Students from outside the EU/EEA require a residence permit to study in Sweden. The authority responsible for issuing residence permits in Sweden is the Swedish Migration Agency. Find your category below to see exactly what applies to you.
Students from outside EU/EEA must apply for a residence permit for studies from the Swedish Migration Agency. Applications for a residence permit can under no circumstances be submitted after entering Sweden.
If you are to support yourself with your own funds, you must submit your application no earlier than three months before the date you are applying for a residence permit from. This is because you will need to be able to show that you can support yourself close to the beginning of the study time and that your actions will not get too old.
Letter of Acceptance/Notification of Selection Results as proof of admission to KTH and the duration of your studies (use the official notification printable pdf-file)
Financial Support. You must show that you have secured financial support for the entire period for which you are applying for a residence permit. You need to have a minimum of SEK 8,568 per month for the entire study period, and be able to show a financial statement from your personal bank account.
Proof of payment of the residence permit application fee (SEK 1500)
A copy of documents showing that you have, or have applied for, comprehensive health insurance in Sweden (if you are admitted to studies for less than one year).
NB: Make sure to extend your passport if it is about to expire — you can not obtain a permit for longer than your passport's period of validity.
To ensure the fastest possible decision:
Pay the first installment of the tuition fee (if this applies to you). Invoices will be sent out in April.
Apply online at the Migration Agency's website
Fill out the entire application
Enclose all required documents (see list above)
Have your picture and fingerprints taken when you apply
If you are staying in Sweden for longer than your resident permit is approved for, you will have to apply for an extension of your residence permit. We strongly advise you to apply for an extension 6 months before your current permit expires, since the decision and renewal process may take a while. More detailed information from the Swedish Migration Agency.
You are entitled to stay in Sweden while the extension application is being processed. However, if you leave Sweden during this process, you must return before your current residence permit expires or be prepared to wait for your decision outside of Sweden. Please pay attention to this when you are planning your travels.
The Migration Agency requires that you leave your biometric data (i.e. fingerprints and photograph) for each new residence permit card that is issued. The biometric data are only stored on the card's chip and not saved anywhere else. For this reason, it is necessary to be fingerprinted and photographed each time you renew your residence permit card. Read more about how to leave your biometrics at the Swedish Migration Agency's permit unit.
Students who have been granted a residence permit for studies and have completed their studies can apply for a work permit to seek employment or examine the possibilities of starting their own business in Sweden. This residence permit is valid for 12 months. You should apply before your current residence permit for studies expires but after you have completed your studies.
As an EU citizen you have the right to study, work or live in Sweden without a residence permit and you do not need to contact the Swedish Migration Agency. Nordic citizens can live and work in Sweden without registration of residence or a work permit.
If you are a citizen of Switzerland you must apply for a residence permit upon arrival if you are staying in Sweden for more than three months.
Once you have submitted your application you can check if your application or appeal has been registered as received by the Swedish Migration Agency and if a decision has been made in your case.
Foreign students are allowed to work in Sweden during their period of study. No additional work permit is needed. However, be aware that it is difficult to find a part-time job in Stockholm, especially if you do not speak Swedish.
