Residence Permits - Permission to study in Sweden

Residence permit applications are handled by the Swedish Migration Board.

Students from countries outside the EU/EEA

In general, all students from countries outside the EU/EEA need to have a residence permit to study in Sweden. You need to apply for and receive your permit before you travel to Sweden. The permit must be valid and you need to bring it with you when you travel to Sweden.

Students who need a residence permit are advised to apply as soon as you receive your admission results/notification of selection results, or your letter of acceptance if you are an exchange student.

Applications for residence permits are processed by the Swedish Migration Board, NOT the University. The residence permit application is your responsibility. Your admission results/notification of results or letter of acceptance is necessary in order to start the application process and for the Swedish Migration Board to complete it.

Exchange students

Exchange students coming to Sweden from a non-EU/EEA country may need a residence permit or visa to enter Sweden, depending on your citizenship.

Exchange students are advised to apply for a residence permit or visa at the Swedish Embassy or Consulate in your home country, after you have received a letter of acceptance for exchange studies and in good time before travelling to Sweden.

Students from EU/EEA countries

You do not need a residence permit before you arrive if you come from an EU/EEA country. However, if you are studying for more than three months you must register with the Swedish Migration Board no later than three months after your arrival.

Residence permits - please note

• Lund University does not issue residence permits. The Swedish Migration Board will deal with your application.
• You must have your residence permit before you come to Sweden
• You will need a passport to obtain a residence permit
• Check that your passport does not expire during the duration of your studies
• You will need to have been accepted for studies at Lund University in order to obtain a permit
• Your application for a residence permit is made at the Swedish Embassy or Consulate in the country where you are officially a resident
• You will need to demonstrate that you have enough money to support yourself
• The application process takes time. Apply as soon as you have received your admission results or letter of acceptance - please leave as much time as possible for your application to be processed so that you will receive your permit in time for the start of the semester.