Residence Permit Guide
First, a disclaimer about the information provided in this document.
Hyper Island is not affiliated with the Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket), and we cannot influence their decision to award residence permits. The information provided in this document is correct to the best of our knowledge, but the agency might change their policies without us being aware. For that reason, always refer directly with the Swedish Migration Agency to find the most up-to-date information.
Please note that applications for residence permits are processed by the Swedish Migration Agency, NOT by Hyper Island.
The residence permit application is the student’s responsibility.
Visit their website here.
Page last updated 26 May 2025.
1. General Information
As an international student from outside of the EU, you will be required to apply for a Residence Permit for Other Studies during your on campus study period of six months.
Preparing for your application:
Now that you’ve been admitted to Hyper Island and signed your Student Agreement; you can start preparing your application for Residence Permit for Other Studies via The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket).
When to submit your application:
The earliest date you can submit your residence permit application is May 8th, 2025, as the Migration Agency will reject all applications submitted earlier than four months before the program start date.
We recommend submitting your application no later than May 30th, 2025.
Teesside University Accreditation
You will need to apply for the “Other Studies” residence permit category as our Master’s degree programs are a collaboration between Hyper Island and our accrediting partner Teesside University in the UK.
2. What you can expect
This is an overview of what your permit will allow you to do:
- You’re not allowed to earn income or work while on a student residence permit in Sweden. This also applies during your Industry Research Project period; if you choose to extend your residence permit for Other Studies to complete the IRP in Sweden it must be an unpaid placement.
- You will not qualify to apply for a Looking for Work After Studies residence permit.
If you intend on staying in Sweden for your IRP, you will need to apply for an extension of your residence permit for other studies before your initial permit expires. You will need to complete your IRP in industry in an internship/placement, and provide the Migration Agency with a support letter from your employer, among other documents.
Kindly note that Migrationsverket has indicated that each extension case is different and will be analyzed on a case-by-case basis to reach a decision.
3. Requirements for application
You can apply for your permit online.
Please read more about the requirements for an online application on this page.
Make sure you’ve read all the document requirements on this webpage.
As a short summary, you must:
- Have a valid passport – Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the period of stay.
- Be accepted for full-time studies
- Be covered by fully-comprehensive health insurance that is valid in Sweden (make sure you are covered a few weeks before the program starts to a few weeks after the taught part of the program (i.e. August 25th 2025 to April 6th 2026)
- Have enough money to support yourself during your study period (more details below)
- Have paid minimum the first installment of the program fee
Hyper Island program documents required:
- Your completed student agreement
- Your Hyper Island residence permit support letter (It will be sent to you through email prior to your application date)
- Your payment receipt from your first tuition installment (It will be sent to you through email prior to your application date)
The documents should also be translated into Swedish or English by certified translators if the contents are in another language. Copies of the original document must always be enclosed with translations of documents.
4. Financial Requirements
You need to show that you can support yourself during your studies. The Agency will ask you to show that you have a minimum of SEK 10,584 for each month you are applying for.
At the time of your application, you must show that you can support yourself for about 9 months or more to be safe. We would certainly recommend that you have a minimum of 105,840 SEK in your account by the time of application.
You must show that you have funds for the period for which you are applying (a bank statement showing that you have your own funds to support yourself. This bank statement should be dated in connection with the time of application and be translated into English. You must also show that you have your support secured by means of verification of your own bank assets, a scholarship or similar means of support. The Agency will not consider it as your own assets if you share the account with, for example, your parents or a relative.
Your own bank assets are money in an account that belongs to you and from which only you and your husband or wife, if you have one, can withdraw money. If you are under the age of 18, your guardians’ accounts may also apply as a basis for your living expense support. Credit, funds or shares are not counted as your own bank assets. Assets in a microfinance bank are also not approved. - Migrationsverket, 2024
If the assets in your account are by means of a recent transfer from your family or acquaintance, you must enclose a signed letter of donation. If you will be receiving a grant or similar, you must enclose a recently prepared document in your name with the details of the monthly or total amount. The document must indicate the period you will be receiving the grant for, and the total amount of money that you will receive to freely use for your living expenses during the study period in Sweden.
5. Health Insurance
Healthcare guidelines vary depending on your country of citizenship:
- EU-EEA students (including Switzerland):
As an EU/EEA student, you are entitled to receive essential healthcare for the same patient fee as Swedish citizens, as long as you have your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
- Non EU-EEA students:
All non-EU/EEA students: As a requirement of your residence permit application AND as a requirement from Hyper Island, you need to show proof of comprehensive health insurance coverage for the whole time you will be in Sweden. The insurance must cover costs for emergency and other medical care, dental care, and hospital stays. It must also cover expenses for transportation home for medical reasons. Here are some possible companies to consider: Aon, IMG Global. You are responsible for confirming that your chosen provider and coverage plan meet the requirements from the Migration Agency.
- If you cannot prove health insurance coverage, you can be denied entry into Sweden as well as access to medical care. Please don’t let this be you.
- For residence permit reasons, please make sure that you are covered a few weeks before the program starts to a few weeks after the taught part of the program ends.
If you need to consult a doctor, you can make an appointment at a local health clinic (Vårdcentral). This usually costs 150 – 300 SEK for a consultation. Emergency consultations can cost 400 SEK. You can also call 1177 for free over the phone for medical guidance, or search for information here.
NOTE: International students own complete responsibility for their personal items such as computer, screen, mobile phone etc. Ensure your computer or other valuable belongings are insured against theft, burglary, fire, water damage and accidents. As an international student, you are required to obtain your own insurance in order to protect yourself and your property while in Sweden.
6. Time to Decision
Once you have submitted your application, the handling times can vary depending on the country you are applying from. It is also a shorter processing time for complete applications.
To enable the Migration Agency to make a decision on your case, all details must be complete and all the necessary documents must be enclosed. This means that the processing time is shorter if everything required is included from the start, rather than having to provide additional information afterward.
To get an idea of how long you will need to wait for a decision, you can visit the site Time to a decision.
We also suggest you check your status here.
You can always give them a call if a lot of time goes by:
Their number is +46 771 235 235
You can email them directly at: umea-tillstandsenhet1@migrationsverket.se
You can also contact them through their website: Contact the Migration Agency
7. Biometrics
If you need a visa to travel to Sweden
If you do not need a visa to travel to Sweden
You should go to the Swedish embassy or consulate-general in the country you are permanently residing in to organize for submission of your biometric data (photos and fingerprint) soon after submitting your residence permit application.
Not all embassies or consulates-general have the possibility to photograph you and take your fingerprints.
Contact the embassy or consulate-general before your visit for more information. Read more at the website of the embassy or consulate-general before your visit. Swedish embassies and consulates-general
Find out if you need a visa to travel to Sweden: HERE
You should visit the Migration Agency to be photographed and fingerprinted as soon as possible after your arrival in Sweden.
When your residence permit card is ready, it will be sent to your address in Sweden.
However, your permit must be granted before you travel to Sweden.
Book an appointment with the Migration Agency for having your photograph and fingerprints taken
The Migration Agency's visiting addresses and opening hours
Read more about your residence permit card: Here
8. After the decision has been made
Your residence permit must be granted prior to entering Sweden.
It may result in a negative decision if you travel to Sweden prior to receiving your residence permit.
9. If your application gets rejected
If the Migration Agency refuses your application, you can appeal the decision within three weeks from the date when you were informed of the decision. Your decision contains information about how to do so.
Grounds for negative results include:
- Not showing that you have the proper funds available or full insurance coverage can result in a negative decision.
- Also, if you include in your application that you intend to stay in Sweden after completing your studies can be grounds for a negative decision. The answer to both questions should be your country of origin.
See example: 
Good Luck with your application!
Got questions?
Contact us:
Vivian Davis
Customer Success Specialist at Hyper Island and your main contact for anything immigration-related.
Email: vivian.davis@hyperisland.com
Phone: +46 76 496 0330
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