenStudy
Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.
Studies in an EU or multilateral programme in Sweden, for students who do not have a residence permit for mobility studies in another EU country.
You are studying or will be studying in an EU or multilateral programme in Sweden and do not have a residence permit for mobility studies in any other EU country.
The Migration Agency's higher-education guidance, which it states also applies to mobility studies, covers first- or second-cycle studies at a university, university college, higher vocational education, folk high school at post-secondary level, or exchange studies at a university or university college.
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.
Under the higher-education rules: the student must be finally admitted to full-time studies in Sweden (no distance learning); is only finally admitted once any tuition fee is paid; must meet a maintenance requirement of at least SEK 10,656 per month (applications in 2026); and needs comprehensive health insurance if admitted to studies lasting less than a year.
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.
You are only considered to be finally admitted once you have paid your tuition fee.
The maintenance requirement is
at least SEK 10,656 per month, if you applied in 2026
If you have been admitted to studies that will last less than a year, you need comprehensive health insurance.
Under the higher-education rules, a student at bachelor's or master's level may work a maximum of 15 hours per week if the permit was granted on or after 11 June 2026; working more may lead to withdrawal of the permit or refusal of an extension. Family members (spouses, registered partners, cohabiting partners and children under 18) can apply at the same time.
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.
Your residence permit may be withdrawn if you work more than 15 hours per week.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 any of your family members also want to apply for a residence permit, they can do so at the same time as you. “Family members” are considered to include spouses, registered partners, cohabiting partners, and children under the age of 18.
Students admitted to an EU or multilateral mobility programme without a permit from another EU country apply for the higher-education residence permit (the higher-education information also applies to mobility studies). That permit is granted for a maximum of one or two years depending on the institution, not longer than the studies or the passport, and can be extended; to continue in the EU/multilateral programme the holder applies for an extension of the higher-education permit. After completing higher-education studies (programme of at least two semesters, all courses passed), a residence permit to look for work or explore starting a business can be granted if applied for before the study permit expires: up to one year after bachelor's/master's level, between one year and 18 months after doctoral studies.
If you have been admitted to an EU programme or multilateral programme in which you will conduct your studies in several EU countries, but do not have a residence permit for your stay in Sweden, you must apply for a residence permit for studies at higher education.
This information also applies if you will be carrying out mobility studies.
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 have a residence permit for mobility studies in Sweden and intend to continue studying in an EU union programme or multilateral programme, you can extend your residence permit. To do so, you must apply for an extension of your residence permit for studies at higher education.
If you have a residence permit for higher education in Sweden, i.e., studies at the first-cycle, second-cycle, or third-cycle (doctoral) level, and have completed your studies here, you can be granted a residence permit to look for work or explore the possibilities of starting your own business here.
You must submit your application before your current permit for higher education expires
You must have completed a higher education programme lasting at least two semesters
This means that you must have completed the entire education programme to which you were first admitted and have passed all your courses.
After completing bachelor’s or master’s level studies, you can be granted a residence permit for up to one year. After completing doctoral studies, you can be granted a residence permit for between one year and 18 months.
These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.
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Not legal advice. No eligibility verdict or ranking. Check the linked sources before applying.