New Migration rules

Den 1 juni och 11 juni 2026 sker flera förändringar i den migrationsrättsliga lagstiftningen. Ändringarna innebär bland annat att forskare och doktorander kan ansöka om permanent uppehållstillstånd i Sverige tidigare. Ändringarna innebär också att det går att ansöka om längre tillstånd för att söka arbete efter avslutade studier samt fler möjligheter att byta tillstånd inifrån Sverige. Samtidigt införs vissa skärpningar och även regler för arbetstillstånd förändras, bland annat med nya lönekrav. Nedan beskrivs några av lagändringarna på engelska, samt länkar till mer information. 

For researchers and doctoral students:

On 29 April, the Swedish Parliament approved the Government’s legislative proposal Improved migration law for researchers and doctoral students, and measures to counter misuse of residence permits for studies. The new rules will take effect on 11 June 2026.

Summary of some of the new rules:

• Doctoral students will be eligible to be granted residence permits for research (as well as residence permits for doctoral students)
• Researchers and doctoral students may apply for permanent residence once they meet the requirements, rather than only in connection with an extension of their current permit.
• Researchers and doctoral students will be able to obtain permanent residence permits more quickly
• Researchers and doctoral students will be able to receive longer residence permits to seek employment after completing research or studies (up to 18 months)
• Researchers and doctoral students, as well as their family members, will have extended opportunities to apply for residence permits from within Sweden
• The possibility to work with a residence permit for studies will be limited to 15 hours per week (exceptions apply, doctoral students are not affected)
• The requirements to make satisfactory progress in studies will be made stricter

To support international researchers and doctoral students, here is an English-language news item from Sveriges Radio that you may listen to: New residence rules to attract foreign academics approved | Sveriges Radio

New rules for researchers and doctoral students at the Swedish Migration Agency’s website can be found here New rules for researchers and doctoral students - Migration website

New rules for work permits:

On June 1 2026, changes were also made regarding work permits. (Work permits are used when an employment has less than 50% research.) The changes include a new salary requirement for this permit. Read more about the changes for work permits here: New rules for work permits - Migration website

Information:

Information on our website will be updated continuously with the new rules.

Practical information for international employees can be found at the staff webb. As an international employee you can also subscribe to the newsfeed for international employees at SLU.

If you have questions regarding the new rules, please contact the Swedish Migration Agency. If you have questions about practical matters regarding living in Sweden, please contact your department administrator.