Sweden Student Visa - Eligibility, Requirements, How to Apply

Sweden is one of Europe’s preferred destinations for international students, as it offers the freedom to pursue various courses in different domains, which are taught in English. Another reason Sweden is a promising destination is the number of Nobel Prize winners in this country. Currently, Sweden is hosting 90,000 international students, and the number is increasing every year. However, the student visa Sweden process is strict, and they verify and analyze every document carefully. In this guide, we will walk you through the entire study visa for Sweden application process, which will help you avoid common mistakes and secure your visa approval.

Types of Student Visas for Studying in Sweden

The study visa Sweden has two sub-types, and the correct type of visa you need to choose depends on the duration of your stay.

Residence Permit for Studies (Long-Term Stay):

If your course duration exceeds three months, you need to apply for a residence permit. The validity period of the visa is the same as the course duration; however, you have the option to extend the visa validity.

Short-Term Visa (Schengen Visa):

If you plan to stay in Sweden for less than three months, you need to apply for a short-term student visa. This is typically for short-term courses and exchange programs, and the validity of this visa is non-extendable.

Sweden Student Visa Eligibility Criteria for Indian students

To apply for a student visa Sweden, you must meet certain eligibility criteria. Refer to the list below for the requirements:

Age Requirement:

There is no specific age requirement for the visa; however, ensure that you meet the age criteria as per the university’s guidelines.

Admission to a Recognized Institution:

The Letter of Acceptance (LOA) is mandatory for the student visa application. Thus, LOA should be accredited by the Swedish National Agency for Higher Education (UKÄ).

Valid Passport:

To apply for the student visa, you must provide a passport that is valid for at least three months longer than the validity of the student visa.

Language and Financial Requirements for Sweden Study Visa

To get settled in a foreign country, you need finance and language proficiency for an easy transition. Thus, here are the language and financial requirements to obtain a student visa Sweden.

Language Requirements:

Sweden offers programs in English, especially at the master’s level. But the Swedish language requirement for the visa isn't mandatory. The proof of English proficiency is required if your program is taught in English. The minimum English score required is:

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  Minimum overall band score of 6.5, with no section below 5.5.
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  For TOEFL iBT, a minimum score of 90 (with at least 20 in the written test).
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  However, PTE Academic is accepted by some universities, usually with a score of 62 or above.

Note: Always check your university's specific language requirements, as they may be higher than the visa requirements.

Financial Requirements:

To qualify for the student visa Sweden, you need to fulfil the Sweden student visa financial requirements documents. As of 2025, the Swedish Migration Agency requires students to show proof of funds of around INR 78,000 per month for the entire duration of their study.

Key financial documentation includes:

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  Personal bank account statements (with recent 3–6 months transaction history).
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  Scholarship letters (if applicable).
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  Financial support letter from a sponsor (along with their bank statements and proof of relationship).

Documents Required for Sweden Study Visa

Before you start applying for the student visa Sweden, you are required to provide several documents. Below are the Sweden student visa requirements for indian students:

Passport:

Ensure that you have a passport with correct information and no damage. Also, verify that the details mentioned on the passport match those in your other documents.

Photographs:

You are required to submit two passport-sized photographs with a clean white background and a face-focused image.

University Confirmation:

One of the mandatory documents required for the visa application is the Letter of Acceptance (LOA). This letter is used to evaluate your academic qualifications and calculate your funds.

Educational Qualifications:

Even if you have provided the LOA, you must also provide your educational certificates. If they are in Hindi, make sure to get translated copies of the certificates.

Language Proficiency:

As students are planning to pursue a course in English, but come from a country where English is not the first language. You must provide a language certificate to prove your proficiency. 

Proof of Funds:

Proof of funds is an important and most sensitive part of the Sweden study visa application, and many applications are rejected because of insufficient funds. The Sweden study visa requirements include some important proof of funds documents during the visa application:

1. 
   Official bank statement from the sponsor’s bank. 
2. 
   Income tax return for the past two years, confirming the sponsor has a stable income.
3. 
   Proof of immediate access to funds for one year’s tuition fees and living expenses. 

Language Proficiency Certificate:

You will need to submit your language proficiency certificate, each university has its accepted scores, so ensure you secure the minimum required score. During the visa application, the authenticity of these scores will be confirmed.

Travel Insurance:

International students are required to have travel insurance to cover their medical expenses in case of any issues. This ensures that students can access medical facilities at affordable rates.

Proof of Accommodation:

The accommodation proof is required to confirm that you have a place to stay during your initial days in Sweden. Attach hotel reservations or a document supporting on-campus living in your visa application. 

Return Flight Ticket:

You are required to provide your travel dates and, for short-term student visas, a return ticket is mandatory.

Application Process for the Student Visa Sweden 

When you are ready with all the documents, apply online Sweden study visa. You can use the step-by-step process below to apply for a study visa in Sweden:

Sweden Immigration Website:

Apply online Sweden study visa through the Sweden immigration website. Choose the visa type, create an account, and fill out the application form. Alternatively, you can download the application form through VFS Global and submit it to the embassy. 

Complete The Form:

Read the instructions before uploading the documents. Don’t miss any sections, and be sure to review the form before submitting it.

Pay the Application Fee:

After filling out all the details, pay the application fee and submit your form.

Book the Appointment:

When you have submitted the visa application and received the acknowledgment email. Apply for the visa appointment through VFS Global. 

Attend the Interview:

You will receive an email mentioning the appointment details. Make sure to reach the embassy early and be well-prepared for the interview.

Track the Application:

The processing time for the Sweden student visa is around 4-6 weeks. Be sure to track the application status and follow the procedures after receiving the approval.

Cost of Living & Accommodation

The Sweden study visa requirements include proof of funds, which includes all the expenses related to the Sweden study visa cost. Refer to the table below to know the estimated monthly expenses:

Common Interview Questions for Sweden Student Visa

The Sweden student visa includes an interview in the Sweden study visa process. The visa officer may cross-question you during the interview. They use this to assess whether you have researched and planned well for your studies. Here are some common questions asked by the visa officer:

Why are you pursuing this course in Sweden when it's available in India?

India has many institutions that offer a wide range of courses with good placement. However, the visa officer will question your level of understanding. Therefore, research your career goals thoroughly and compare them with the Indian education system.

Where are you going to stay during your studies?

The visa officer knows that you are unfamiliar with the place. Yet, you should know about the street and area where you plan to stay, and provide context by explaining all the researched information.

What are your study plans?

This is one of the most common questions in a Sweden student visa interview. The visa officer asks this to confirm that you have the intention to return to India after completing your course. Ensure that you emphasize your plans to return to India.

What are your expectations after completing the course?

Every student has their expectations for what they hope to gain from the course, whether it's financial benefits or skill development. Explain your expectations clearly with logical reasoning.

Rejection Reasons for the Study Visa Sweden

Several factors are related to the rejection of a study visa Sweden. The rejection rate for Sweden student visas is approximately 20% to 30%. The most common reasons for rejection include:

Incomplete Documentation:

Forgetting to upload documents or uploading the wrong documents required for Sweden student visa is a common mistake. Ensure that you double-check every document and properly name the files to avoid confusion during the upload process.

Insufficient Monetary Funds:

Sweden study visa requirements for indian include the funds documents. These documents are verified to ensure that the student has enough funds to support their education and living expenses in Sweden. In case the funds are not satisfactory, the student visa Sweden application is rejected.

To avoid this rejection, use an education loan as financial aid. Check your Eligibility and get started on your Sweden journey.

Incorrect Visa:

A Schengen visa is valid for only six months, while students applying for a long-term student visa must apply for a residence permit. Many students get confused and mistakenly apply for a short-term visa instead of a long-term residence visa.

Discrepancies in Information:

Submitting forged or inaccurate documents can lead to rejection. Even if a document seems unimportant, you are required to submit only authentic documents. Many students are caught and face the consequences of this mistake. 

Unclear Purpose of Visit:

Don’t view the Sweden study visa as an escape route, as visa officers can often sense it. Plan well and answer confidently when the visa officer enquires about your future plans. Also, include India somewhere in your future prospects to convey your genuine intentions to study upon arriving in Sweden.

Documents Required for Residence Permit

In the Sweden student visa process, the residence permit is an important document. But, you have to apply for it when you land in Sweden; thus, knowing its requirements is part of the Sweden student visa process.

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  Valid passport (with at least 6 months’ validity)
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  Admission letter from a Swedish university
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  Proof of full or partial tuition fee payment
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  Proof of sufficient funds
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  Proof of English language proficiency
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  Health insurance (mandatory if studying for less than a year)
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  Completed residence permit application form (online via the Swedish Migration Agency)
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  Recent passport-size photographs

Make sure all documents are translated into English or Swedish, and attach certified copies if required.

Ways to Afford Monthly Expenses in Sweden

The Sweden student visa financial requirements can be a concern for many students, but to decrease the burden, students can opt for other ways to manage living costs while studying in Sweden.

Part-time Work:

Sweden student visa work hours allow 20 hours per week during the semester. This restriction is to ensure a balance between work and studies. Still, a student can expect SEK 100-130 per hour as income. 

Scholarships & Grants:

Students can take advantage of the Swedish Institute Scholarships, University-specific scholarships, or the Erasmus+ Program (for EU-affiliated institutions). Every scholarship and grant has its own requirements. Thus, confirm before applying for the one. 

Student Discounts & Budgeting:

Most of the student cards offer discounts on transport, entertainment, and groceries. Students can also live in a housing to cut down costs.

Conclusion

You don’t need to panic about all the details. Just create a checklist of the required documents and bookmark the application link for the student visa Sweden. Using this, you can create a checklist and have all the important details of the Sweden student visa. Use the official website before planning or preparing. If you're worried about the admission process, use the Admit Predictor and know your chances of admission to your dream university. 

Frequently Asked Questions