Government proposes improved conditions for foreign doctoral students and researchers, and measures to counter abuse of residence permits for studies

“Attracting more international expertise and talent to Sweden is one of the Government’s top priorities. It’s essential for our competitiveness. With today’s decision to improve conditions for international doctoral students, researchers and talent looking to advance their career in Sweden, we’re taking another step in the right direction. At the same time, we’re also ensuring that residence permits for studies are only granted to those who actually intend to study, to counteract abuse of the system,” says Minister for Migration Johan Forssell. 

The Government’s bill includes the following proposals.

• Improving possibilities for research and doctoral students, and their family members, to apply for residence permits.
• Making it possible to grant doctoral students residence permits for research.
• Making it possible to grant researchers and doctoral students expedited permanent residence permits.
• Making it possible to grant researchers and doctoral students extended residence permits to seek work after completion of their research or studies.
• Restricting the possibilities for those who have been granted residence permits for studies to work.
• Stricter requirements regarding acceptable academic progress, and to switch from a residence permit for studies to a residence permit for work.
• Introduction of more possibilities for withdrawal of a residence permit for family members of students.

The bill also includes a proposal on a new act with specific provisions on granting of residence permits in response to the mass displacement of refugees from Ukraine.

It is proposed that the legislative amendments enter into force on 11 June 2026.