The coronavirus and impacts on travel, visa and permits
The global COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact international students and staff at KI. The following is a summary of the latest updates. Keep yourself informed daily upon latest recommendations!
Check always the latest Information about the corona virus for staff and students at KI first
International PhD students and staff currently in Sweden
If you need to stay longer in Sweden than originally planned or need to leave Sweden earlier:
Residence permits and visas
The main rule is that if you already have a residence permit, you need to apply for extension before your current permit expires and you can stay in Sweden and wait for a new decision. Please, note that you have to discuss this with your supervisor or group leader first and get the documents needed. Otherwise, see the visitor's permit option below. If your passport is about to expire, you should get it renewed as you cannot get a permit for longer than your passport is valid.
If you have applied for an extension of your residence permit and have given biometrics for residence permit card, but need to travel home, you should contact your case officer at the Migration Agency and if possible, ask someone to check your post in Sweden. Normally, the decision and the card are sent to the home address in Sweden.
If you are visiting Sweden but need to stay longer than your visa or residence permit is valid:
If you have applied for an extension on your visa before your current visa expires, you have the right to remain in Sweden until the Migration Agency has made a decision. Please, note that you are not allowed to combine employment with visitor's permit.
Travel bans
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has decided to extend its advice against non-essential travel to most countries until 15 October, but with additional exemptions.
KI Housing
Information to PhD-students and staff who reside in accommodation provided by KI Housing
International PhD students and staff about to start studies or research in Sweden
Entry ban on travel to Sweden extended until 31 October 2021. However, there are exemptions, for example for individuals entering Sweden for studies or research.
The Swedish Police: Travel to Sweden during the corona pandemic
Public Health Agency of Sweden: Recommendations for people entering Sweden from abroad
Please, note that most of the non EU citizens need a residence permit card to be able to travel to Sweden. Some Swedish foreign missions/Embassies may be closed due to the pandemic. They intend to open as soon as the situation permits.
Consider following:
- keep contact with your group leader or supervisor at KI as well as HR
- contact the nearest Swedish Embassy or Consulate for more information. Check at Swedenabroad.se for accessibility
- check travel restrictions in the country you want to travel from as well as for transit (testing, quarantine)
- check travel restrictions of your airline
- contact KI Housing if there are any changes regarding the starting date of your contract
Get tested for Covid-19 upon arrival
To get tested for free upon arrival or after quarantine you can contact your closest healthcare centre (Vårdcentral) to make an appointment. You can either use the search tool "Hitta vård" (in Swedish) to find your closest healthcare centre or you can call the Swedish healthcare service 1177 directly (available in English) for contact details.
At Arlanda airport ExpressCare and Airport Sky Vårdcentral offer testing onsite for a fee.
If you are a Swedish citizen or have a permanent residence permit in Sweden and live in Stockholm county (län) you can test yourself in the baggage hall at Arlanda free of charge.
Once you have received your Swedish personal number (if eligible) you can download the app "Alltid öppet" and order your test for free there if needed. More information on the page "Getting tested for Covid-19" (on 1177 Vårdguiden, a Swedish healthcare service.)
Get the Covid-19 vaccine in Sweden
Vaccination against Covid-19 will be offered to all people who are 16 and older. You do not have to be a Swedish citizen to get the vaccine and everyone who lives or is permanently staying in Sweden will be offered the vaccine. The vaccination against Covid-19 is free of cost.
Se Drop-in for vaccination at Karolinska Hospital's units
Stockholm region is responsible for the vaccine rollout it Stockholm. See how to book an appointment for vaccination
There are vaccination buses in Botkyrka, Södertälje, Tensta, Husby and Rinkeby where you can get vaccination without Swedish personal number, see the opening hours