Residence permits for doctoral studies

Please ensure that you refer to the most up-to-date information available on the Migrationsverket's official website and supplement any missing details in this document with official sources. Please note that this document is intended to be used as a supplementary resource to aid you in your application.

Background

If you have a residence permit and will continue studying after your permit expires, you must apply to extend it before your current permit expires. Apply no earlier than six months before your current permit expires. A residence permit for doctoral studies can be granted for up to four years at a time.

Always refer to the updated information through the Migrationsverket’s official website.

Documents needed for extension:

a copy of your valid passport
a copy of documents that show that you have, or have applied for, a comprehensive health insurance policy that is valid in Sweden (if you are not registered in Sweden and you are admitted to studies for less than one year)
documents that show that you have a doctoral grant or employment as a doctoral candidate with information on the monthly amount and the period during which you receive the money, or documents issued in your name that show that you have a stipend or the like with information on the monthly amount and the period during which you will receive the money, or account statements that show that you have money for your support for the time for which you are applying for a residence permit

This depends on the conditions of funding and employment as stated above. Still, in usual circumstances, for employed PhD students at Chalmers, this is shown using the below documents,

- Past three month pay slips (You can download via My page->Wage statement from Primula by yourself)
- Certificate of employment : You can apply via Primula via My page -> Certificate of employment and receive it from LRS to the email. This is different from the Contract. Better and no harm if the contract is also provided together with the certificate of employment.
- The attestation of third-cycle studies document described below. In addition to the other needed information in this document, it will include details about your employment and salary. Refer the below for more details.

A certificate from your university that shows that you have been admitted to continued studies and that you have made acceptable progress in your studies. You can refer the university to the Swedish Migration Agency’s checklist.

This is usually the attestation of third-cycle studies signed by the examiner. In the attestation document there are different templates you can refer to depending on different scenarios such as employment type, study scope and your time of stay in Sweden.

Other useful conditions to know:

The Swedish Migration Agency may need to check your passport before a decision can be made. You will then need to visit one of the Swedish Migration Agency's service centers to present your passport. In some cases, you will not be required to present your passport, for example, if Migrationsverket has already checked your passport during a previous visit.

Main contact points: ISMO, LRS at Chalmers

In case of delays affecting business/work related travel:

Contact the Case officer first and if needed the below,

https://www.migrationsverket.se/Andra-aktorer/Anordnare-av-hogre-utbildning/Fran-ansokan-till-beslut/Studier-vid-hogre-utbildning/Sa-handlagger-Migrationsverket.html

While the Migrationsverket in Örebro can be a valuable resource, it's important to note that faster processing cannot be guaranteed, and the agency does not provide priority processing in their terms. However, in the event of severe delays that may impact your ability to attend conferences or work, it can be beneficial to establish contact with the agency, either individually or through your examiner.

Last updated 06.03.2023