International Staff Services for HR in English
Support and advice for you who is working to recruit and receive incoming doctoral students and researchers from abroad. Also information for you who is sending staff abroad.
Checklist for administration of international staff
Information for hosting departments
Photo: Pinke Olive @flickrURA employment contract
Information for departments
Photo: N/AInternational staff
Information for incoming researchers and doctoral students
News from the Migration Agency
The Migration Agency introduces a new service commitment for doctoral students and researchers
Starting October 1, 2025, the Swedish Migration Agency has introduced a new initiative to accelerate the processing of residence permit applications for researchers and doctoral students. The agency now aims to handle all complete applications within 30 days.
New rules
Better conditions for foreign researchers and doctoral students to work in Sweden from June 11, 2026
Improved conditions for foreign doctoral students and researchers:
- Doctoral students may be granted a residence permit for research as an alternative to a residence permit for doctoral studies.
- Permanent residence permits may be granted after three years of continuous residence, provided that the maintenance requirement is met.
- The residence permit for seeking employment after completing research or doctoral studies will be extended from 12 to 18 months.
- Family members will be given more opportunities to change residence status while remaining in Sweden.
- A new D visa will be introduced, facilitating travel outside Sweden while an extension application is being processed.
Stricter labour immigration regulations from June 1, 2026
- A salary requirement corresponding to 90% of the median wage (currently approx. SEK 33,390 per month). Exemptions from the salary requirement will apply to certain occupational groups (to be determined by a future government decision). Please note: The salary requirement does not apply to doctoral candidates and researchers.
- It will be possible to change from a residence permit to look for work to a residence permit for doctoral studies or research while remaining in Sweden.
Stricter requirements for Swedish citizenship from June 6, 2026
- The general residence requirement will increase from five to eight years
- A new self‑sufficiency requirement will be introduced, equivalent to an income of around SEK 20,850 per month
- Applicants will also need to demonstrate sufficient knowledge of the Swedish language and Swedish society: B1 for reading and listening and A2 for speaking and writing
- Requirement to live an "orderly and honorable" way of life
Travel to Sweden
Digital passport control
The Swedish Migration Agency is extending its digital passport control initiative to include more countries. This development will simplify the residence permit application process for students and employees.
Embassies responsible for migration matters
The embassies in Dar es Salaam, Harare, Maputo and Singapore will no longer handle migration matters from 15 December 2025. The embassies in Bolivia, Liberia and Zimbabwe will close in 2026. Find out which embassy or consulate general is responsible for your application.
International travel
The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operations on 12 October 2025
The EES is an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180-day period) to a European country using the EES.
New requirements for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to the UK from 2 April 2025
Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) are being introduced worldwide for visitors to the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have a UK immigration status.
Stockholm Dual Career Network (SDCN)
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. Membership in SDCN is free of charge for partners to KI coworkers.
EURAXESS
EURAXESS - Researchers in Motion is a unique pan-European initiative delivering information and support services to professional researchers. Read more about EURAXESS services at KI.