Residence Permits

How to apply for a residence permit

Step 1: Be admitted to full-time studies and pay your tuition fee (if applicable)
You must be admitted and have paid your tuition fee before your application can be processed.

Step 2: Apply via the Swedish Migration Agency
Submit your application online, upload all supporting documents (see details below),.
You must also pay the application fee (1,500 SEK per applicant).

Requirements for your residence permit application

To be granted a residence permit, you must meet the following requirements and provide supporting documentation.

You must be admitted to full-time studies (30 credits per semester)
Your studies must take place on campus in Sweden
Submit your Notification of Selection Results (PDF admissions decision in your Universityadmissions.se account)

Your tuition fee must be paid before your residence permit application is processed
The Migration Agency is informed of your payment by Dalarna University

You do not send any proof of payment to the Migration Agency.

You must have a valid passport
A residence permit cannot be granted for a longer period than your passport is valid

If possible, make sure your passport is valid for the entire duration of your planned studies before applying.

You must show that you can support yourself financially during your studies
If you apply with family members, you must also show funds for them
The funds must be in an account in your name and available to you
Financial support from private individuals (sponsors) is not accepted

For 2026 you need to show:

10,656 SEK per month
4,440 SEK per month for a spouse/partner who will join you in Sweden
2,664 SEK per month for each accompanying child

If your studies are longer than 12 months, you are covered after registration in Sweden
If your studies are shorter than 12 months, you must have valid health insurance.

Dalarna University provides a valid health insurance for admitted students.

Read more about your insurance coverage at Dalarna University: Insurance for international students

You must explain why you have chosen your programme and how it relates to your previous education or experience. The Migration Agency may assess whether your study plans are credible and relevant.

You can provide this information in the online application using available text fields, even if no specific question is asked. You may also be asked to explain your study intentions in an interview.

Clear and relevant explanations may support your application, while unclear or inconsistent information may affect the outcome.

You can apply for a residence permit for up to two years at a time, but not longer than the duration of your studies
You must show financial support for the full period you apply for
Your residence permit cannot be granted for a longer period than your passport is valid

When applying, you must enter a start and end date.

The Migration Agency normally approves permits:

from two weeks before the start of the semester
to two weeks after the end of your final semester

Use the following dates when completing your application:

For 60 credit master’s programmes starting in August 2026:

17 August, 2026 to 20 June, 2027

For 120 credit master’s programmes starting in August 2026:

17 August, 2026 to 18 June, 2027

For 180 credit bachelor’s programmes starting in August 2026:

17 August, 2026 to 18 June, 2027

After you apply

Once you have submitted your application:

The Migration Agency does not provide ongoing updates during processing and will only contact you by email if additional information is required
Processing times vary and may be several months, and Dalarna University cannot influence the processing time or outcome of your application

EU/EEA citizens

Do not need a residence permit to study in Sweden

Swiss citizens

Need a residence permit if studies are longer than three months

Non-EU/EEA citizens

Need a residence permit to study in Sweden
Only studies conducted in Sweden qualify

When should I apply for a residence permit?

You should apply as soon as you have been admitted and paid your tuition fee (if applicable).
The Migration Agency will not process your applications until the tuition fee has been received.

How long does it take to get a decision and how can I speed up my application?

Processing times vary and may be several months.
There is no way for applicants or the university to influence processing times.
You can see the average current processing time at the Migration Agency website.

Can I get updates from the Migration Agency and/or help from the university during the process?

The Migration Agency does not provide ongoing updates during processing.
You will only be contacted if additional information is required.

Dalarna University cannot contact the Migration Agency on your behalf or influence your application.

What happens after I submit my application?

Your application will be processed by the Swedish Migration Agency.
You will only be contacted if additional information is required.

Will I need to visit a Swedish embassy or consulate?

Most students will need to visit a Swedish embassy or consulate as part of the residence permit process.

If this is requested, you will receive instructions by email from the Migration Agency on how to book an appointment and what to bring.

During your visit, you may be asked to:

show your passport
provide biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) for your residence permit card
attend an interview to better understand your reasons for wanting to study the programme you have been admitted to

Not all Swedish embassies and consulates can handle biometric data. You may need to visit a specific embassy, sometimes in another country.

Can I start my studies if I have not received my residence permit in time?

If your studies are campus-based, you must have a valid residence permit before travelling to Sweden and starting your studies. If you have not received a decision by the start of your studies, you will usually not be able to begin on time.

Some programmes allow late registration for a limited period (typically 1–3 weeks after the start of classes). However, you must have received your residence permit and be able to travel to Sweden before the final registration date. Please note that the Swedish Migration Agency will not grant a residence permit if it is no longer possible for you to begin your studies.

If your studies are conducted online, you may be able to begin without a residence permit. However, if your application is later rejected, no refund of tuition fees will be made.

I have been told that my application is incomplete – what should I do?

If your application is incomplete, the Migration Agency will contact you by email with instructions on what additional information or documents are required.

Follow the instructions provided and submit the requested information as soon as possible. This is a normal part of the process and does not mean that your application will be rejected.

Incomplete applications may take longer to process and may affect the outcome if the requested information is not provided.

Can I work while studying in Sweden?

If you have a residence permit for studies in Sweden, you are allowed to work.

The Swedish government has proposed changes to limit working hours for international students. If approved, this may mean a maximum of 15 hours of work per week during the semester.

As rules may change, always check the Migration Agency website for current information.

You can listen to a report on the proposed changes from Swedish Radio:
"Sweden's new rules for foreign students and researchers — here's what's changing" (English audio).

What happens if my residence permit application is rejected?

If your application is rejected, you will be informed by the Swedish Migration Agency.

You can collect your decision from the Swedish embassy or consulate specified in your application. The decision explains why your application was rejected and includes information about how to appeal.

You have two options if rejected:

appeal the decision
request a refund of your tuition fees (link)

It is not possible to defer your admission if your residence permit application is denied.

Tuition fee refunds are issued in accordance with Dalarna University’s Rules for Fee-Paying Students (PDF).