If you are thinking about studying in Sweden for more than three months at a university or college, you will need to get a Sweden student visa and a residence permit. In this article, we will learn more about the Sweden student visa, eligibility criteria, application process, documents required, and more. So, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Non-European students who are planning to study in Sweden for more than three months need to have a student visa and residence permit.
- To apply for a Swedish residence permit, you must be enrolled in a program at a Swedish university and pay part of your tuition fee.
- The processing time for a Swedish study permit is usually two to four months.
- You can extend your student visa or residence permit in Sweden if needed, but you must apply before your current permit expire.
- After graduation, you can stay in Sweden for up to a year to look for a job.
- While studying in Sweden, you can work as much as you want.
- If your Sweden student visa application is rejected, you have the right to appeal.
Why Should You Study in Sweden?
If you are planning to study in Sweden, there are some reasons why it is a great choice:
- Sweden is a beautiful country. It has amazing nature and a cool culture to explore.
- There are tons of international students already studying in Sweden.
- Sweden is known for being a hub of innovation. It has a lots of top-ranked universities and high-tech companies.
- The government in Sweden supports entrepreneurship.
- The Swedish universities are some of the best in the world, especially when it comes to technology and engineering.
- Sweden gives importance to equality and diversity. They even have programs to help you learn the language and get used to the culture.
- The education system in Sweden is top-notch. They provide grants and scholarships to their students.
Who Needs a Swedish Student Visa?
If you are not from Europe and you want to study in Sweden for more than three months, you will need to do a couple of things before you go. Let’s have a look at them:
- You will have to apply for a student visa and a residence permit card. These are special permissions that let you stay in Sweden for your studies.
- If you are planning to study for less than three months, you might only need a visa.
- If you are from countries like the US, Japan, or Canada, you don’t usually need a visa to go to Sweden.
- If you want to study there for more than three months, you will still need to apply for the residence permit.
Sweden Student Visa Requirements
If you are planning to study in Sweden, here is what you will need:
- Your passport that includes copies of pages with your information, signature, and dates
- Fill out and sign the visa application form
- Passport-sized photos
- Copies of your previous school records or certificates
- An acceptance letter from the school in Sweden
- Health insurance
- A bank statement or proof of monthly allowance
- The visa application fee
Sweden Study Visa Eligibility
Being an international student, you must meet the requirement for your visa. You need at least SEK 8,370 per month. It is about $860. You have to prove that you can pay this amount for the whole time of your visa.
You can show you have the money in your bank account, or if you got a grant or scholarship. The bank account should only be in your name, or you can share it with your spouse. It cannot be your parent’s or someone else’s bank account.
How To Apply For a Sweden Study Visa?
To apply for a Swedish student visa and residence permit, you must follow these steps:
- You need to be admitted to a program at a Swedish university to qualify for a residence permit.
- Before applying, make sure you have paid part of your tuition fee.
- You will need to submit several documents when you apply.
- Please use the internet to submit your application and upload your documents.
- When applying online, use a credit or debit card to pay the fee. It is usually around $100.
- If you are from a country where citizens need a visa to enter Sweden, you will have to go to your nearest Swedish consulate to get your residence permit card.
Sweden Student Visa Processing Time
The Swedish Migration Agency will decide if your application gets approved or not. It usually takes about two to four months for them to make a decision.
The processing time for a Sweden student visa can change. It depends on various factors. You can find out how long it takes for a decision by answering a few questions about your application during the visa application process.
Sweden Student Visa Extension
If you need more time to stay in Sweden for your studies, you can extend your student visa or residence permit. But you must apply for this extension before your current permit runs out.
- The application process happens online, and you will have to pay a fee for it.
- When you are applying for the extension, you need to give updated information about your studies and your finances.
- You should provide proof of health insurance if the Migration Agency asks for it.
- You should apply for the extension well before your current permit ends. Sometimes it can take a while to process, if there are lots of applications.
- If they approve your extension, they will give you a new permit with a new end date.
Can You Work in Sweden After Graduation?
You can stay in Sweden for up to another year after your studies to search for a job. But how long you can stay might change based on your situation.
If you are not sure about the rules for extending your student visa or residence permit in Sweden, you can always talk to the Swedish Migration Agency or the international student services at your school. They can help you out and give you the right information.
Sweden Student Visa Work Hours
You can work as much as you want while studying in Sweden. But, it is best to focus about 40 hours each week on your schoolwork. These activities must include going to classes and doing assignments.
You should not take on too much work if it affects your studies. Also, please make sure the job you have follows the Swedish law and pays you fairly.
What To Do If Your Sweden Student Visa Application is Rejected?
If your Swedish study permit application gets denied, it can be frustrating. But don’t worry too much about it. There is still hope.
You have the right to appeal if the Swedish Migration Agency denies your application. They will tell you what to do usually within three weeks.
In your appeal, you can explain why you think they should change their decision. Give them reasons and include any proof that backs up your argument.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it easy to get a Swedish student visa?
When you apply for a visa to Sweden, it usually takes about 90 days for the process. But sometimes it can take longer. So it is best to start early. If you apply online, it is faster than using a paper application.
2. How much bank balance is required for a Sweden student visa?
To get a Swedish study visa, you need to show you have enough money. It is good to have at least $12,000 in your bank account to cover your expenses for the whole stay. This is around $860 per month or $10,320 per year. If you have a scholarship or grant, you don’t need to show a bank statement.
3. How long can you stay in Sweden with a student visa?
If you are going to Sweden for studies or research, you can get a permit for up to one year. But if you are accepted by a university, you should apply for a residence permit for your studies instead.
4. Can you get PR in Sweden after your studies?
If you have finished your studies in Sweden while having a residence permit for higher education, you can apply for another permit to find a job or even start your own business in Sweden.
5. How expensive is Sweden for international students?
If you are planning to study in Sweden, you should be prepared to manage your expenses wisely. Most international students spend somewhere between 700 to 1,400 EUR each month for living expenses. It depends on your lifestyle and how much you are comfortable spending. The required amount is around 821 EUR per month. But you might need more or less depending on your choices and lifestyle.
Conclusion
If you are planning to study in Sweden, it is a beautiful country that has a lot to offer. They have world class universities in the field of innovation, technology and engineering. When it comes to job opportunities, Sweden has a lot to offer.
When you are applying for a Sweden student visa, the process can be time consuming and confusing at first. There are different visa types and some basic rules to follow. So, it is important to read all the information carefully.
You must have all the required documents and you must show a bank statement to show that you can support yourself during the course duration. Doing this step right can improve your chances of getting the Sweden student visa easily.
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