How to Obtain a Student Visa in Sweden?

We have previously talked about studying in Sweden and what distinguishes it among the European countries in terms of disciplines and programs. Especially, it is the origin and home of Nobel Prize.

Depending on the purpose of traveling to Sweden, there are several types of visas. Therefore, we will list how to obtain a student visa in Sweden for international students, as well as the steps and procedures in a clear and simplified way.

Besides, for more information, read the article “Do you think about studying in Sweden?”

Student visa vs Residence permit in Sweden

• To obtain a student visa in Sweden, you have to apply for it online or visit the Swedish embassy or consulate in your country.
• In case you apply through the Swedish embassy and not online, you can choose to apply for a student visa. Besides, the application file link number is 105031 and delivered directly to the embassy.
• In case the duration of study does not exceed three months (whether it is a short training course or a short study program); you will only need an entry visa.
• When the duration of the study is more than three months, you will need a residence permit before travelling to Sweden.
• As for International students who are residing in the countries of Northern Europe, the European Economic Area, and the countries of the European Union, they do not need a residence permit in Sweden. But they can apply for the Swedish Immigration Authority upon arrival.

What are the requirements of a Sweden student visa?

1- Acceptance letter to Swedish University

The University notifies you electronically with your letter of acceptance to study and enroll in it as a full time student. It happens after you fully complete the application procedures.

You shall need to read the following article: How to apply for admission and registration to a Swedish university.

Also know: the 10 best Swedish universities and their official websites.

2- Filling out visa application

• You need to fill in information about you and your studies when applying online. In addition, this information includes a number of required documents and evidences which are as follows:
• A copy of your passport pages that show your personal data, and your residence permit issued by your country to reside in other countries (a valid passport).
• Your acceptance letter to enroll in a study program at a Swedish university.
• A proof of comprehensive health insurance during your stay in Sweden if you are accepted to study for one year. In case the university covers the health insurance, you have to submit a certificate for it as a proof.
• You must provide a proof of your financial ability to support yourself financially during the course of your study in Sweden. Besides, It must be in English.
• If you travel to study abroad scholarship, you have to submit documents to prove it.
• Documents should be available in one of the following formats only: pdf, doc, docx, jpg, png, rtf, txt.
• The size of a single document does not exceed 2 MB.
• If there is a problem while filling out the application electronically, you can contact the Swedish Immigration Service.
• Make sure to apply for the visa 6-8 weeks before the starting date of your course and travel to Sweden.

Learn more about Visa Application.

3- Student visa in Sweden: language requirements

Usually, Swedish universities offer study programs in both English and in Swedish. There is hence no specific language requirement to get a study visa in Sweden, as long as you provide a proof of proficiency in either Swedish or English (usually an IELTS Academic or equivalent).  

For the student visa, the Swedish Migration Agency will ask only for your university acceptance letter. Nonetheless, most postgraduate programs in Sweden are taught in English. In this case, the English language tests required by Swedish universities are: IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and C1 Advanced test.

4- Sweden student visa fees

You can pay the fees online through your credit card or through the Swedish embassy or consulate in your country. Also, the visa application fee is estimated at 900-1,000 SEK.

The dollar = 8.5 SEK

and Euro = 9.5 SEK according to banking transactions, February 2016

5- Wait for the Immigration Authority to process the application

Once you apply online for a student visa, the Immigration Authority will start the procedures to accept your application immediately. Therefore, all data and documents submitted on the visa application must be complete and correct in order not to take extra time.

6- Visit the Swedish embassy or consulate in your country

You will be notified by e-mail regarding your visa application decision. Once you receive it, you need to visit the Swedish embassy to complete some requirements such as your fingerprint and others that are not completed online and require your visit to the embassy.

Visit the following website to find the addresses of the embassy or consulate in your country.

Work while on a student visa in Sweden

Usually, international students are allowed to work with no limitation in Sweden. However, students are required to prioritize their education by completing at least 40 hours of study every week. 

This is required in case you apply to extend your residence permit, where you will need to show how much progress you have made on your study program. If your grades suffer from your working, you may not be able to continue your studies in Sweden.

Also, we recommend reading the following article to know everything related to:

Costs of studying and living in Sweden.