June 15, 2026

Sweden is a popular destination for international students due to its high-quality higher education system, strong research environment, and emphasis on innovation, equality, and academic development. For Bangladeshi students, it provides an opportunity to study in a well-structured and internationally recognized education system that can support both further studies and long-term career development.However, immigration and residence permit rules in Sweden are subject to change over time. The Swedish Migration Agency is responsible for setting and updating these requirements. As a result, applicants are advised to review the most recent official guidelines before applying to ensure they have accurate and up-to-date information. Financial Requirement Updated Maintenance Fund Amount The maintenance requirement is one of the most important conditions for getting a Swedish student residence permit. According to the Swedish Migration Agency’s official page for higher education applications, the monthly amount you must demonstrate has been updated for 2026.If you apply in 2026, you must show at least SEK 10,656 per month in available funds. This is an increase from SEK 10,584 per month, which applied to those who applied in 2025. These figures come directly from Migrationsverket’s published requirements for first- and second-cycle study residence permits.This monthly figure must cover your entire permit period. So, if you are applying for a one-year permit, you need to show total funds equivalent to at least SEK 10,656 multiplied by the number of months for which you are applying. You can reduce this monthly amount if your university provides free housing or free food. Specifically, for 2026 applicants, the reduction is SEK 4,736 per month for free housing and SEK 2,960 per month for free food. These reductions must be supported by a formal letter from the university confirming such provision. Bank Statement Rules Not all bank accounts or fund types are accepted. Migrationsverket is specific about what qualifies. Your bank statement must be issued no more than four months before the date on which you want the residence permit to take effect. For example, if you want your permit to start on 1 September, your bank statement must be dated no earlier than 1 May.The bank statement must clearly show the account holder’s name, the bank’s name, the date of issue, the account balance, and the currency. Credit lines, funds, shares, and assets held in microfinance banks are not accepted. Fixed or locked deposits that will remain frozen during your permit period also do not qualify. Only liquid funds that you can freely access are counted.This is a common point of failure for Bangladeshi applicants. Many students submit FDR receipts or present family savings that are in another person’s name. If the money comes from a relative, it must first be transferred to an account in your own name before you apply. Sponsorship Rules Sweden does allow sponsorship as a form of financial maintenance, but with strict conditions. A sponsor must be an institution, such as a university, a well-established company, or an official organization. Private individuals, including parents or other family members, cannot act as sponsors under Migrationsverket’s rules. Money from family members must be transferred to your own account and documented as personal bank assets.If you have a scholarship, it can count toward the maintenance requirement. The scholarship letter must state the provider’s name, your name as the recipient, the duration and purpose of the scholarship, the total amount, and a breakdown of what portion covers living expenses. A partial scholarship combined with personal bank assets is also acceptable, as you can combine different sources of funding to meet the total requirement. Dependent Visa Policy Can Students Bring Dependents? Yes, students can bring family members to Sweden. However, financial responsibility is a key condition. According to Migrationsverket, if your family applies with you or later joins you in Sweden, you must demonstrate additional funds beyond your own maintenance requirement. The additional monthly amounts, as published by the Agency for 2026 applicants, are SEK 4,440 per month for a spouse or cohabiting partner and SEK 2,664 per month for each accompanying child.Family members who are granted a permit alongside a student permit holder include spouses, registered partners, cohabiting partners, and children under the age of 18. If a family member decides to join later, they must submit a separate application. Rules for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students There is no difference in Swedish migration rules for bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD students who want to bring their family members. The same rules for bringing family members apply to all students.The main difference is usually financial. Bachelor’s students often rely on personal savings, while many master’s and PhD students receive scholarships, stipends, or income from work, which can help them meet the financial requirements.Students must show that they have enough funds for the residence permit period they are applying for. For longer study programmes, they may need to provide updated proof of funds when extending their permit.Family members may also be able to use their own available funds to help meet the maintenance requirement. The Swedish Migration Agency reviews the financial documents submitted and assesses whether the required financial criteria have been met. Work Rights During Study This is one of the most significant policy updates in 2026. The Swedish Parliament decided on new rules for student residence permits in May 2026, which will take effect from 11 June 2026. These changes include new limits on how much students can work alongside their studies, along with stricter study progress requirements and new reporting obligations. Part-Time Work During Semesters The good news is that during the summer months of June, July, and August, students may work without any hour restrictions. This gives Bangladeshi students a genuine opportunity to earn, save, and gain work experience during the summer break without jeopardizing their permit. Exceptions to the 15-Hour Cap Certain types of work are exempt from the 15-hour limit. If your work involves education, student representation, university administration, a traineeship, research, or artistic research, and it takes place at or is connected to your enrolled university or