To study in Sweden, you need to apply for a residence permit for higher education.
Here are some tips on how you can increase your chances of getting a decision on a residence permit before the semester begins:
Once you have received the acceptance letter from the higher education institution – for example a university –, find out whether you need to pay a tuition fee to the higher education institution.
After you have paid any tuition fees, apply for a residence permit for higher education at the Swedish Migration Agency as soon as possible. This gives us more time to process your application, and thus increases the chance that you will be notified before the semester starts.
The easiest way to apply for a residence permit for higher education is to do it via the e-service. Read more on the page Apply for a residence permit for studies at higher education.
Collect all your important documents. If you need to supplement with more documents later, it will take longer for you to receive a decision.
Make sure you have a valid passport. You can only get a residence permit for as long as your passport is valid.
You may be asked to present your passport in person at an embassy or consulate general. You need to do this before the Swedish Migration Agency can make a decision on your application for a residence permit.
In some cases, you can have your passport checked digitally, instead of showing it in person.
Read more about the digital passport check e-service
Remember to also report your change of address to the Tax Agency:
Report a change of address as a student External link.
2026-05-25
New rules for residence permits for studies in higher education
The Swedish Parliament has decided on new rules for those who have or are going to apply for a residence permit for studies in higher education. The rules mean, among other things, limitations on work alongside your studies, higher requirements for study results, and that you must notify the Swedish Migration Agency of your address.
2026-05-25
New rules for researchers and doctoral students
The Swedish Parliament has decided on new rules for researchers and doctoral students. The rules mean, among other things, that doctoral students with a hosting agreement can receive a residence permit for research, that it will be easier to receive a permanent residence permit, and that you can apply for another permit in Sweden in more situations.
2026-01-26
It is now easier to log in to the Swedish Migration Agency's e-services
Starting Tuesday 27 January, it will be easier to log in to the Swedish Migration Agency's e-services and access more services. If you log in with a username and password, you no longer need a mobile phone number.
2025-12-04
More Afghans may be able to receive passports from their home country
The Swedish Migration Agency estimates that Afghan authorities are now able to issue national passports to their citizens within a reasonable time. This means that Afghan citizens with a residence permit in Sweden no longer automatically have the right to an alien’s passport. Instead, the Swedish Migration Agency will review each application for an alien’s passport individually.
2025-12-03
The Migration Agency’s drop-in service closes on 1 January
On 1 January, the Swedish Migration Agency’s service centre will close for drop-in visits. If you have any questions about your case, please contact the Swedish Migration Agency by telephone or via My page. For guidance and assistance with your application, or with using the Swedish Migration Agency’s digital services, please visit the National Government Service Centre.
2025-12-01
The embassies in Dar es Salaam, Harare, Maputo and Singapore will stop handling migration cases
As of 15 December, the Swedish embassies in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Harare (Zimbabwe), Maputo (Mozambique) and Singapore (Singapore) will no longer handle migration cases. You must then contact other Swedish embassies.
2025-09-15
The embassy in Beirut has had its migration operations paused since October 2024. From 1 October, 2025, the embassy will not handle migration cases at all. You should then instead turn to the Swedish embassy in Amman, Jordan.
2025-09-15
As of 1 October, the consulate-general in Jerusalem will no longer handle migration cases. You should instead contact another foreign mission in the area that has a migration assignment.
2025-09-15
As of 1 October, the embassy in Tel Aviv will no longer handle migration cases. Instead, you should contact another foreign mission in the region or within the Schengen area that handles migration cases.