How to Obtain Permanent Residency in Sweden After Studies

Are you a student in Sweden? Or perhaps you wish to study in Sweden and are looking into how to get PR (Permanent Residency)? If so, you’re in luck because today’s guide will discuss how to obtain permanent residency in Sweden after studies.

Many international students who come to Sweden to further their studies frequently want to stay longer and, if possible, get permanent residency while they’re there. The Migration Agency views student permits as temporary, which means that they typically do not lead to permanent residency. As a result, getting a permanent residence in Sweden can be a little challenging.

An international student living and studying in Sweden with a Student Permit frequently needs to find employment or apply for further education to extend their stay before their Student Permit expires.

However, there is one exception to this rule: if you are granted or issued a permission for doctoral studies (PhD level), the number of years you spend in Sweden will be added to your total number of years of permanent residence. This means that you will be able to apply for a permanent residence after having a doctorate student permit for around 4 years. To get permanent residence and fulfill the requirements for permanent residence, the doctorate student permit can be paired with other types of licenses like researcher permits or job permits in order to meet the 4 years precondition.

See how to obtain a student visa in Sweden

What Is a Permanent Residence Permit

How to Obtain Permanent Residency in Sweden After Studies

A permanent residence permit is a legal document that entitles the holder to reside permanently within the jurisdiction in which the permission was issued or attained. After residing there for five to seven years, you can obtain lawful permanent residency in practically all EU nations. The permanent resident card, however, would need to be updated every five years.

Having the same rights as state citizens is one of the advantages of having a permanent residency permit. This entails that you are able to live, work, and conduct business permanently. You can even receive free education for your child. The sole restriction is that you won’t be permitted to hold public office or run for office.

Here’s why Sweden is the best place to study in Europe

Obtaining Permanent Residency After Studies

Verified Ways to Get a Swedish PR After Your Program

If you want to obtain a PR in Sweden after completing your education, there are various procedures to follow. To assist you in choosing the choice that best suits you, we’ll be examining the numerous possibilities that are accessible to you in this part.

• Residence permit for job search after studies
• Work permit
• EU Blue Card
• Self-employment permit
• Permanent residence permit

Residence Permit for Job Search After Studies

If you’re currently studying in Sweden and your student visa is set to expire, but you are unable to find employment, you can choose to extend your residence time for up to 12 months. However, you should be aware that the time restriction or frame cannot be extended if, after 12 months, you are unable to find employment or launch your own firm. Also keep in mind that you must submit your application prior to the expiration of your present permit.

Application Requirements for Residence Permit

You must fulfill the following criteria in order to be eligible for this permit:

• You must have successfully finished a program or degree in higher education that lasted at least two semesters.
• Your prior authorization has to be a Swedish residence permit for higher education. Additionally, you’ll be eligible if you completed at least two semesters of the educational program in Sweden and had a residence visa for mobility studies from another EU nation.
• You must be anticipating finding employment or researching your options for beginning your own business.
• While you are applying for and awaiting the approval of your residence permit, you must be able to support or care for yourself.
• You must already have, or have applied for, a valid, comprehensive health insurance policy in Sweden.

Document Checklist for Swedish Residence Permit

• A valid international passport
• A certificate from a Swedish college or university proving you’ve spent at least two semesters there
• Transcripts of studies and an examination certificate
• Certification from your manager (i.e., if you are a doctoral student in Sweden)
• Evidence of adequate cash to support living expense (must have a minimum of SEK 8,514 per month)
• Proof of healthcare protection

NB: After you have finished your studies, you must obtain a residence permit if you want your family members to also be given residence permits.

Work Permit

Getting a work visa is a fantastic place to start if you’re trying to figure out how to gain Swedish permanent residency after studying. Following the receipt of a job offer, your employer will need to start the process of obtaining a work visa for you. The permission, which may be a residence permit to look for work or a residence permit to pursue studies in Sweden, must be submitted, nevertheless, this has to be done before your present residence permit expires.

Requirements to Obtain a Work Permit

• Valid international passport
• You must have already received an offer of work with terms and a pay that is comparable to those stipulated by Swedish collective agreements for the sector or profession.
• You must receive a gross salary of at least SEK 13,000 per month.
• Once you start working, your employer must be prepared to offer life, health, employment, and pension insurance.
• You can apply for a residence permit for the same duration for your family members as well, your dependent may apply for a work permit if the issued permission is for a period of time longer than six months.

The EU Blue Card

Only highly skilled professionals are eligible to receive an EU Blue Card, which serves as a work and residency visa. You need to have five years of professional work experience, be employed in a specific profession, or hold a university degree in order to be eligible for this visa.

Eligibility Conditions for Employee

• Both the employee and the business must provide documentation when applying for an EU Blue Card.
• Current international passport with validity
• 180 university credits of college education, or five years of related professional experience
• A comprehensive health insurance program in Sweden that provides coverage for both medical and health care
• An employment agreement or high-caliber job offer that is valid for at least a year
• a wage that is at least 1.5 times higher than Sweden’s average pay

Eligibility Conditions for Employer

• Proof that the job offer is in Sweden, EU/EES or Switzerland for at least 10 days.
• A full employment offer with terms that are comparable to or on par with the Swedish collective agreements for the position being filled
• You should be aware that in order to qualify as highly qualified workers, EU Card holders must earn at least the Swedish income level each year. It was SEK 51,900 in 2020, however, current applicable rate is subject to inflationary adjustment.
• A residency permit for the same duration is also available for your family members.

Self-Employment Permit

Getting a self-employment permit is an additional ‘how to obtain Permanent Residency in Sweden after studies’ strategy. The good news is that you can work without a permission for up to three months whether or not you are a non-EU/EEA national. After three months, though, you’ll need to apply for a self-employed visa.

The permission is good for two years, but the visa processing time might be as lengthy as 10 to 15 months.

Requirements for Self-Employment Permit

• International passport with validity
• Prior experience operating your own firm as well as a wealth of knowledge in your sector.
• An appreciable understanding of Swedish or English- proven and verifiable
• Evidence showing you are in charge of the business, own at least half of it, and are ultimately responsible for it
• Evidence showing the company is manufacturing and/or selling its products in Sweden
• Adequate money during the first two years to support you and, if applicable, your family
• A trustworthy source of supporting evidence for your budget
• You must already have a network in Sweden and/or client contracts in place.
• Evidence showing your business has a two-year trial term during which its finances will be stable and, if relevant, you will be able to support yourself and your family. According to the Swedish national norm for income assistance + housing costs, the income support will be determined.
• You should be able to bring your family to Sweden if you have been granted a self-employed visa. They will need to apply for their own visa, though, and their stay will be the same length as yours under your self-employment authorization.

Permanent Residency Permit

How to Obtain Permanent Residency in Sweden After Studies

Non-EU nationals may be given permanent resident status after residing in Sweden for five years. Note that unless your residence permit is for doctoral studies or a higher degree, it does not count toward the five years of continuous stay in the nation.

Requirements for a Permanent Residence in Sweden

• You must have spent at least five years residing in Sweden.
• For the past five years, you have had a residence permit.
• You’ve demonstrated that you can provide for your family and yourself.

Generally, Sweden offers you lots of options and routes to ensure you remain in the country after your studies. you can apply for any of the aforementioned visas to enable you to live in Sweden for a minimum of five years before you can proceed with applying for a permanent residence permit. This is because a permanent residence permit cannot be granted unless you have lived in Sweden for at least five years.

As you should already be aware, once your application for a permanent residence card has been approved, you will have the same rights as an EU citizen. This has many advantages because it allows you to work, study, or even launch your own business in another EU nation. Additionally, your permission for permanent residence is valid while you are a resident.

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