Sweden Student Visa With Spouse

Planning to study in Sweden and wondering if your partner can join you? 

Well, the answer will make you happy.

Sweden is actually welcoming when it comes to bringing your spouse or partner along during your studies. 

To be honest, it’s one of those countries that understands the importance of keeping your family members together, even when someone is following their education abroad.

We know that studying abroad is an exciting journey, and it’s even better when you can share it with your partner.

For that reason, we’ve put together this guide to help you to understand everything about bringing your spouse to Sweden on a student visa.

The process may seem complicated at first, but don’t worry.

We’ll explain to you everything in a simple and clear way.

Key Takeaways:

• Spouses & Partners Are Welcome: Sweden actively allows students to bring their spouses, registered partners, or proven long-term cohabiting partners on a dependent residence permit.
• Dependent Work Rights: A major advantage is that your spouse/partner can work full-time in Sweden immediately upon receiving their permit, with no need for an additional work visa.
• Higher Financial Requirement: You must prove significantly higher funds—approximately SEK 15,000 per month for both you and your partner—to cover living costs for the entire study period.
• Proof of Relationship is Crucial: While married couples need a certificate, unmarried partners must provide strong evidence (e.g., joint leases, bills) of having lived together for at least two years.
• Shared Path to PR: Time spent in Sweden on your student permit and your partner’s dependent permit can count toward the five-year continuous residence requirement for both of you to eventually apply for permanent residency together.

Can You Bring Your Spouse on a Sweden Student Visa?

Yes, absolutely. 

Sweden allows student visa holders to bring their spouses or partners to the country. 

This is honestly one of the great things about studying in Sweden. 

In fact, the Swedish government recognises that family life is important, and they’ve created provisions specifically for this purpose.

Speaking of which, it’s not just applicable to legally married couples. 

In other words, if you’re in a registered partnership or even a long-term relationship that you can prove has been serious and ongoing, you may qualify. 

Furthermore, this means unmarried couples who have been living together for a considerable period can also apply.

Anyway, the key thing here is that your partner needs to apply for a “residence permit for family members.” 

It’s essentially a dependent visa that is with your student status. 

For that reason, your acceptance into a Swedish university and your valid student residence permit form the foundation of your partner’s application. 

Moreover, the entire system is in place to ensure that families can remain together throughout the study period.

So, you are in a safe spot when it comes to that.

Requirements for Sweden Student Visa With Spouse

The requirements are actually the basics, though they do need careful attention. 

So, first and foremost, you need to have a valid residence permit in Sweden as a student. 

Conversely, if you haven’t been into a Swedish university yet, your spouse can’t apply until you have your student permit.

Plus, the relationship requirement is crucial here as well.

For married couples, this is simpler since you have a marriage certificate. 

However, unmarried couples need to show they’ve been living together in a relationship similar to marriage. 

Furthermore, Sweden requires evidence that you’ve been cohabiting for at least two years before applying, or that you have children together.

Moreover, the financial aspect is another major requirement. 

To be honest, this makes sense because Sweden wants to know that you can support your spouse without them needing public assistance. 

Documents Needed for Sweden Student Visa (Main Applicant)

As the main applicant, you’ll need your standard student visa documents first. 

This includes your admission letter from a Swedish university or an educational institution. 

Furthermore, this letter should clearly mention the duration of your program and confirm your full-time student status.

Additionally, your travel document or the passport needs to be valid for the entire duration of your studies, plus a little extra time. 

To be honest, it’s always good to have at least six months of validity beyond your intended stay. 

Moreover, you’ll also need passport-sized photographs that meet Swedish requirements. 

For that reason, it’s worth getting professional photos to avoid any issues.

On the other hand, proof of financial means is essential. Whereas you need to show that you have around SEK 10,600 per month for your own living expenses. 

Speaking of which, this amount is set by the Swedish Migration Agency and gets updated periodically, so always check the current requirement before applying. 

With that, you’ll need health insurance that covers you in Sweden. 

Probably, your university might provide this, or you might need to arrange it independently. 

Finally, any academic transcripts, language proficiency certificates, and your university’s invoice or proof of tuition payment should be included.

Additional Documents Required for Spouse/Partner

Your spouse or partner needs their own set of documents for the application. 

Speaking of which, the marriage certificate is obviously important if you’re married. 

To be honest, it needs to be an official document, and if it’s not in Swedish or English, you’ll need a certified translation. 

For that reason, start getting translations done early because they can take time.

On the other hand, for unmarried couples, the documentation becomes a bit more complicated. 

Whereas you’ll need to prove you’ve been living together. 

This can include joint lease agreements, utility bills in both names, or official correspondence addressed to both of you at the same address. 

Moreover, photographs together, joint bank accounts, or evidence of shared responsibilities can highlight your application as well.

Additionally, your partner will need their own valid passport. 

Furthermore, they’ll also need passport photos that meet Swedish specifications. 

That being said, consider your financial documents, which must show that you can support your partner in some way. 

Finally, your spouse will also need their own health coverage for the entire period of their stay in Sweden.

Step-by-Step Application Process for Bringing a Spouse

The application process begins with you, the main applicant, and requires your student residence permit as the first step. 

Trust us, your spouse can’t apply until you have a confirmation of your permit. 

Then, once that’s sorted, your partner can begin their application for a residence permit as a family member.

The application is done online through the Swedish Migration Agency’s website. 

In this case, your spouse needs to create an online account, fill out the application form carefully, and upload all the required documents. 

After submitting the online application, your spouse needs to visit a Swedish embassy in your country to verify their identity. 

Moreover, they might also collect biometric data during this visit, so be aware of it.

As for the charges, the application fee needs to be paid. 

Currently, it’s around SEK 2,000 for adults, though this amount can change. 

Note: Always verify the current fee on the official website. 

With that, once everything is submitted and the fee is paid, it’s your time to wait. Meanwhile, you can track the application status online, which is pretty convenient.

Financial Requirements for Sweden Student Visa With Spouse

The financial requirements increase when you’re bringing a spouse. 

While a single student needs to show around SEK 10,600 per month, you’ll need additional funds for your partner. 

This is because Sweden wants to confirm that neither of you becomes a burden on the social system.

Anyway, for a spouse or partner, you need to show an additional SEK 4,410 per month. 

This brings your total monthly requirement to approximately SEK 15,000 for both of you. 

Moreover, this needs to be shown for the entire duration of your studies, which can add up to a higher amount depending on your program length.

However, it’s worth noting that financial documents play a crucial role when it comes to visas.

For that reason, we’d recommend showing more than the minimum if possible. 

Sweden Student Visa Processing Time for Dependents

Processing times can change a bit from one applicant to another, depending on several factors. 

Whereas it’s one of the most common questions people have. 

So, generally, applications for family members of students can take anywhere from three to six months, though it sometimes happens faster.

In fact, the processing time depends on where your spouse is applying from. 

Moreover, applications from certain countries might take longer due to higher volumes or additional security checks. 

On the other hand, the completeness of your application also plays a role. 

Conversely, during peak seasons, particularly before the fall semester starts, processing times tend to be longer. 

For that reason, it’s smart to apply as early as possible. 

Can Your Spouse Work in Sweden?

Yes, your spouse can work in Sweden. 

Actually, this is one of the biggest advantages of bringing your partner on this type of permit. 

Unlike some countries that restrict dependent visa holders from working, Sweden is quite supportive in this part.

Anyway, once your spouse receives their residence permit as a family member, they automatically have the right to work in Sweden. 

Furthermore, there’s no need to apply for a separate work permit or go through additional procedures. 

Plus, your partner can work full-time if they wish. 

For that reason, many spouses take advantage of this opportunity and find employment in Sweden.

Accommodation Requirements for Couples in Sweden

Finding suitable accommodation is an important part of the process. 

Trust us, Sweden takes housing seriously, and you’ll need to show that you have a suitable place that has been arranged for both of you. 

This is actually a requirement for your spouse’s residence permit application as well.

So, the accommodation needs to be perfect for two people. 

Furthermore, it should meet Swedish standards for size and facilities. 

Generally, a one-bedroom or studio apartment is considered good enough for a couple. 

Moreover, the housing should be in reasonable condition and provide a proper living environment.

Anyway, you have several options for accommodation in Sweden. 

Speaking of which, student housing is one possibility, though availability can be limited, and there might be restrictions on who can live there. 

For that reason, many international students with spouses go for private rentals instead. 

Additionally, Proof of accommodation is required during the application process. 

This could be a rental contract, a letter from your landlord, or a housing offer from your university. 

To be honest, it’s one of the most challenging aspects of moving to Sweden because the housing market, especially in major cities, is tight. 

Therefore, make sure to do some research on a place before you submit your application.

Sweden Student Visa to Permanent Residency Pathway (for Couples)

Sweden has a clear pathway from student visa to permanent residency, and your spouse can be a part of this journey with you as well. 

To be honest, this is one of the attractive aspects of studying in Sweden. 

Even though the process isn’t automatic, it’s definitely something that you can do with a proper plan.

So, after completing your studies, you can apply for a job-seeking visa that allows you to stay in Sweden for up to one year to find employment. 

Furthermore, during this time, your spouse’s residence permit can be extended based on your job-seeking status. 

With that, once you get an employment contract, you can transition to a work permit, and your spouse can continue to maintain their status as your family member.

On the other hand, to qualify for permanent residency, you need to live in Sweden for five continuous years on various permits. 

Moreover, your spouse must stay with you during this period. 

Which means if you study for two years and work for three years, both of you can apply for permanent residency together. 

For that reason, maintaining continuous legal residence is important throughout this period.

Therefore, it’s worth planning this pathway from the beginning. 

Conclusion

Bringing your spouse to Sweden on a student visa is definitely something that you can do, and it is much simpler than in many other countries. 

In fact, Sweden’s family-friendly immigration policies mean you don’t have to choose between following your education and being with your partner. 

Plus, the fact that your spouse can work freely in Sweden makes the whole arrangement much more practical and financially possible.

Anyway, the key is thorough preparation. 

To be honest, gathering all the documents, meeting the financial requirements, and understanding the process takes time and effort. 

However, with a proper plan, this is something that you can definitely do. 

For that reason, always check the Swedish Migration Agency’s official website for the most up-to-date information. 

Additionally, don’t hesitate to reach out to your university’s international office, as they often have experience in helping students to go through these processes. 

So, good luck with your Swedish adventure together!

Contact TEVS a Sweden student visa consultants in Sri Lanka for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions