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Student Visas to Study in Sweden

Jan 31, 2014

Do I need a student visa to study in Sweden?

This depends on your country of citizenship, that is, whether you are an EU/EEA/Nordic citizen, a Swiss citizen, or not. The length of time you'll be studying in Sweden - less than or more than three months -  can also affect whether or not you'll need to apply for a residence permit.

Scroll down for the general requirements for citizens of different countries.

EU/ EEA Citizens

If you're an EU / EEA citizen, you don't need to apply for a visa or residence permit to study in Sweden.

If you’re planning to stay in Sweden for more than a year, you should register in the Swedish Population Register. You will then get a Swedish personal identity number – a “personnummer”.

Swiss Citizens

Citizens of Switzerland won’t need a visa or residence permit to enter Sweden.

If you're staying over 3 months, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit before you come to Sweden. But you can start studying in Sweden even before your application is processed.

If you’re planning to stay in Sweden for more than a year, you should register in the Swedish Population Register. You will then get a Swedish personal identity number – a “personnummer”.

Non-EU / EEA / Swiss Citizens

Depending on your country of citizenship, you may need to apply for a visa before you enter Sweden. Citizens of some countries do not need to apply for a visa if they are planning to stay in Sweden for less than 3 months.

If you're planning to stay in Sweden for more than 3 months, you’re required to apply for a residence permit before you move to Sweden.

If you’re planning to stay in Sweden for more than a year, you should register in the Swedish Population Register. You should ensure that your residence permit is valid for at least one year.  You will then get a Swedish personal identity number – a “personnummer”.

If you've determined that you'll need to apply for a visa or residence permit, click on the link below to learn about the paperwork and documentation you'll need, and the official government websites to submit your application.

Learn more about studying in Sweden:

Overview

Sweden is known for its openness toward the international community – and its education system is no exception.

Entry Requirements

In order to study in Sweden, you'll need to meet general entry requirements in addition to program-specific entry requirements.

Tuition Fees & Study Costs

How expensive is it to study in Sweden? Yearly higher education costs in Sweden vary depending on the university and program.

Student Stories

Read about the experiences that other international students like you have had during their studies abroad in Sweden.

Application Process

Applying to universities in Sweden is a lot simpler than other countries thanks to a centralized application system.

Swedish Universities

Swedish universities offer degree programs according to the European standard. Browse a full list of higher education institutes in Sweden.

Swedish Culture

Depending on the country you grew up in, you may or may not be surprised by the differences you encounter while studying in Sweden. So what is it like to study in Sweden on a cultural level?

Learn Swedish

Swedish is a northern Germanic language and is closely related to Norwegian and Danish. If you do want to learn Swedish, most Universities offer language courses for international students.

Student Life

Wondering what it's like to study abroad in Sweden? Leaving your country to study abroad is about more than just the classroom!

Student Jobs

Sweden grants international students the right to work while they study. And if you're from an EU/EEA country, you automatically have the right to stay and work after your studies.

Scholarships

There are many opportunities for international students studying in Sweden to receive scholarships, both from universities, and from other governmental and private organizations.

The content of this study guide has been developed in partnership with Study in Sweden.

About Study in Sweden


Studyinsweden.se is a comprehensive, official resource on studying in Sweden for prospective and current international students. Studyinsweden.se is built and maintained by the Swedish Institute, a public agency tasked with promoting Sweden abroad. 

Keystone Team

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The Keystone Team is comprised of experienced educators and advisors dedicated to providing valuable resources and advice to students all over the world.