The proposal will come as good news to many researchers in Sweden, who are currently unable to travel in and out of the country while waiting for an extension on their permit – leaving many missing career opportunities or important family events.
The inquiry proposes that foreign researchers in between permits should be able to apply for a visa to be able to return to Sweden if they have to travel internationally in connection with their research, for example to attend a relevant seminar abroad.
Additionally, it should also be possible for foreign researchers to apply for a visa to visit family abroad. It shouldn’t be possible, argues the inquiry, to grant a visa just for private holidays, but the applicant wouldn’t have to prove that the trip is essential to attend a major family event such as weddings – just visiting family would be reason enough.
Family members of the researchers would also be able to receive a similar visa.
The inquiry was launched in spring as part of the government’s stated aim to make Sweden a more attractive destination for foreign doctoral students and researchers.
“Sweden must be an attractive country to talent and skilled internationals. This is an important step in the government’s work to improve the opportunities for foreign doctoral students and researchers to work and remain in Sweden,” said Migration Minister Johan Forssell in a statement as he sent the proposal to relevant authorities and organisations for their comments, before the government turns it into a bill.
If successful, the new rules would come into force on March 1st 2026.
The inquiry also suggests that researchers, doctoral students and EU Blue Card holders should qualify for permanent residency after three years, rather than four.
As a consequence, it argues, it should be possible for people in this category to apply to have their temporary residency revoked when the permit becomes permanent.
This means that they can apply for permanent residency as soon as they’re eligible, even if they still have, for example, a year left on their temporary residence permit.
It also proposes that people who have completed their doctoral studies or research should be able to get a temporary job-seeker’s permit to stay in Sweden for 18 months to look for work or set up their own company – up from the current 12 months.
“A one-year permit isn’t always enough for a new PhD to find relevant employment here, partly because there is tough competition for positions,” reads the inquiry, noting that Germany and Finland have similar permits for 18 and 24 months, respectively.
It adds that just like today, the applicant would have to show that they can support themselves while looking for work – and that if they don’t have means of support for a full 18 months, it should still be possible to apply for a one-year job-seeker’s permit.
It should also become easier to grant residency to newborn children of foreign researchers, who then wouldn’t have to leave the country to apply for a permit for the child.
The inquiry also proposes ways of cracking down on permit cheats – for example people who come to Sweden on a student permit with no intention of studying, just because it may in some cases be an easier route than applying for a work permit.
It suggests that student permit holders should not be allowed to work more than 15 hours a week on the side of their studies, excluding work that is relevant to their studies such as internships, which brings it to the minimum level under EU rules.
This also means that foreign students will not be able to work full-time during the summer when they’re not studying – as is common among Swedish students.
“It is important to ensure that residence permits for studies are only granted to those who intend to study, in order to prevent abuse of the system,” said Forssell.
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