Applying for a visa to Sweden

A person who wishes to study at a university or college in Sweden for a period longer than three months must have a residence permit. The permit must be complete and entered into the passport before entry into Sweden.

A person who is in Sweden for a period of less than three months does not need a residence permit. However, citizens of certain countries must have a visa.

A residence permit for study purposes is time limited. Even if the period spent in the country has extended over several years you are normally not permitted to become a permanent resident in Sweden.

Countries whose citizens require entry visas

What is required to be granted a permit?
To be granted a residence permit for study purposes at a university/college in Sweden you must show that you:

have been enrolled for full-time study, i.e. 30 credits per term (Special conditions apply to doctoral students)
can support yourself for the whole of the plan­ned period of study
have comprehensive health insurance which is valid in Sweden if you intend to study for a period of less than one year.

How can I prove my capacity to support myself?

You should show that you have your support secured by means of verification of bank assets, a grant or in another similar manner. The support requirement is at present at least SEK 7,300 per month. If you intend to study for one year or more you must show that you can support yourself for 10 months per year.

Example: if you intend to study for:

18 months you must have SEK 109,500 (15 x SEK 7,300)
24 months you must have SEK 146,000 (20 x SEK 7,300)
If you can show, for example, that you will receive free accommodation and/or food, the monthly amount can be reduced. If you want to know the exchange rate in your local currency,check it out here

Which documents do I need?
When you apply for a residence permit you must use the form Application for a residence permit for students and doctoral students, No. 105031.
You can obtain or order forms on this website.Application Forms You can also order by e-mail, Distributionen@migrationsverket.se, fax 011-15 66 91 or by writing to the Migration Board, Distributionen, 601 70 Norrköping. Forms are also available at Swedish embassies and consulates.

Enclose copies of the following documents:
A copy of your passport, showing your identity, the period of validity of the passport and any permit required to spend time in a country other than your home country.

A certificate stating that you have been enrolled for full-time study.

A certificate stating that you have comprehensive health insurance valid in Sweden if you intend to study for a period of less than one year.

A certificate from a bank confirming that you have funds of your own to support you
or
that you have received a scholarship or similar funding. Include details of the amount and during which period you will receive the money.
or
that you have received a study grant or a salary (only doctoral students). Include de­tails of the amount and during which period you will receive the money.
Please do not enclose any education certificates.

Please note that the embassy or consulate where you submitted your application could require further documents. Visit www.swedenabroad.se or contact the embassy or consulate for more information.

Remember
If a permit from a central bank or equivalent is requi­red to transfer money from your country, you must enclose such a permit.

Important to submit a complete application
It is important that you send in a complete appli­cation for a residence permit as soon as you have been enrolled in a programme. You can not expect to receive a decision in time for the commencement of your programme if your application:

is not complete
arrives at the Migration Board when there is less than six weeks remaining before commencement of the programme even if you received late notification of enrolment.

Can the permit be extended?
When you apply for an extension you should use the form Application for a residence permit for students and doctoral students, No. 105031.

You must produce proof of acceptable study results to have your residence permit extended. You must also confirm that you have received money regularly for your support during the time you have been in Sweden. This can be done by means of a bank statement or similar document.

You must also show that you have been enrolled for continued full-time study and that you still have your support secured.

Where do I apply?
You apply for the permit at the Swedish embassy or a Swedish consulate in your home country or in the country where you are a permanent resident. Swedish embassies and consulates

The application for an extension of your residence permit can be submitted to any of the Migration Board permit units. You can also apply for an extension of your permit via the Migration Board website or you can send your application by post.

Addresses to the Migration Board's Permit Units

What does it cost.
Permit for, for example, a visit, work or study Adult SEK 1,000
Most people are required to pay an application fee. You will also be required to pay a fee when you apply for an extension of your permit. If your application is rejected the fee will not be refunded.

Fees for applications and how to pay
How long is the permit valid?
You can be granted a residence permit for one year at a time during the period of your study. If the period of study is less than one year you will be granted a residence permit that is valid for the length of the period of study.

Am I permitted to work?
You are permitted to work during the same period you have a residence permit. You do not need a separate work permit.

Permit for relatives
Your husband/wife or partner and unmarried children under the age of 18 years can be granted a residence permit if they can show, among other things, that their support is secured. In that case they will be granted a residence permit for the same period as you. However, they are not permitted to work.

Who decides?
The Migration Board decides on a residence permit for study purposes. The permit must be complete and be entered into your passport before you travel to Sweden. You will be notified of the decision by the embassy or the consulate where you submitted the application.

Where will your application be processed?
First-time applications from students at universities/colleges are processed by four of the Migration Board's permit units. Where yur application will be processed depends on which university/college you have been accepted to.This unit will process your application.

Revoking of your permit
The Migration Board can revoke your residence permit if, for example:

you do not register at the place of learning

you discontinue your studies

you do not satisfy the support requirement.

Appeal
If the Migration Board decides not to grant you a residence permit you can appeal against the decision within three weeks of the date on which you received the decision. The same applies if we revoke your permit. You send the appeal to the Migration Board. If the Board does not change its decision in line with your request the appeal will be forwarded to the Migration Court at one of the county administrative courts in Stockholm, Gothenburg or Malmö.

If you have granted a person in Sweden power of attorney to represent you in the permit matter, he or she can prepare the appeal and submit it.

Forms
You can obtain or order forms on this website.Application Forms You can also order by e-mail, Distributionen@migrationsverket.se, fax 011-15 66 91 or by writing to the Migration Board, Distributionen, 601 70 Norrköping. Forms are also available at Swedish embassies and consulates.
If your documents are okay and convincing enough you get the visa. With the Swedish everything is pretty straight and done by the book.Do not forget that it might take sometime to get your reply.To make sure that you get your reply read this post i made about obtaining a visa to Sweden.
A little detail. You can also read more about education in Sweden on my website.You can check out the link at the end of this post. Education in Sweden
Good Luck!!