Residence permits
Source: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/student-life/before-you-arrive/residence-permits Parent: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/study/admission-degree-studies/applying-studies-when-apply
As an international student, you might need to apply for a residence permit before coming to Sweden. Read this page carefully to find out what applies to you.
Citizens of an EU/EEA country
In general, citizens of an EU/EEA country do not need a residence permit to study in Sweden. This applies regardless of the form of study – degree/course studies, exchange studies, or mobility studies.
Citizens of a country outside the EU/EEA
In general, all students from countries outside the EU/EEA need to have a residence permit to study in Sweden if they are planning to stay for more than three months.
If this applies to you, you need to apply for a residence permit for first- and second-cycle studies through the Swedish Migration Agency. You should not apply for a visa, as visas are generally intended for short-term visits.
Important notes
- The application is handled by the Swedish Migration Agency, not the university. The residence permit application is your responsibility.
- You must receive your residence permit before travelling to Sweden.
- The permit must be valid and you must bring it with you when entering Sweden.
- If your spouse or children are coming with you, you can apply for permits for them at the same time.
More about residence permits on the Swedish Migration Agency website
Applying for a residence permit
Degree/course students
Watch this 5-minute video on how to apply for a residence permit to study in Sweden as an admitted Bachelor's or Master's student.
If you are a degree/course student admitted via www.universityadmissions.se and require a residence permit, you should not apply for your residence permit until after you have received your Notification of Selection Results and paid the first tuition fee instalment. You are, however, advised to start preparing for your application as soon as possible – but please do not submit it earlier than four months before the first day of your residence permit period. Please be advised that any bank account statements may not be older than four months from the first day of your residence permit period.
You make your application online through the Swedish Migration Agency's website. If applicable, you might need to extend your residence permit to continue with your studies. If so, please make sure to apply for the extension before your permit expires.
Apply online at the Swedish Migration Agency website
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Exchange students
If you are coming to Lund University as an exchange student from a partner university and need a residence permit, you should not apply for your residence permit until after you have received your Letter of Acceptance (LoA). You are however advised to start preparing for your application as soon as possible – but please do not submit it earlier than four months before the first day of your residence permit period. Please be advised that any bank account statements may not be older than four months from the first day of your residence permit period. You make your application online through the Swedish Migration Agency's website.
Please note that "mobility studies", as it is mentioned on the Migration Agency's website, is not the same as regular exchange studies. Exchange students should apply for a residence permit for first-and second-cycle studies.
Restrictions regarding online courses: Students who require a Residence Permit must follow a full-time, on-campus study plan of 30 credits. Online courses cannot be included.
Apply online at the Swedish Migration Agency website
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Mobility students
If you are coming to Lund as a part of a programme that shares administration with two or more other institutions (for example Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's degree) you may be able to apply for a permit for mobility studies. You may also be able to make a Notification of Planned Mobility Studies (which serves as a replacement of a conventional residence permit). For more information, please visit the Migration Agency’s website below.
Studies in a mobility programme – migrationsverket.se
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Important information for all applicants
Making your online application
- The entire residence permit process can take up to several months!
- Submit your application immediately once you have your complete documents and fulfil the requirements. Please check the Migration Agency website carefully to make sure that you have prepared the necessary documents.
- As a part of your application, you will need to demonstrate that you have enough money to support your living costs (and those of any accompanying family member) during your study period. Visit the page linked below to learn more about living costs.
- The Swedish Migration Agency also requires that you show that you have health insurance when applying for a residence permit. It is usually enough that you refer to our webpage on health and insurance to fulfil this requirement (see below). You can also attach the 'Terms & Conditions' document for the FAS+ insurance or your 'Letter of acceptance' for the Student IN insurance.
Insurance for incoming students
Biometrics and passport check
- All applicants will need a valid passport to obtain a residence permit. Check that your passport does not expire during the duration of your studies and that it is correctly signed.
- All applicants must present their passports in person at a Swedish Embassy abroad with a migration section if they are applying for a first-time residence permit. Please learn more about this step on the Migration Agency’s website, and find a relevant Swedish Embassy on Sweden Abroad's website (links are listed below). Please note that applicants from a select number of countries are also able to use a digital app to have their passport verified, meaning that they won’t have to conduct an in-person visit to a Swedish Embassy or Consulate General to complete this step.
- In general, applicants will also need to visit a Swedish Embassy or Consulate in their home country for their biometric data (photos and fingerprints). However, applicants who are visa-exempt for travel to the Schengen Area may complete this step upon arrival in Sweden.
- All applicants must have received a positive residence permit decision before coming to Sweden. Unless you are visa-exempt for travel to the Schengen Area, you must also have received your residence permit card before entering Sweden.
Information on study permits on the Migration Agency’s website
Find a relevant Swedish Embassy on Sweden Abroad's website
Important note on ETIAS
In 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be introduced, meaning visa-exempt visitors travelling to the European Union or the Schengen Area will need to apply for prior authorisation to do so. This application will cost 7 EUR and most applications will be approved within minutes. Kindly note that this authorisation system will not replace the Swedish migration process, and you will still need to hold a Swedish residence permit for studies if originally required to do so. Please visit the ETIAS website to learn more about this system, and to file your application when the time comes:
More information on travel-europe.europa.eu