Residence permit FAQ

There is no general answer to this question. You can find information on the website of the Swedish Migration Agency, under Time to a decision.

Wait until you’ve received a decision from the Migration Agency. It is important that you have read the information about the process and that you made sure that your application was complete with all the necessary information.

No, the University of Gothenburg cannot influence the application process at the Swedish Migration Agency or the Swedish Embassy.

The University of Gothenburg cannot influence the application process at the Swedish Migration Agency or the Swedish Embassy. We provide clear information to prospective students about the importance of applying for a residence permit in time, and that the processing time can be very long. We have also set an earlier deadline for the payment of tuition fees to encourage our students to proceed with their residence permit application as quickly as possible.

Since the University of Gothenburg cannot influence the Swedish Migration Agency or the Swedish Embassy, we cannot provide support in individual cases regarding residence permit applications.

If you have questions regarding your application, we recommend that you contact the Swedish Migration Agency directly.

No, as an international student without a permanent Swedish personal identity number, you need to visit a Servicecenter in Gothenburg to activate your student account. If your student account is activated by the start of the semester, you will be able to sign up for your courses through Ladok, and gain access to your courses on the Canvas learning platform.

No, as an international student without a permanent Swedish personal identity number, you need to visit a Servicecenter in Gothenburg to activate your student account. If your student account is activated by the start of the semester, you will be able to sign up for your courses through Ladok, and gain access to your courses on the Canvas learning platform.

Please note that it is only possible to receive a tuition fee refund for courses that the student has not been registered on.

For information regarding deferment of studies, please visit Deferring your studies. Please note that not being able to obtain a residence permit is not a valid reason for deferment.

 Please contact the department responsible for your programme.

If you cannot start your programme on time, we advise you to contact the department responsible for your programme and scholarships@gu.se.

 If you apply for a tuition fee refund because you still have a pending application for a residence permit at the start of the study semester and you have not registered on your courses, the tuition fee can be refunded.

Please note that it is only possible to receive a tuition fee refund for courses that the student has not been registered on.

For more information, please visit Tuition fees terms and conditions.

Yes, you need to pay rent according to the rental terms and conditions to keep your student apartment. Please contact your landlord for questions. 

We have a one-month notice period on contracts and cannot refund rents already paid. To cancel your student accommodation contract, please contact us at studenthousing@gu.se.

Travel without/waiting for a decision is not recommended. If you have received a decision on refusal of entry that is to be enforced immediately, you must leave Sweden as soon as you have received the decision. Even if you choose to appeal against the decision, you must still leave Sweden. 

You have the right to appeal against a decision by the Swedish Migration Agency, if you choose to appeal, a court will consider the decision. The decision tells you how much time you have to appeal, often three weeks from the date the decision was notified. Even if you choose to lodge and appeal, you should make plans to return.

Rejection of residence permit 

You must stay in your home country until a decision has been made. If your application is granted, but you still haven’t received your residence permit card, you may travel to Sweden with a D-visa. To apply for a D-visa, you need to contact the embassy in your country.