International staff
Karolinska Institutet (KI) offers support service for international researchers and doctoral students. Here you can find all kinds of necessary information for your stay in Sweden and Karolinska Institutet.

Moving to Sweden

Living in Stockholm

Working at KI

Moving from Sweden

Accommodation
It is vital to start looking for somewhere to live as soon as you can!

Residence permits and visas
Check if you need an entry visa, a residence permit or work permit.

Learn Swedish
There is a wide range of Swedish language courses available. Doctoral students and postdocs are offered a complimentary course.

Your family
Swedish society is very family-friendly

Private sublets for KI coworkers
Page for postings for landlords renting and renters looking for roommates (shared housing)

Introductory Day goes digital
Here you can find information about upcoming online meetings for international staff at KI.
New passport requirements at the Swedish Migration Agency from 1 November 2022
People who apply for a residence permit or work permit to travel to Sweden will now have to show their passport in person at a Swedish embassy or consulate-general before a decision on a residence permit can be made. In July 2023, students and work permit applicants, who do not need a visa, can have their passports checked at five different locations in the USA and Canada.
New in Sweden - the population register and basic tax information
For you who is planning to move to Sweden to study or to work at a Swedish university. Skatteverket will provide you with information that you need to know when you move to Sweden, live in Sweden and if you choose to move from Sweden. Skatteverket will also give you a basic introduction to Swedish tax.
Stockholm Dual Career Network
The Stockholm Dual Career Network (SDCN) is a non-profit network for partners and spouses of international talent in Stockholm. SDCN supports expat partners with professional events, career-related advice and by building a social network in their new hometown.
New work permit salary threshold from November 2023
The Swedish government is to double the minimum salary threshold for a work permit to 27,360 kronor a month from November 1st 2023, replacing the current SEK 13,000 requirement for labour migrants from outside the EU. No transition period. Researchers and doctoral students will not be affected as they have residence permits for researchers and doctoral studies respectively.
Plans to introduce tests on Swedish language and society for permanent residency from 2027
A new government inquiry has proposed that adults seeking permanent residency from 2027 will have to pass two tests, one on the Swedish language and the other on Swedish society. The proposal states that applicants would be expected to have a level of Swedish equivalent to A2 on the CEFR, equivalent to SFI level C.
The Embassy of Sweden in Pakistan closed for visitors
The Embassy of Sweden in Islamabad is currently unable to receive external visitors. Applications for residence permit due to family ties, study or work are referred to the Swedish Embassy in Ethiopia
The Swedish Migration Agency is changing its practice regarding studies abroad
The change means that it will now be easier for doctoral students incl sandwich doctoral students to conduct studies abroad without affecting their ability to obtain or retain their residence permit in Sweden.
Amended regulations in the Aliens Act on July 20, 2021
The changes mean, among other things, that new requirements are placed on everyone who applies for a permanent residence permit. The support requirement means that the applicant must have a permanent job, or a fixed-term employment for at least 18 months from the day the application is examined.
New rules for work permits 1 June 2022
The new rules come into force on 1 June 2022 and mean, among other things, that an employment contract is required to obtain a work permit. Researchers and doctoral students have other types of residence permits and are not directly affected.
Babies born in Sweden to foreign researchers must go abroad to apply for residency
According to the Aliens Act, a researcher’s family member must have applied for a residence permit before entering Sweden, which is stated in Chapter 5b, Section 20. Foreign researchers with permits to live and work in Sweden are told that they must travel abroad to be able to apply for a residence permit for their newborn children.
A Beginner's Guide to Swedish Academia
Young Academy of Sweden has developed a guide for international researchers, to help navigate Swedish academia and remove time-consuming obstacles.

EURAXESS
EURAXESS - Researchers in Motion is a unique pan-European initiative delivering information and support services to professional researchers.
Information for people coming to Sweden from Ukraine
Calendar international staff
KI-News
Contact International Staff Services
Contact information at the Central KI Administration and KI departments.
Postdoc at KI
Rules and general information on postdoctoral training for postdocs, PIs and administrative staff.

Learn more about Stockholm
Visit Stockholm - the official guide

Working in Sweden
The Swedish Institute: Your guide to working or running a business in Sweden

Discover Sweden
The Swedish Institute: Facts and stories about Sweden

The Newbie Guide to Sweden
New in Sweden?