Passports, visas and work permits
Passport
A valid passport is necessary when visiting Sweden, unless you are a EU/EEA citizen. For EU/EEA citizens, a national ID card is sufficient. However, we recommend that you bring your passport, as it is required if you want to open a Swedish bank account.
Non–EU/EEA citizens
Visa
If you wish to visit Sweden, you might need a visa. On the Swedish government's website, you can find a list of countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Sweden. A visa is a permit which is required for you to enter and remain in Sweden for a period of a maximum of 90 days - for example, to visit relatives or friends, as a tourist, on business, to attend a conference or as a doctoral exchange student. You must apply for the visa before entering Sweden. More information can be found at the Swedish Migration Agency's website.
Residence permit for researchers
If your main work at the university will be research and you will stay in Sweden for more than three months, you should apply for a residence permit as a researcher. As a doctoral student you can also apply for a residence permit for research. Your residence permit must be granted before you arrive in Sweden. To be considered a researcher, you must have a university or college education that qualifies you for admission to doctoral studies, and your primary work at the university must be research. If you are staying less than three months, you may need to apply for a visa to enter Sweden.
Members of your family can obtain residence permits for the same period of time as yours.
Residence permit for higher studies (doctoral students)
If you are admitted as a doctoral student in Sweden and don´t want to apply for a residence permit for research, you can apply for a residence permit for higher studier (doctoral studies)Your residence permit must be granted before you arrive in Sweden. If you are studying in Sweden for less than three months, you may need to apply for a visa to enter Sweden.
Members of your family can obtain residence permits for the same period of time as yours.
Work Permit
If you want to work in Sweden, you need to obtain a work permit. Work permits are applicable to teachers and administrative/technical staff. Other categories are described above. To obtain a work permit, you must have received an offer of employment in Sweden.
Citizens of certain countries need both a work permit and a visa for jobs lasting less than three months.
Please note that teachers at higher education institutions who participate in research, teaching, or lecturing activities for up to three months in total over a period of 12 months may work in Sweden without a work permit. However, individuals from some countries may still need a visa to enter Sweden.
The general rule is that you must apply for and obtain a work permit before entering Sweden. You will receive a permit for the duration of your employment, but not beyond the validity period of your passport. A work permit can be granted for up to two years at a time.
If you obtain a permit to work in Sweden, your family members can receive residence permits for the same period. If you receive a permit valid for at least six months, your family members may also be eligible for work permits.
More information about a work permit can be found at the Swedish Migration Agency's website.