Sweden Student Visa - Eligibility, Requirements, Fees & How to Apply

After completing your admission application requirements for Swedish universities, international students who get admitted will have to apply for a student visa. The details of Sweden visa for students can be checked here.

If you are planning to study in Sweden, understanding the Sweden Student Visa process is very important. International students who want to study for more than three months must apply for a residence permit for studies. In 2026, the Swedish government and the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) have introduced important updates to the Sweden student visa rules.

One major change is the updated financial requirement. Students must now show at least SEK 10,656 per month as proof of funds. Bank statements should not be older than four months before the permit start date. Non-EU/EEA students must also pay the first tuition fee installment before applying for the residence permit. These new Sweden student visa requirements are important for all applicants to check carefully.

There are also new migration law changes for PhD students and researchers. Doctoral students can apply for permanent residence after three years. PhD graduates can stay longer to search for jobs. Some proposals also discuss limiting part-time work hours during studies. These updates make it important to understand the latest Sweden student visa process before applying for the 2026 academic year.

Sweden Visa Processing Time 

The Sweden visa processing time is the period it takes for the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) to review and decide on your student residence permit or other visa applications. For student visas, the processing time can vary based on when you apply, the number of applications they are handling, and whether your documents are complete.

Generally, students should apply for the Sweden student visa as early as possible, ideally 3 to 4 months before the course starts. This gives enough time for the Migration Agency to process your application and reduces the risk of delays. Official processing times can change, but usually, decisions for study residence permits take 8 to 12 weeks or more. During peak months before the academic year, processing may be longer because many students apply at the same time.

The Sweden visa processing time starts after you submit your complete application with all required documents, including passport, acceptance letter, proof of funds, and payment receipts. If the Migration Agency needs more information or interviews, this can add extra time.

It is important to track your application status online and respond quickly if authorities request additional documents. Knowing the Sweden visa processing time helps you plan travel, housing, and course registration more effectively.

The Sweden study visa usually takes about 90 days to process. But sometimes it can take longer, so you should start early. Paper applications take much more time than online ones. That’s why students are told to choose online application.

Sweden Study Visa Fees 

Sweden's study visa fee for Residence Permit for Study purposes for Sweden is SEK 10,656 at the current exchange rate. Students must make an online payment for the same by using a Visa or a MasterCard. (Both Credit and Bank/Debit Cards are acceptable).

What documents are required for Student Visas to Sweden?

The applicant must provide the required documents for a Residence Permit in Sweden. Even before you start the actual visa application, you must ensure you have all of the following documents for visa: 

• A student must have a valid passport for at least six months at the time of application. Also, the passport should be issued not earlier than 10 years preceding the time of application for a Sweden study visa. 

• Students need an enrolment letter from a University in Sweden that clearly states the course duration and that they have paid (in full) the first instalment of the fees. 

• The student must note that this must include a study period equivalent to 30 credits. If your first semester does not equal 30 credits, you must pay a fee for two semesters. (Though this usually is not the case) 

• A student must show proof of financial capacity for the visa. This means you must have the funds to pay for the course you are enrolled in and support your stay in the country. This could be in the form of a scholarship/ sponsor (public or private), student loan or own funds to the tune of SEK 9,450 for each month of your stay in Sweden, computed for the intended stay with a minimum of 10 months for every year of staying in Sweden. 

• You would be asked to provide proof of health insurance if your stay is less than 10 months. Students applying for longer stays would receive compulsory health insurance when they reach Sweden. 

• Class X/ XII/ Bachelors (whichever is applicable) marksheet. 

• Your visa application would also ask you to submit a 1000-character (roughly 150 words) essay on why you have chosen Sweden for your studies. There is no fixed format for the same, but you have to give a specific reason for what you believe Sweden offers that your home country does not.  

• Note: You are not required to submit all the certificates for a Sweden study visa. The system only prompts you to provide details on your last qualification/ work experience. If you wish to provide information on all your previous qualifications and/or work experience, you must provide relevant documentary proof. 

• Two sets of documents – original and signed true copies- are required for paper visa applications. 

• You must upload a scanned copy of the original documents for online applications. You must scan and upload the original documents and not the photocopies. 

• Moreover, the attached documents should not be larger than 2MB for online applications and in acceptable formats. PDF and JPEG are always the preferred formats for official documentation. 

Also Read: Student Guide to Sweden

Sweden Student Visa Eligibility Requirement

To qualify for a Swedish Residence Permit for Studies, you must:

1. A Valid Passport
2. Be Admitted to Full-Time Studies
3. Pay Tuition Fees
4. Demonstrate proof of funds
5. Have better Health Insurance

How to Apply for a Swedish Student Visa

Must follow steps below to apply for their Sweden Study Visa successfully.  

• Confirm your admission to a Swedish university and prepare the documents per the abovementioned checklist. 

• Confirm health insurance (if applicable) 

• Fill out the residence permit application form online by logging into the Migrationsverket Website. 

• Upload the documents and submit your application. 

• Pay the student visa fee of SEK 10,656 through a Visa/ Mastercard 

• Receive confirmation from the consulate/ embassy 

• Upon receiving the email, submit your biometric information and photograph at Sweden's nearest embassy/ consulate office. 

Working while on a Student Visa in Sweden

International students can work while they are pursuing their education in Sweden. There is no upper limit to the number of hours a student can work for. However, a student must mandatorily complete a minimum study of 40 hours a week. Most  Universities in Sweden have career cells where students can be assisted in finding appropriate part-time options.

Working after Graduating from Swedish Universities

Students who have completed their studies in Sweden can apply for and get an extension of their Residence Permit for 6 months to seek suitable employment. Once the student has an appropriate job, s/he must have a Work Permit for Sweden. Students can also seek a Residence Permit to start a business in Sweden.

Related Articles: Top Universities in Sweden

Scholarships for Studying in Sweden

A large number of international students prefer Sweden to pursue higher studies. However, pursuing an education in Sweden is not cheap. Therefore, students must look for different ways to arrange funds for tuition fees and living costs. Considering the demand of the students' various universities in Sweden offer scholarships for international students. Below, we have given you some popular scholarships for studying in Sweden.

• Inlaks Scholarships (University Courses)
• Google Europe Scholarship for Students with Disabilities

Also, read about student visas for study abroad and student visas for prominent international study destinations. Also, if you wish to apply for free counselling to apply at universities abroad, you can sign up at Shiksha Abroad Counselling.