In short: To study in Sweden as an international student you apply for: Residence permit for studies in higher education. Online e-service; if you cannot use it, paper forms are submitted at a Swedish embassy or consulate-general where you live. SEK 1,500 for adults and SEK 750 for children under 18; paid when applying and not refunded if rejected. 75% of recently decided cases were decided within 3 months (last 12 months statistics). Every line on this page was read on an official page, which is linked beside it; the facts were last checked on 6 October 2026.
| Visa or permit | Residence permit for studies in higher education |
|---|---|
| Application fee | SEK 1,500 (migrationsverket.se) |
| Money to show | SEK 10,656 per month, for the entire permit period (migrationsverket.se) |
| Processing time | 75% of recently decided cases were decided within 3 months (last 12 months statistics). (migrationsverket.se) |
| Where you apply | Online e-service; if you cannot use it, paper forms are submitted at a Swedish embassy or consulate-general where you live. (migrationsverket.se) |
| Last checked |
Authority: Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket). Official portal: Swedish Migration Agency.
An admission decision stating final admission to full-time, on-site studies; distance learning does not qualify.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
Tuition must be paid before applying; you count as finally admitted only after payment, which the university reports.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
At least SEK 10,656 per month (2026 applications) for the whole permit period; extra SEK 4,440/month for a partner and SEK 2,664/month per child.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
SEK 1,500 for adults and SEK 750 for children under 18; paid when applying and not refunded if rejected. No online/paper price difference stated.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
| Charge | Amount | What the official page says | Source, checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa fee (government) | SEK 1,500 | SEK 1,500 for adults and SEK 750 for children under 18; paid when applying and not refunded if rejected. No online/paper price difference stated. | migrationsverket.se, 15 September 2026 |
Online e-service; if you cannot use it, paper forms are submitted at a Swedish embassy or consulate-general where you live.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
You apply in the Swedish Migration Agency e-service and name the Swedish embassy or consulate-general you would visit. You may then be asked to present your passport there, or do a digital passport check by app.
Swedish Migration Agency e-service for first- or second-cycle studies: migrationsverket.se · form: Paper alternative only: Application for a residence permit for students, first-time application (113011)
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
The application fee is paid online by Visa or Mastercard payment card when you submit the e-service application. Some scholarship holders pay no fee.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
You may have to present your passport or be interviewed at a Swedish embassy or consulate-general before a decision. In some places the interview is held by video link.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
You follow your application by logging in to My page on the Swedish Migration Agency website. You also get an email when the decision is made if you applied in the e-service.
Official tracking page: migrationsverket.se
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
The official page shows that 75% of recently decided cases (last 12 months) were decided within 3 months. This figure changes, so check the page again before applying.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
You get an email when the decision is made, and the decision is posted to the embassy or representative you chose; sometimes you must book an appointment to collect it. Fingerprints and photo taken at the embassy (or after arrival, if you did a digital passport check) are used to make your residence permit card.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
The Swedish Migration Agency contacts you if it needs more information, and you send what is asked for. Applications are handled in the order received and cannot be prioritised.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
Steps as read on the official pages; checked on 15 September 2026.
75% of recently decided cases were decided within 3 months (last 12 months statistics).
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
Before a decision you present your passport and give fingerprints and a photo at an embassy, unless offered a digital passport check.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
Comprehensive health insurance is required only for studies under one year; longer studies should register in the population register instead.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
No TB test or medical examination is listed on the official page.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
No police certificate is listed on the official page.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
No separate language requirement is listed among the residence permit requirements.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
Documents should be in Swedish or English; translations must be certified and accompanied by a copy of the original.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
The official page does not mention legalisation or apostille for this permit.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
Bachelor/master students with permits granted from 11 June 2026 may work max 15 hours/week; unlimited June–August. A post-study permit to look for work exists.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
Spouse, registered or cohabiting partner and children under 18 can apply at the same time; you must support them financially.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
From 11 June 2026, notify the Migration Agency of your address within 30 days unless your population registration is completed.
Source: migrationsverket.se · checked on
The official pages say more for applicants in: Pakistan.
Which office handles applications from some other countries, as the official pages state:
ForiForeign prepares your student visa application with you and guides you through each step: the documents, the forms and the order to do them in. You file the application yourself with the authority named above, and that authority decides. ForiForeign is not a visa office or an agent of Sweden, and no one can promise a visa. Rules, fees and dates change: confirm each one on the official page linked beside it before you pay or travel.
The same facts for software and AI assistants: /facts/visa/se.json.
ForiForeign.com · admin@foriforeign.com · WhatsApp +92 310 5048760 · Information drawn from official sources shown on each rule; not legal advice.
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