Student visa to Sweden: Is Sweden your choice of study abroad destination? and you don’t know how to go about getting your Sweden student visa?
Well, this is the right article for you.
When it comes to higher education, Sweden, the country of balance and diversity, is a top choice. Sweden’s universities, which are among the best in the world, use teaching methods based on “freedom with responsibility.”
International students choose to pursue a degree in Sweden for a variety of reasons. For students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland, this includes the opportunity to pursue a tuition-free program.
Are you looking for information on how to apply for a student visa or a residence permit in Sweden?
First and foremost, students from the EU/EEA do not require a student visa or a residence permit. Even yet, if they intend to stay in Sweden for more than a year — which is highly likely given the length of education programs — they must register with the Swedish Population Register and obtain a personal identity number.
Students who are not citizens of the European Union or the European Economic Area must apply for a student visa or a residence permit. What’s the difference, though?
Non-EU/EEA citizens who plan to stay and study in Sweden for less than 90 days are eligible for a student visa.
The residence permit is for non-EU/EEA citizens who will be studying in Sweden for more than 90 days.
We’ll use the phrases “student visa” and “residence permit” interchangeably for the rest of this article, but keep in mind the differences.
Is Sweden giving Student Visa?
Sweden is climbing the ranks of popular study abroad locations, and the number of student visa applications is at an all-time high. International students who wish to study in Sweden must first get a student visa and a residence permit, which is determined by the length of their stay.
Sweden’s international student population is gradually increasing, and in recent years, colleges have focused heavily on international student recruiting.
Even in the midst of the pandemic, the number of international students granted student visas in Sweden increased.
Despite the fact that the government instituted tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students in 2011, making it one of the more expensive study abroad locations, international students have recently increased.
Swedish institutions attract international students because of their world-class academic standards, which prepare them for interesting employment options following graduation.
Sweden’s universities are also modern, and the country has been named one of the most innovative in the world. As a result, the curriculum here is geared toward assisting students in the development of soft skills such as critical and creative thinking.
Chinese students account for the vast bulk of the international student population in this city. “Currently, 826 Chinese students are enrolled in programs across [Stockholm], which represents an increase of 18 percent over the previous year,” according to UniversityWorldNews.
International students seeking a student visa in Sweden must submit an application to their preferred Swedish university. When a student is accepted to a university, they must pay the first half of their tuition costs. International students in Sweden are required to begin the application procedure only when this cost has been paid.
When planning a trip to Sweden, there are two sorts of visas that a person might apply for. A person who wants to visit Sweden for pleasure would need to apply for a Schengen Visa.
This is effectively a three-month tourist visa. Tourists commonly use it because it grants them access to the Schengen Area of the European Union.
The other type of visa is the Residence Permit for Sweden, which is a long-term visa that can be used for a variety of purposes. These Residence Permits are required for students wishing to study in Sweden.
When and Where Should a Student Apply for a Visa in Sweden?
You can apply online at the Swedish Migration Agency’s website or in person at your country’s Swedish embassy or consulate.
If you apply online, your application will be processed immediately away and will take less time because your paperwork will be sent directly to the Swedish Migration Authority.
What are the Requirements for Student Visa in Sweden?
Whether or not a student requires a visa to study in Sweden is determined by variables such as:
- Their place of birth.
- If the student already has a Schengen visa from another Schengen country.
- If they are a European Union permanent resident.
To apply for a student visa in Sweden, you must meet certain requirements. The following are the same:
- A valid passport is required of the student.
- The student must have been accepted into a full-time course that necessitates their attendance at a higher education institution.
- The student must be able to meet his or her financial obligations for the term of the residence visa they are seeking for.
- Before applying, the student must have paid a reasonable tuition charge.
- If the student intends to stay in Sweden for less than a year, they must have applied for health insurance.
What documents do I need to apply for a student visa in Sweden?
If you want to apply for a residence permit in Sweden, you’ll need to submit a few documents. Even before you begin your visa application, we recommend that you double-check that you have all of the essential documents:
- At the time of application, a student must have a valid passport with a validity of at least 6 months. In addition, the passport must have been issued during the previous ten years of the application.
- Students must have an enrolment letter from a Swedish university that confirms the course duration and that the first installment of fees has been paid (in whole).
- The student should be aware that this must involve a study period equivalent to at least 30 credits. You will be charged a fee for two semesters if your first semester does not equal 30 credits. (Though this isn’t always the case.)
- Proof of financial capacity, which implies you have enough money to pay for the course you’re taking as well as maintain yourself while you’re in the nation.
- This could be in the form of a public or private scholarship, a student loan, or personal cash in the amount of SEK 8,190 per month of your stay in Sweden, calculated for the desired stay with a minimum of 10 months for each year of stay in Sweden.
- If your stay is less than ten months, you will be asked to show proof of health insurance. If you ask for a longer stay, you will be given with mandatory health insurance once you arrive in Sweden.
- Bachelor’s degree (Class X/ XII) (whichever applicable) The year of completion of the course is clearly shown on the mark-sheet and certificate.
- In addition, your application will ask you to write a 1000-character (approximately 150-word) essay about why you chose Sweden as your study destination. There is no set format for this, but you must state why you believe Sweden offers something that your own country does not.
- It is important to note that you are not needed to provide all of the certificates. Only the most recent qualification/work experience details would be requested by the system. You must submit relevant documentation verification for all previous credentials and/or job experience if you desire to offer information for all previous qualifications and/or work experience.
Key Note:
You’ll need two sets of documents for paper applications: the originals and signed true copies of the same.
You’ll need to upload a scanned copy of the original documents if you’re doing it online. It’s important to remember to scan and submit the actual documents, not photocopies.
The attached documents for online applications should be no more than 2MB in size and in the following formats: pdf, doc, Docx, jpg, png, RTF, and txt. For formal documentation, PDF and JPEG are always recommended.
What are the Language Requirements for Studying in Sweden?
In order to study in Sweden, you must know the Swedish language.
In Sweden, there are no specific language requirements for your student visa. Proof of language fluency in either Swedish or English will be required by the universities as part of successful admission to a Swedish university.
The Swedish Migration Agency will only ask for the acceptance letter from the university.
Swedish universities provide both Swedish and English-taught study programs. Most English study programs, however, are only offered at the postgraduate level (Master’s and PhD programs). Universities in Sweden accept the following English language tests:
- TOEFL iBT
- IELTS Academic
- PTE Academic
- C1 Advanced
Financial Requirements for a Sweden Student Visa
The maintenance requirement for applications submitted in 2019 is at least SEK 8,370 per month, or roughly $860.
You must be able to demonstrate that you will be able to pay this amount for the entire duration of your residence permit.
You must demonstrate that you have the funds in your own bank account, either as a grant or a scholarship.
The bank account must be solely in your name or shared with your spouse; it cannot be in the name of a parent or other third party.
How Long Does it Take to Process Student Visa in Sweden?
Applying for a student visa can actually take a long time.
For instance, to be photographed and fingerprinted, as well as acquire your residence permit card, you’ll have to go to the Swedish embassy or consulate in your country. That takes a long time to process.
Your visa/residence permit decision will be sent to you via email, and you will be asked to schedule an appointment and pick up the paperwork associated with the formal decision. Your university will also receive a copy of the decision document.
The length of time this period lasts is determined by the amount of data in your file. To avoid having to update material after you apply, make sure your submission contains all of the essential documentation.
Basically, the visa is normally processed within 90 days because all visa applications are routed to Sweden. However, it may take longer, and if you wish to study in Sweden, you should start the procedure as soon as possible.
Furthermore, submitting a paper application takes far longer than submitting an online application. As a result, students are encouraged to submit their applications online.
Because the average wait time for a student visa/residence permit is 2–3 months, you should apply as soon as possible. You must also produce the original versions of the essential documents when applying for a visa at the local embassy.
How Much Does a Student Visa Cost for Sweden?
The cost of a student visa in Sweden varies depending on the applicant’s age. The visa fee for a residence permit in Sweden for study purposes is SEK 1,500 at the current exchange rate (INR 13021).
Students must pay for the course online with a Visa or MasterCard. (We take both credit and bank/debit cards.)
How to Get a Student Visa to Sweden
If you are still undecided about where you want to study in Sweden, you must make a decision before proceeding with your visa/residence permit application.
This section will show the right step to take when you want to apply for a Sweden Student Visa:
#1. Make an application to a Swedish university.
Receiving an acceptance letter from a Swedish university is the first step in applying for a Swedish student visa; you’ll need it to finish the visa application.
If your program is full-time, you can only apply for a student visa.
In Sweden, a student visa is known as “resident permission for studies.” You’ll need to apply for a Short stay visa if your program is shorter than three months long.
If your program lasts longer than six months, you’ll need to apply for a Long Stay visa type D.
#2. Organize your Finances
You must pay the first semester’s tuition fees and present proof of payment before your Swedish student visa can be approved.
You must also provide confirmation of your financial ability to pay for the entire course, such as a bank statement or a letter from a scholarship organization.
#3. Check the validity of your passport
Make sure your passport is still valid.
To be approved for a student visa, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months at the time of application.
#4. Check to see if you require health insurance
If your study program lasts shorter than a year, you must have full health insurance.
#5. Make an application for a student visa
Once you have all of your documents in order, you can apply for a student visa online through the Swedish Migration Agency’s website. Along with your application, you can also upload and submit the required papers.
If you are unable to apply online, you must complete the ‘First-Time application for a residence permit’ form and submit it, along with supporting papers, to a Swedish embassy or consulate-general in your place of residency.
You must submit your application at least three months before the start of your educational program.
#6. Wait for their Decision
When D-day arrives, you will usually receive an email from the embassy informing you whether or not the embassy has decided to grant you a student visa.
You must present your passport to the embassy or consulate-general to receive your approval. However, some embassies or consulate-generals, according to the website, will mail the judgment and residency permit card.
To see if this applies to you, contact your local embassy.
#7. Obtain an Entry Visa
After you’ve received your student visa, you’ll need to apply for an entrance visa to visit Sweden.
This is dependent on your country of origin. For a list of countries that require a visa to enter Sweden, click here.
Can I Work in Sweden as a Student?
International students are permitted to work while completing their studies in Sweden. There is no limit to how many hours a student can work in a day.
However, a student is obliged to accomplish a minimum of 40 hours of study per week. Most Swedish universities have their own career centers where students can get help finding suitable part-time jobs.
Working after completing your studies
Students who have completed their studies in Sweden can apply for and receive a 6-month extension of their residence permit to look for suitable work.
Once the student has found suitable work, he or she will need a Work Permit for Sweden. Students can also apply for a Residence Permit in Sweden to establish their own businesses.
Frequently asked questions on Student visa to Sweden
Where should I apply for the Sweden student visa?
You can either apply through the website of the Swedish Migration Agency or through your nearest Swedish consulate or embassy.
Can I work in Sweden with a Sweden student visa?
Yes, Sweden allows students with a resident permit or student visa to work while studying. However, it is hard for international students to manage a job after studying at least 40 hours a week.
What is the cost for applying to the Sweden student visa?
The Swedish visa application fee for an adult is 1500 SEK (~12,700 INR) and that for a student is 750 SEK (~6350 INR).
How much fund do I need to display to apply for a Swedish student visa?
You need to be able to spend at least 450 SEK (~3,800 INR) every month to be eligible to apply for a student visa to study in Sweden
What is the difference between a Sweden student visa and a resident permit?
A Swedish student visa is valid for programs with a duration below 90 days. A resident permit is for students willing to apply for a program with a study period of more than 90 days.
conclusion:
Non-EU/EEA nationals who wish to stay and study in Sweden must apply for both a student visa and a residence permit.
Whether you require a student visa or a residence permit, however, is determined by the length of your stay.
See the easiest way to apply for a Sweden Student Visa in 2022.
References
- mastersportal.com – How to Get a Student Visa for Sweden
- studyinternational.com – How to apply for a Swedish student visa
- studyabroad.shiksha.com – Sweden Student Visa Guide
- collegedunia.com – How to Get Sweden Student Visa: Application Process, Fees, Requirements, Validity, Rejection, Reapplication