Exchange students

If you are a citizen of a country outside the EU and you are planning to study for longer than three months, you must have a residence permit. The permit must have been issued before you can travel to Sweden. Follow the instructions for how to apply for a residence permit on the Swedish Migration Agency’s website External link, opens in new window. or contact the closest Swedish Embassy or Swedish Consulate External link, opens in new window..

Please remember that you cannot apply for a residence permit unless you have been admitted to full time accredited university studies in Sweden. The application fee for a residence permit can be found on the Swedish Migration Agency’s website External link, opens in new window.. 

You will need the following when you apply for a residence permit:

• Your Letter of Acceptance
• Proof of emergency insurance (in your Letter of Acceptance)
• A passport valid for the duration of the studies in Sweden
• A bank statement in your name in English with the currency clearly stated, showing that you have enough funds to support yourself for the duration of the permit period you apply for.

Please note that you can submit your application for residence permit (for study) at the earliest 4 months before the date you set as the permit start date. The current maintenance requirement can be found on the Swedish Migration Agency’s website External link, opens in new window., about half-way down on the page.

Please note that "mobility studies" (as it is mentioned on the Migration Agency's website) is not the same as regular exchange studies. As an exchange student, you should apply for a normal residence permit for higher education.