Working in Sweden after graduation: the permit to look for work explained

You don’t need a separate work permit: a residence permit for first- or second-cycle studies already includes the right to work. What changed in 2026 is how much. For anyone who receives a decision on a study permit from 11 June 2026, the limit is 15 hours a week during semesters, with no limit in June, July and August. Work connected to your programme at your own university, such as teaching, student representation, administration, a traineeship or research, has no hours limit.

If you got your current permit before 11 June 2026, the 15-hour limit doesn’t apply yet, but it will once you are granted an extension. Take this seriously: working more than the rules allow can lead to your permit being revoked or an extension refused. The same applies to study progress, which is now 37.5 credits in your first full-time year and 45 credits a year after that.

Once you have completed a programme of at least two semesters and hold the diploma or certificate, you may work without limits for as long as your permit lasts, unless you apply for a new study permit at the same level.

Migrationsverket’s official name is the residence permit to look for work or investigate the possibilities of starting your own business after completing your studies. You can apply if you hold a permit for higher education in Sweden and have completed the whole programme you were admitted to, at least two semesters long, with a pass in every course. Higher vocational education (yrkeshögskola) does not count. People who studied in another EU country and spent at least two semesters of it in Sweden can also apply.

• Apply before your study permit expires. If your last grades aren’t registered yet, apply anyway and send the certificate of completed studies later.
• Show you can support yourself for the whole permit: at least SEK 10,656 a month for applications in 2026, more with family.
• If your continuous time on Swedish permits is under a year, you need comprehensive health insurance.
• Attach a degree certificate, transcript or Ladok extract with a note from your university confirming completion.
• The fee is SEK 1,500 for adults and SEK 750 for children.

After a bachelor’s or master’s the permit lasts up to one year; after a PhD, between one year and 18 months. Your spouse or partner and children under 18 can apply with you, and adults may work.

Graduates can apply for a work permit from inside Sweden. Since 11 June 2026, students generally must have completed at least two semesters of a university programme to switch from within the country, and you must apply before your current permit expires.

There is a real advantage here. If you hold a student or researcher permit when you apply for your first work permit, you are exempt from the 90% salary requirement for two years and need 75% of the median salary instead: SEK 28,725 a month rather than SEK 34,470 for applications from 16 June 2026. The pay must still match the collective agreement. Migrationsverket’s wording covers people holding a study or research permit, so if you are already on the job-seeking permit, confirm with the agency whether the exemption applies to you. Our work permit guide covers the full requirements and the EU Blue Card, which needs SEK 53,625 a month.

Study in Sweden is honest that most student jobs are customer-facing, in shops, cafés and restaurants, where Swedish is often expected and English-only roles are competitive. It is also clear that most employers require Swedish, even though some use English. Start learning early. SFI is free once you are registered in the population register; many universities also run Swedish courses.

Study in Sweden notes that Swedish employers often look beyond your degree, so practical experience counts. Some companies recruit interns a year in advance, so start early. Check whether your programme includes an internship course; if not, find one yourself over the summer, when you may work without an hours limit. AIESEC and IAESTE arrange placements. For graduate schemes, search for “traineeprogram”, the Swedish term, on Platsbanken and company career pages. Tailor your CV to each role: our Swedish CV guide explains the format and the personal letter.

Your university’s careers service is free. Book a CV review in your first year, not your last, and go to every employer event and career fair you can. Study in Sweden’s advice on networking is worth taking literally: in Sweden it is not about asking for a job, but about getting to know people, projects and companies, so that they think of you when something opens.

• Connect on LinkedIn with teachers, supervisors and classmates, and post about your thesis or projects.
• Take student assistant or ambassador roles at your university; they count as Swedish work experience.
• Join events at your local science park, International House or industry association.
• Write your thesis with a company when you can. It is a months-long job interview.

After doctoral studies, the permit to look for work can run from one year to 18 months, which gives you more time to move into industry or a postdoc. The same exemption from the 90% salary rule applies to people who hold a researcher permit when they first apply for a work permit. Industry recruiters read a PhD CV differently from academics: lead with the problems you solved, the methods and tools you used, and any collaboration with companies, not your publication list.

If you completed a master’s-level degree abroad, you can apply from outside Sweden for the residence permit to look for work or start a business, lasting up to nine months with savings of at least SEK 13,000 a month. See our work permit guide for the conditions.