Path to staying
- Study12 months, renewable
- Post-study workup to 12 months
- Permanent residencyafter 5 years
- Citizenshipafter 5 years
Overview
- Country
- Sweden
- Visa name
- Residence Permit for Higher Education Studies
- Local name
- Uppehallstillstand for hogre utbildning
- Status
- Active
- Duration
- 12 months
- Renewable
- Yes
Sweden's residence permit for international students pursuing higher education at Swedish universities. Notable for unlimited work hours alongside studies and free tuition for EU/EEA citizens. High quality of life and strong English proficiency make it an attractive destination despite tuition fees for non-EU students.
Tuition and costs
- Tuition policy
- Mixed
- Free condition
- Free for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and those with permanent residence in Sweden.
- Tuition range
- $0 – $17,200/year
- Proof of funds
- $13,746/month
- Funds type
- Bank statement
- Scholarships
- Available
EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: free tuition at public universities. Non-EU/EEA: SEK 80,000-295,000/yr (USD 8,600-31,700) depending on program. Engineering, natural sciences, and medicine tend to cost more. Swedish Institute scholarships available for non-EU students.
Work rights during study
- Work allowed
- Yes
- Hours
- Unlimited
- Permission
- Automatic
- Freelance
- Allowed
Unlimited work hours during studies, one of the most generous policies in Europe. However, students must show satisfactory academic progress to maintain their permit. Working should not interfere with study obligations.
Post-study work options
| Program | Type | Duration | Min degree | Work | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residence Permit to Seek Employment After Studies | Job seeker | 12 mo | Masters | Unrestricted | No |
Language requirements
| Test | Purpose | Language | Min score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Admission | English | 6.5 | No section below 5.5 |
| TISUS (Swedish proficiency) | Admission | Swedish | Pass | Required for Swedish-taught programs only. TISUS (Test in Swedish for University Studies) or Swedish 3 / Swedish B from upper secondary school. |
Fees and costs
| Fee | Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residence Permit Application Fee | Application | $161 | One time |
| University Application Fee | Registration | $97 | One time |
Dependents and family
- Dependents
- Allowed
- Restriction
- Spouse/partner and children under 21. Must prove sufficient funds for the whole family.
- Spouse work
- Unrestricted
- Conditions
- Spouse with residence permit as dependent of student has unrestricted work rights.
Long-term pathway
- Post-study visa
- Available
- Work permit
- Possible
- Permanent residency
- After 5 years
- Citizenship
- After 5 years
- Study time counts
- 100% credit
How to apply
- Method
- Online
- Processing
- 30-90 days
- Interview
- Not required
- Official site
- www.migrationsverket.se
- Health insurance
- Required (buy separately)
Notes and caveats
Apply via Swedish Migration Agency online portal. University admission through universityadmissions.se. Application fee of SEK 900 required for university application (separate from permit fee). Must show study progress to extend permit. Personnummer (personal identity number) obtained after arrival for stays of 12+ months.
Also in Sweden
Last verified Mar 21, 2026 Source