Permit to Look for Work or Start a Business After Studies
🇸🇪 Sweden visas · Work
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Permit to Look for Work or Start a Business After Studies
Permit to Look for Work or Start a Business After Studies
Sweden · Work
What it is
Residence permit allowing those who have completed higher education in Sweden to stay to look for work or start a business.
Key facts
- Category
- Work
- Duration
- Length per Migrationsverket.
- Processing time
- Migrationsverket publishes only past-average waiting-time statistics, not a decision deadline.
- Maximum validity
- 2 years
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Indirect route
- Dependants
- Yes
- How to apply
- Online
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (main)
- SEK 2,200
- Application fee (exempt: citizens of Japan pay no application fee)
- SEK 0
Key requirements
- Completed higher education in Sweden
- Ability to support yourself financially
- Comprehensive health insurance
Working on this visa
Salary floor waived on the first application: if you hold a student or researcher permit in Sweden when you apply, you are exempt from the work-permit salary requirement; it may apply again when you extend.
Bringing family
Spouse, registered or cohabiting partner and children under 21 may apply at the same time; adult members and children turning 16 may work. Fee carve-out: “Citizens of Japan do not pay an application fee.”
Money you must show
2025 level, left after rent; only if family apply with you
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 2 August 2026.