.jpg "Switch Student Visa to Work Permit Sweden 2026 | Full Guide")
Switching From Student Visa to Work Permit in Sweden
If your student residence permit in Sweden is running out and you have a job offer in hand, here's some good news: you probably don't need to leave the country. Switching from a student permit to a work permit—what Swedish authorities call a "track change"—is something you can do from right here in Sweden.
The rules changed quite a bit in late 2025 and early 2026, and a lot of the advice floating around online hasn't caught up. This guide walks you through the real requirements, the numbers that actually matter, and the mistakes that are tripping people up right now.
Immigration rules change regularly and vary by individual circumstances. Always verify current requirements with the Swedish Migration Agency or a licensed immigration attorney before making decisions.
Do You Qualify? The 30-Credit Rule Explained
There's a persistent myth that you need your degree certificate in hand before you can apply. That's not accurate. What actually matters is whether you've made genuine academic progress—not whether you've finished everything.
What Counts as Progress?
You need to have completed at least 30 higher education credits (called högskolepoäng in Swedish) during your current permit period. For most Bachelor's or Master's students, that's roughly one full semester of passed courses. Finished your first year? You're in good shape.
PhD students follow similar logic—showing one completed semester of doctoral work usually suffices. The key word here is completed. Check your Ladok transcript carefully. If failed courses have dropped you below 30 credits, you can't apply from inside Sweden. You'd need to leave and apply from abroad, which adds months to your timeline.
Timing Is Critical
Your student permit must be valid on the exact day your employer submits the application. If it expired even one day before, that door closes. Play it safe: aim to submit everything 2 to 4 weeks early, because delays from employers happen more often than you'd think.
The New Salary Reality (2026)
This is where things get tricky. The salary bar for Swedish work permits isn't what it used to be, and many entry-level offers no longer qualify.
80% of median salary
What If Your Offer Falls Short?
Many junior roles in Sweden—marketing assistants, content moderators, customer support—pay between 26,000 and 28,000 SEK. Under current rules, those salaries don't qualify for work permits anymore.
If you're facing this, talk to your employer. Many companies genuinely don't know about these salary floors. Walk them through the Migration Agency's requirements. Many will adjust the offer once they understand the situation—it's worth the conversation.
Can You Combine Part-Time Jobs?
No. The salary must come from one single employer. You can't stack two part-time salaries to hit the threshold. However, working part-time hours (like 80%) at one company is fine—as long as your monthly pay clears 29,680 SEK.
How the Process Actually Works
This isn't a one-click application. It involves coordination between you, your employer, and a trade union. Here's how it unfolds:
Job Advertisement Period
Your employer must post the position on Platsbanken and EURES for at least 10 calendar days. This applies even if you've been working there informally. It's an EU labor market test—no exceptions.
Trade Union Review
After the 10 days, your employer submits the offer through the Migration Agency portal and sends it to the relevant trade union (Unionen, Akavia, etc.). They verify your salary and benefits match industry standards. A negative opinion here usually means rejection, so this step matters.
Your Application
Once the union opinion is uploaded, you'll get an email to complete your side. Upload your passport and your Ladok transcript showing 30 completed credits. The fee is approximately 2,200 SEK.
The Wait
If your employer is a certified company with the Migration Agency, decisions often come in 2-4 weeks. For non-certified employers, expect 4-6 months in 2026. Plan accordingly.
What Happens While You Wait?
Can You Keep Working?
Since you applied before your student permit expired, your right to work continues automatically. You can work full-time, receive your salary, and pay taxes normally while waiting for the decision.
Should You Travel?
If your student permit has expired and you leave the country, border officials may refuse you re-entry. The Migration Agency might also close your case since you're no longer in Sweden. Emergency visas exist but are slow and uncertain. Stay put until your work permit card arrives.
Bringing Family? Here's the Financial Math
If you're planning to bring a partner or children, the financial requirements increase. You need enough income left after rent to cover living costs for everyone. Here are the 2026 maintenance amounts from the Swedish Migration Agency:
| Family Situation | Monthly Amount After Rent (SEK) |
|---|---|
| Single person | 6,243 |
| Couple | 10,314 |
| Child aged 0–6 | +3,336 (extra) |
| Child aged 7–10 | +4,004 (extra) |
Example: You're a junior developer earning 35,000 SEK gross (~26,500 SEK after tax). Rent is 13,000 SEK, leaving you with 13,500 SEK.
Required: 10,314 SEK
You have: 13,500 SEK
✓ ApprovedRequired: 13,650 SEK
You have: 13,500 SEK
✗ Short by 150 SEKNotice how tight these margins are? Just 150 SEK can mean the difference between your child getting a permit or not. Do the math before you apply.
Your Pre-Submit Checklist
Go through every item before your employer submits. Click each one to mark it complete.
Common Questions
Yes. Your thesis counts as a regular course. As long as your other completed coursework totals 30 credits, you're eligible. No need to wait for the thesis to be done.
Generally, no. The four-year clock for permanent residency starts when your work permit is approved. Time on a student permit usually doesn't count toward that total.
You get a 3-month grace period to find new work without leaving Sweden. If you land a role in the same industry within that window, you can start working immediately while applying for a new permit.
As of early 2026, it's 29,680 SEK per month (80% of median salary). From June 1, 2026, it rises to approximately 33,390 SEK (90% of median salary). Applications submitted after that date face the higher requirement.
No—the threshold must be met by one single employer. You cannot add salaries from two different jobs. However, working reduced hours for one employer is allowed if the monthly pay still clears the threshold.
📋 Official Sources & Further Reading
- Swedish Migration Agency – Work Permits (Official guidelines)
- Swedish Government Press Release (June 2026 salary changes)
- Arbetsförmedlingen (Swedish Public Employment Service)
- Statistics Sweden (SCB) (Median salary statistics)
Related Guides
More resources for navigating Swedish immigration:
📚 Educational Purpose Only: This article provides general information to help international students understand Swedish immigration procedures. It does not constitute legal, immigration, or professional advice. Immigration laws change frequently and individual circumstances vary widely.
Always confirm current requirements with the Swedish Migration Agency, your university's international office, or a qualified immigration attorney before making decisions. The author is not affiliated with Migrationsverket or any government entity.