Sweden student visa or resident permit for studies is a legal document issued by the Swedish Government which allows you to stay and study in Sweden. With the help of a study visa, you will be able to join any Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD program offered by Swedish colleges/universities. Thus, in addition to a passport, you would require a student visa to pursue a degree program in a foreign country like Sweden.
In this blog, you will learn about the different Sweden student visa requirements, visa application process, visa fees, etc.
Types Of Student Visa In Sweden
If you’re planning to study in Sweden there are some types of visa issued to international students. The following type of visas are:
| Student Visa (Visa Type C) | Resident Permit (Visa Type D) |
| A short-term visa for non-EU/EEA students
For course duration less than 3 months
Applicable for vocational courses, internships in Sweden |
A long-term visa for non-EU/EEA students
For course duration more than 3 months
Applicable for Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree in Sweden |
Sweden Study Visa Requirements
In order to apply for a study visa in Sweden, you must fulfil all the mandatory visa requirements. The visa requirements are as follows:
Documents Required
When you visit the Swedish Migration Agency website to apply for a student visa, you will learn about the different types of documents required to submit your application successfully. Here is a list of documents required for a Sweden student visa:
- Enrolment letter from your desired college/university
- Passport with validity for at least 3 months after visa expiry
- Proof of Finance (bank statement and scholarship)
- Proof of tuition fees payment
- Health Insurance proof
- Recent Photographs
Financial Requirement
The cost of studying and living in Sweden is roughly about SEK 16,440 per month. As an international student in Sweden, you must have enough finances to cover this expense for the entire duration of the course. You are required to share the financial statements of your personal bank account(s) with the Swedish visa authorities. Additionally, if you have taken an education loan or have received a scholarship, you must provide documents for the same.
Language Requirement
While filling out the Sweden student visa application, you need not fulfil any specific language requirements. Rather, you would be required to submit proof of your language proficiency to the college/university authorities to secure an offer letter. The commonly accepted English language proficiency test in the Swedish universities are as follows –
- TOEFL iBT
- IELTS Academic
- PTE Academic
- C1 Advanced
Sweden Student Visa Fees
The Sweden study visa cost is nearly about SEK 1,500 which is approximately INR 11293 or USD 142 at the current exchange rate. You can make the visa fee payment through your debit or credit card (both Visa and MasterCard are accepted). While making the online payment, make sure that you have the requisite amount in your bank account and that your cards are enabled for international transactions.
Read Also: Austria Inviting Applications for Working Holiday Visa Scheme 2025
Sweden Student Visa Process
The Sweden study visa process can appear a little complex for students who are applying for a visa for the first time. Here is how you can get a student visa for Sweden from India:
- Step 1 – Get your enrolment letter
- Step 2 – Pay your first tuition fee instalment
- Step 3 – Arrange your supporting documents
- Step 4 – Login to the Swedish Migration Agency website
- Step 5 – Fill the visa application form
- Step 6 – Submit all the documents
- Step 7 – Pay the visa application fee
- Step 6 – Visit your local embassy for the visa interview
Sweden Student Visa Processing Time
After you submit all the required documents and pay the Sweden student visa fee, the Swedish Migration Agency reviews your application. Once all your documents are thoroughly verified, the Swedish embassy will send an approved visa to you. This whole visa processing period can last upto 90 days. If you want to reduce the visa processing time, then submit your application and documents through the Swedish Migration Agency website.
Where to Apply for a Sweden Student Visa?
You can apply for the Sweden study visa both online as well as offline.
- For the offline method, visit your nearest Swedish embassy or consulate.
- For the online method, then visit the Swedish Migration Agency website and submit your visa application and pay the visa fees.
When to Apply for a Sweden Student Visa?
Once you are accepted to a Swedish university and receive their offer letter, you must apply for your study visa. Since it takes almost 90 days to complete the Sweden student visa process, it is recommended that you start your visa application process almost 3 months prior to your date of arrival in Sweden.
Sweden Student Visa Interview
The last and final step of the Sweden student visa application is the interview. Upon completing the application process, you must appear for an interview at the Swedish embassy or the nearest visa application centre. The motive of the interview is to judge whether you are a good candidate for the student visa for Sweden.
