Sweden
Sweden is an EU and Schengen member. The main sponsored work routes for non-EU professionals are the Work permit and the EU Blue Card.
For information only. Visa rules, processing times, and eligibility criteria change frequently. All information on this page is sourced from official government websites and verified as of the date shown. Always confirm your specific situation with the relevant embassy or a licensed immigration lawyer before applying. Full disclaimer ↗
Studying in Sweden
Everything you need to know about getting a student visa, finding a university, and living in Sweden as an international student.
Student Visa Requirements
Visa type: Residence permit for studies (non-EU students staying longer than 3 months).
Key requirements: Admission to an approved Swedish university, proof of financial support (SEK 10,656/month for the student alone — updated annually by Migrationsverket). You must have, or have applied for, a comprehensive health insurance policy.
Processing time: Apply at least 2 months before your course starts via the Swedish Migration Agency.
Part-time work: For most bachelor’s/master’s permits granted on or after 11 June 2026: up to 15 hours/week during term time (exceptions for programme internships, certain university work, and June–August). Older “unlimited hours” wording no longer applies to new grants.
After graduation: After completing bachelor's or master's level studies, you can be granted a residence permit for up to one year.
Official guidance ↗Top Universities
Related guides
Scholarships for international students in Sweden
Swedish universities charge tuition to non-EU/EEA students. The Swedish Institute runs a competitive scholarship programme for international students — covering full tuition and a monthly living allowance. University-level scholarships are also significant and competitive.
🇸🇪 Key scholarship programmes
Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP)
The flagship Swedish scholarship — covers full tuition plus a monthly living stipend and a travel grant. Available for Master's programmes at Swedish universities. Highly competitive. Requires relevant work experience after your Bachelor's degree. Applications open via the SI portal in February.
University excellence scholarships (tuition waivers)
KTH, Chalmers, Lund, and most Swedish universities offer partial or full tuition waivers for top applicants. These are awarded automatically based on your application — no separate scholarship form. They appear as a "scholarship offer" alongside the admission decision.
Linnaeus-Palme Exchange Programme
For students already enrolled at a university with a Linnaeus-Palme partnership with a Swedish institution — funds semester exchanges. Ask your home university's international office if a partnership exists.
⏰ SISGP application timeline
- Oct–DecApply for admission at Swedish universities via universityadmissions.se (deadline: mid-January)
- JanUniversity application deadline (15 January for most autumn programmes)
- FebSISGP application window opens — you need your universityadmissions.se application number to apply
- Feb (late)SISGP deadline — typically the last week of February
- Apr–JunSISGP results announced; tuition waiver decisions from universities in parallel
- Aug–SepProgramme starts
Common mistake: The SISGP requires you to submit your university application via universityadmissions.se before applying for the scholarship — your application number is required in the scholarship form. The university deadline (January 15) comes before the scholarship deadline (late February). Miss the university deadline and you cannot apply for the SISGP that cycle.
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