As part of its efforts to strengthen competitiveness and ensure access to highly skilled talent, Sweden is working to attract and retain more international researchers and doctoral students. The Swedish Government has therefore presented a legislative proposal aimed at improving migration conditions for international doctoral students, researchers and students, while also addressing the risk of misuse of residence permits for studies.

Among the key proposals is that international doctoral students and researchers will be able to obtain permanent residence permits more quickly. Doctoral students are also proposed to receive residence permits specifically for research purposes. In addition, improved opportunities are introduced to change the grounds for residence permits from within Sweden, as well as extended residence permits to allow graduates more time to seek employment after completing their studies or research. 

"We must become better at attracting the best researchers and create better conditions for them to stay in Sweden. Therefore, the government wants to make it easier for them to obtain a permanent residence permit in Sweden," says Lotta Edholm, Minister of Upper Secondary Education, Higher Education and Research.

At the same time, the proposal includes measures to reduce the misuse of study-related residence permits. These include limiting the possibility for international students to work alongside their studies, introducing stricter requirements for study progression, and enabling the Government to define acceptable levels of academic progress. New provisions are also proposed to allow residence permits for students’ family members to be revoked under certain conditions. 

The legislative amendments are proposed to enter into force on 11 June 2026.

For more information: https://www.regeringen.se/contentassets/b84fbe28d2744e5f8ac0fcde2784fb19/battre-migrationsrattsliga-regler-for-forskare-och-studenter-ds-202431.pdf 

https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2026/01/forbattrade-forutsattningar-for-utlandska-doktorander-och-forskare-att-verka-i-sverige-samt-atgarder-for-att-motverka-att-uppehallstillstand-for-studier-missbrukas/  

Source: Eurydice Unit Sweden