Sweden
Working in Sweden After a Degree: Official Rules Summarised
A summary of the Swedish Migration Agency's permit to look for work after studies, the 2026 job-seeking rules for PhD graduates and the June 2026 salary requirement.
By the 47 Fellows team · Bachelor's · Master's · PhD · 4 min read ·
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In brief
This page summarises what the Swedish Migration Agency, Migrationsverket, published, as read on 20 October 2026, about working in Sweden after a degree. It is general information, not advice on any person's case.
| Option (as described by Migrationsverket) | Who it is described for | Length | Job offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residence permit to look for work after studies | Graduates of a Swedish higher education programme | Up to 1 year (bachelor's, master's); 12 to 18 months after doctoral studies | Not required |
| Work permit after higher education in Sweden | Graduates who have found a job | Up to 2 years per permit | Required |
Rules change, and the official pages are the final word.
Permit to look for work after studies
Migrationsverket says:
- It is for people who completed a higher education programme at a university or university college in Sweden at first, second or third (doctoral) cycle, on a residence permit for higher education. All courses in the programme must be passed. Higher vocational programmes do not count.
- The permit is for up to one year for bachelor's and master's graduates. After doctoral studies, it is between one year and 18 months.
- The application must be made before the current study permit expires.
- Applicants need enough money for the whole period. For 2026 applications the page lists SEK 10,656 a month, with extra amounts for family members.
- Health insurance is required if total continuous time on residence permits in Sweden is under one year.
- The fee listed is SEK 1,500 for adults.
In a news item of 25 May 2026, Migrationsverket said that from 11 June 2026, job-seeking permits after research or doctoral studies can last 12 to 18 months (previously 12), and that from 1 June 2026 holders can apply for a new research or doctoral permit without leaving Sweden.
Work permit after studies in Sweden
Migrationsverket's page for graduates who have found work says:
- The application must be made before the current residence permit expires, after studies of at least two semesters (or two semesters of doctoral studies) in Sweden.
- Graduates applying for the first time on this basis are exempt from the salary requirement. For others, from 16 June 2026 the minimum is SEK 34,470 a month, which the agency describes as 90% of the median salary.
- Pay and conditions must be at least on par with Swedish collective agreements, and the employer must have taken out the listed insurances.
- A permit is granted for up to two years at a time. The fee listed for an employee is SEK 2,200.
Official sources
- Migrationsverket, look for work after completing studies: https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-extend/study/look-for-work-after-completing-your-studies-in-sweden.html
- Migrationsverket, work after higher education in Sweden: https://www.migrationsverket.se/en/you-want-to-apply/work/employee-or-self-employed/students-who-have-found-work.html
- Migrationsverket news, new rules for researchers and doctoral students (25 May 2026): https://www.migrationsverket.se/nyheter/news-archive/2026-05-25-new-rules-for-researchers-and-doctoral-students.html
Related pages on 47 Fellows
Summary last compared with Migrationsverket's pages on 20 October 2026.