Sweden student visa guide

Students from outside the EU/EEA need a residence permit to study in Sweden for more than three months, and it must be issued before you travel. You apply online once you are finally admitted to full-time studies and have paid any tuition fee, then show your passport and give fingerprints at a Swedish embassy. New rules from 11 June 2026 cap term-time work at 15 hours a week and tighten study progress requirements.

Use the guide below as a planning reference, then check the official source before you pay anything or submit an application.

Tips from experience

• Pay tuition and apply right away, because the Migration Agency handles cases in the order received.
• Keep funds for the whole period in an account in your own name where possible.
• Expect an embassy appointment wait in Abuja and plan for it.
• Know the 15 hour weekly work limit before you count on part-time income.
• Pass enough credits: from 11 June 2026, 37.5 credits in year one and 45 credits a year after that.

Documents most applicants need are marked required. Others depend on your case or on what the office asks for. Build a printable checklist.

• Copies of passport pages Required

  The permit can never last longer than the passport.

• Final admission decision Required

  For full-time studies, with tuition paid.

• Proof of financial maintenance Required

  Bank statement issued within four months of the start date, scholarship, loan or sponsor certificate.

• Fingerprints and photo Required

  At the embassy if you need a visa to enter Sweden.

• Application fee payment Required

• Comprehensive health insurance If asked

  Required if your studies last less than a year.

• Certified translations If asked

  For any document not in Swedish or English, with a copy of the original.

• Family member documents If asked

  Passport copies and proof of relationship if family applies with you.

Indicative government fees only. School fees, translations, tests, courier and service charges are extra.

Living funds

SEK 10,656 a month for 12 months (SEK 127,872)

Basis

For applications made in 2026, the maintenance requirement is at least SEK 10,656 per month, and the funds must cover the entire period you are applying for. Tuition must already be paid before you apply, so it is not part of this amount.

Tuition included

No, add your first year tuition

The monthly amount can be reduced by SEK 2,960 for free food and SEK 4,736 for free housing provided through your institution or an exchange organisation (2026 rates). Bank statements must be issued no more than four months before the date you want the permit to start. Family members applying with you must also be supported. Check the current figure on the Migration Agency page before you apply.

Typical decision time

The Migration Agency reports that 75% of recently decided first-time applications for higher education studies were decided within 3 months. It handles cases in the order received and may call you for an interview before deciding.

How early you can apply

Apply as soon as you have your admission decision and have paid any tuition fee. The Migration Agency recommends applying early so the case is handled before the semester starts.

Latest sensible time to apply

Allow at least three months before your course starts, plus extra time if the embassy in Abuja must see you, because appointments are offered only after the Agency has reviewed your case.

1. 1

   Get admitted and pay tuition

   Apply through your university's admission system and accept your place. You count as finally admitted only after the tuition fee is paid, and the university tells the Migration Agency.

2. 2

   Arrange funds

   Show at least SEK 10,656 for each month of the permit period through your own bank account, scholarship, loan or sponsor, with documents issued no more than four months before the start date.

3. 3

   Arrange health insurance if needed

   If your studies last less than a year, you need comprehensive health insurance covering emergency and other medical care, hospitalisation, emergency dental care and medical transport home.

4. 4

   Apply in the e-service

   Apply online if you are 18 or older, attach passport copies, the admission decision and funds documents, and pay SEK 1,500 by card. Choose the Swedish embassy you will visit.

5. 5

   Complete the passport check

   Most applicants do a digital passport check through an app. You may still be asked to present the passport in person or attend an interview.

6. 6

   Visit the embassy for fingerprints

   If you need a visa to enter Sweden, give fingerprints and a photo for your residence permit card. Nigerian applicants use the Embassy of Sweden in Abuja, which gives appointments only after the Agency's review.

7. 7

   Receive the decision and travel

   Follow your case on My page. Once approved, collect the permit card as instructed and register your address with the Migration Agency within 30 days of arrival.

Work and post study rules change often. Confirm them on the official source before you plan around them.

• The applicant was not finally admitted because the tuition fee had not been paid.
• Funds were below SEK 10,656 a month or did not cover the whole permit period.
• The bank statement was too old or did not show the account holder and balance clearly.
• Health insurance was missing for studies shorter than a year.
• The admission was for part-time or distance studies, which do not qualify.
• Documents were not translated or appeared unreliable.

Refused before? Read what to do after a visa refusal.