GOTHENBURG - The Swedish government has approved a bill aimed at making the country more attractive to international researchers, doctoral candidates and students, while tightening rules to prevent misuse of study residence permits.

The proposals, published in late February and updated in early March, form part of a broader effort to strengthen Sweden’s global competitiveness by attracting skilled talent from abroad.

Migration Minister Johan Forssell said drawing international expertise to Sweden remained a key priority. He said the new measures would both improve opportunities for researchers and doctoral students and ensure that study permits are granted only to those who genuinely intend to study.

Under the bill, doctoral candidates and researchers would find it easier to apply for residence permits, including permits that also cover family members. Doctoral students could be granted residence permits specifically for research, and both researchers and doctoral candidates could gain faster access to permanent residency.

The government also proposes extending residence permits to allow graduates more time to seek employment after completing their studies or research.

However, the bill includes stricter controls aimed at preventing abuse of study permits. These include tighter limits on the right of students to work while studying, stronger requirements for satisfactory academic progress, and stricter rules for switching from study permits to work permits. The proposals would also expand the circumstances in which residence permits granted to family members of students could be withdrawn.

In addition, the bill introduces a new law setting out specific rules for granting residence permits in response to the mass displacement of refugees from Ukraine.

The government proposes that the legislative changes come into force on 11 June 2026.