Sweden Student Residence Permit: Requirements, Fee and Money You Must Show

If you are a non-EU/EEA student admitted to a Swedish university, you generally need a residence permit for studies before you travel. This guide summarises what the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) publishes about first-time applications for higher education. Rules change, so confirm every figure on the official page before you apply.

Who needs this permit?

This guide covers first applications for a residence permit for studies at higher education level (bachelor's and master's). Doctoral students, people extending an existing permit and other study types have their own Migrationsverket pages.

Requirements

According to Migrationsverket, you need:

**A valid passport.** The permit cannot run longer than your passport is valid.

**Final admission to full-time studies in Sweden.** Distance learning does not qualify. At universities, full-time means 30 credits per semester.

**Tuition fees paid before you apply**, if you have to pay them. Your institution informs the Agency once the fee is paid.

**Health insurance**, if your studies last less than one year and you will not be registered in the Swedish population register. Studies of at least one year should lead to registration, which gives access to health and dental care.

**Enough money to support yourself** for the whole permit period (see below).

How much money must you show?

For applications made in 2026, Migrationsverket requires at least **SEK 10,656 per month** (SEK 10,584 per month for 2025 applications).

If your institution or an exchange organisation provides food or housing free of charge, the requirement can be reduced by SEK 2,960 per month (food) and SEK 4,736 per month (housing) for 2026.

If family members come with you, add SEK 4,440 per month for a spouse or partner and SEK 2,664 per month per child.

You can combine bank savings, scholarships, student grants or loans from your home country, a sponsor, or employment income.

Bank statements must be issued no more than four months before your requested start date.

Credit, funds, shares, microfinance assets and locked assets are not accepted, and private individuals cannot act as sponsors.

Application fee

Adults: **SEK 1,500**

Children under 18: **SEK 750**

The fee is not refunded if your application is rejected.

Some applicants pay no fee, including holders of certain scholarships from Sida, the EU, the Swedish Institute or Uppsala University's International Science Programme, provided the scholarship covers living expenses and is paid during the permit period.

Required documents

Copies of your passport

Your admission decision stating final admission to full-time, on-site studies in Sweden

Health insurance documents, if applicable

Proof of maintenance: bank statement, scholarship letter, sponsorship letter, employment certificate, or student grant/loan certificate

For family members: passports, maintenance documents for the whole family, proof of relationship, and (for children) birth records and guardian consent where relevant

Translations must be in Swedish or English and certified, and you must include a copy of the original.

How to apply

1. Wait until you are finally admitted and have paid any tuition fee. Migrationsverket recommends applying as soon as you have both.

2. Apply through the Agency's online e-service (preferred). You must be 18 or older, have a valid email address and be able to pay by Visa or Mastercard. Family members can be included.

3. Alternatively, submit paper form 113011 (student) and form 135011 (each family member) at a Swedish embassy or consulate-general in your country of residence.

4. Complete the passport check. Most applicants receive an email for a digital passport check through an app. Some applicants must visit an embassy to present their passport, attend an interview, or give fingerprints and a photo.

How long does it take?

Migrationsverket does not give a fixed processing time. It states that 75% of recently decided cases were decided within 3 months (based on the last 12 months). Cases are handled in the order received and priority is not available.

Permit length and work rules

A permit is granted for a maximum of one or two years, depending on the institution, and never longer than your studies. If it covers your full studies, two extra weeks are added.

For bachelor's and master's students whose permit is granted on or after 11 June 2026, work is limited to **15 hours per week**, with exceptions such as work that is part of your education and work during June, July and August.

Exceeding the limit can lead to withdrawal of the permit or refusal of an extension.

What changed in 2026

Migrationsverket's page notes the higher maintenance amount for 2026, the 15-hour work limit for permits granted from 11 June 2026, new rules on study results and a duty to notify the Agency of your address, and changes to rules for accompanying family members from 1 October 2026. The page does not detail the study-results standard or the family rules, so check Migrationsverket directly.

FAQ

Can I apply before I am admitted?

No. You must be finally admitted to full-time studies in Sweden.

Do I need health insurance?

Only if your studies last less than one year and you will not be registered in the population register. The insurance must cover emergency and other medical care, hospitalisation, emergency dental care and medically necessary transport home.

Can I bring my family?

Spouses, registered or cohabiting partners and children under 18 can apply at the same time. Family members who apply later submit their own application.

Is there a guaranteed decision date?

No. Only the 3-month figure for 75% of recent cases is published.

*Source: Swedish Migration Agency, "Apply for a residence permit for studies at higher education".*

Sweden Student Residence Permit: Requirements, Fee and Money You Must Show

Who needs this permit?

Requirements

According to Migrationsverket, you need:

**A valid passport.** The permit cannot run longer than your passport is valid.

**Final admission to full-time studies in Sweden.** Distance learning does not qualify. At universities, full-time means 30 credits per semester.

**Tuition fees paid before you apply**, if you have to pay them. Your institution informs the Agency once the fee is paid.

**Enough money to support yourself** for the whole permit period (see below).

How much money must you show?

For applications made in 2026, Migrationsverket requires at least **SEK 10,656 per month** (SEK 10,584 per month for 2025 applications).

If your institution or an exchange organisation provides food or housing free of charge, the requirement can be reduced by SEK 2,960 per month (food) and SEK 4,736 per month (housing) for 2026.

If family members come with you, add SEK 4,440 per month for a spouse or partner and SEK 2,664 per month per child.

You can combine bank savings, scholarships, student grants or loans from your home country, a sponsor, or employment income.

Bank statements must be issued no more than four months before your requested start date.

Credit, funds, shares, microfinance assets and locked assets are not accepted, and private individuals cannot act as sponsors.

Application fee

Adults: **SEK 1,500**

Children under 18: **SEK 750**

The fee is not refunded if your application is rejected.

Required documents

Copies of your passport

Your admission decision stating final admission to full-time, on-site studies in Sweden

Health insurance documents, if applicable

Proof of maintenance: bank statement, scholarship letter, sponsorship letter, employment certificate, or student grant/loan certificate

For family members: passports, maintenance documents for the whole family, proof of relationship, and (for children) birth records and guardian consent where relevant

Translations must be in Swedish or English and certified, and you must include a copy of the original.

How to apply

1. Wait until you are finally admitted and have paid any tuition fee. Migrationsverket recommends applying as soon as you have both.

2. Apply through the Agency's online e-service (preferred). You must be 18 or older, have a valid email address and be able to pay by Visa or Mastercard. Family members can be included.

3. Alternatively, submit paper form 113011 (student) and form 135011 (each family member) at a Swedish embassy or consulate-general in your country of residence.

How long does it take?

Permit length and work rules

A permit is granted for a maximum of one or two years, depending on the institution, and never longer than your studies. If it covers your full studies, two extra weeks are added.

Exceeding the limit can lead to withdrawal of the permit or refusal of an extension.

What changed in 2026

FAQ

Can I apply before I am admitted?

No. You must be finally admitted to full-time studies in Sweden.

Do I need health insurance?

Can I bring my family?

Spouses, registered or cohabiting partners and children under 18 can apply at the same time. Family members who apply later submit their own application.

Is there a guaranteed decision date?

No. Only the 3-month figure for 75% of recent cases is published.

*Source: Swedish Migration Agency, "Apply for a residence permit for studies at higher education".*

Sweden Student Residence Permit: Requirements, SEK 1,500 Fee and Proof of Funds

Sweden Student Residence Permit: Requirements, Fee and Money You Must Show

Who needs this permit?

Requirements

How much money must you show?

Application fee

Required documents

How to apply

How long does it take?

Permit length and work rules

What changed in 2026

FAQ

Can I apply before I am admitted?

Do I need health insurance?

Can I bring my family?

Is there a guaranteed decision date?

Sweden Student Residence Permit: Requirements, SEK 1,500 Fee and Proof of Funds

Sweden Student Residence Permit: Requirements, Fee and Money You Must Show

Who needs this permit?

Requirements

How much money must you show?

Application fee

Required documents

How to apply

How long does it take?

Permit length and work rules

What changed in 2026

FAQ

Can I apply before I am admitted?

Do I need health insurance?

Can I bring my family?

Is there a guaranteed decision date?