Admitted Student

Residence Permit

Non EU/EEA citizens

If you are a citizen of any other country than an EU/EEA country you need to apply for a residence permit. The permits are granted by the Swedish Migration Board (for exchange students the embassy in most countries can take the decision directly) and you are required to have the permit before you move to Sweden. You should apply as soon as possible once you are accepted.

Please note that you can only obtain a residence permit for studies if you are admitted to full-time studies that require your presence in Sweden (i.e for the Master's in Library and Information Science you can only receive a visa for your visit(s) to Sweden).

Important to remember when applying:

Obtaining a residence permit can be a lengthy process and we recommend you to apply as soon as possible once you are admitted, at least 12 weeks before you plan on coming to Sweden.
You cannot receive a residence permit for a longer period of time than your passport is valid, so make sure your passport doesn't expire before the end date of your studies.
You must prove to the Swedish Migration Board that you will have a guaranteed sum of money at your disposal throughout the entire period of your studies. The Migration Board sets the amount, currently 7300 SEK per month for ten months out of each year of your studies. Note that the money has to be on your personal bank account. Keep in mind that if you later apply for an extension of your permit the Migration Board will check that you have had at least 7300 SEK to live off every month. The money should therefore not be transferred to any other accounts than your own after you have showed the bank statement to the Migration Board. This does not apply to students who receive a scholarship from Sweden covering living costs.
Make sure to include all the necessary documents when applying for your residence permit. You can see what documents you need to enclose on the Swedish Migration Board's website. If you do not include all documents in your original application you will be moved to the back of the queue. This delay can mean you do not receive your permit in time for your studies. Keep in mind that some students need to include proof of health insurance when applying for the residence permit. View the health insurance section for details.
The most common document missing in an application is actually the accompanying letter from the embassy, so make sure that you remind the embassy to enclose the accompanying letter.
Do not forget to state a contact person of your course/programme, for example the International coordinator of your department. Here you can find a list of the International coordinators at the six schools of the university.

Application forms, residence permit cards and more information

The Swedish Migration Board gives you more information about applying for residence permit as a student. Click on Studying in Sweden and then on University or College to find out more about the requirements and the application process. The application form is available under the section Applications and Forms - Forms. Choose Application for residence permit for students and doctoral students (form no. 105031)

All EU member states will issue residence permit cards (UT cards) beginning 20 May 2011. The card will contain biometric data (photographs and two finger prints). Read more here.

Where to apply

Embassy or consulate

You apply for a permit at a Swedish embassy or a Swedish consulate in your home country in which you are permanently resident. Addresses of embassies and consulates can be found at www.ud.se.

Online at the website of the Swedish Migration Board

If you are citizen of a country whose citizens do not require an entry visa when entering Sweden (as well as other exceptions) you can submit a first time application for residence permits for studies electronically at the Swedish Migration Board's website, but you need to be able to scan your documents and to pay the application fee online by using a credit card. You will need to go to the embassy or consulate to give them your biometric data and later to pick up your residence permit card.

Residence permits and travelling

According to the Schengen agreement, people with Swedish residence permits can travel freely throughout the Schengen zone for a period of three months without first applying for a visa. All travellers must have a valid passport and be able to prove their identities.

The countries that have signed the Schengen Agreement are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

If you would like to visit for example the UK, you need to apply for an entry visa at the British Embassy in Sweden.

Extension of residence permits

An application for an extension of your residence permit should be submitted online, you will find the electronic form under the section Applications and forms on the Migration Board's website. You must apply for an extension before your current permit expires. Below you can find a presentation with detailed instructions on how to extend your residence permit.

Extension of residence permit for studies. Presentation April 2012.

EU/EEA citizens

If you are a student from an EU/EEA country, then you have the right to reside in Sweden. Therefore you do not need to apply for a residence permit. However, you need to register for the right of residence no later than three months after entering the country. Nordic citizens do not need to apply for any sort of right to reside. Refer to www.migrationsverket.se - in English - Studying in Sweden and click on EU/EEA citizens for details.

Registration forms

You can register your right of residence electronically on the website of the Swedish Migration Board. Click on Studying in Sweden - Applications and forms - Electronic applications and start the application process by filling in the questionnaire. You can also register by post to the Migration Board by completing the form Registration of Right to Residence (form no. 141011) which you will find under Applications and forms - Forms. When applying by post send the form to:

Migrationsverket, Studerandeenheten, 601 70 Norrköping

Please note that when you apply you must submit the following documents:

Proof of admission to the course/programme at the University of Borås. A print out from your department or the Student Centre showing that you are registered to the university will also be accepted.
Assurance that you have sufficient funds for your support. A letter written and signed by yourself stating that you can support yourself during your stay is accepted.
Proof that you have comprehensive medical insurance that is valid in Sweden. A copy of your European Health Insurance Card is accepted.