Sweden Student Visa Requirements for Nigerians (2025)
If you plan to study in Sweden, you must hold the right immigration status for the length of your programme. Courses of 90 days or less fall under the short-stay student visa, commonly called a Type C visa.
Programmes that run beyond three months require a long-stay status, the Type D residence permit. Students who wish to remain in Sweden after completing their degrees must renew or switch status under Swedish immigration rules before their current permit expires.
Core documents
Have a passport valid at least three months beyond your permit end date with two blank pages. Present an official full-time admission letter showing programme details and tuition, two recent 35×45 mm photos, proof of funds covering living costs or a scholarship letter, proof of accommodation, medical insurance worth at least €30,000 if your stay is under one year, a return or onward flight reservation, proof of paid fees and, if sponsored, a signed sponsor letter.
How to apply
Complete the form online or via the visa application centre and sign it. Book an appointment; Nigerian applications are processed by the Embassy of Sweden in Nairobi, not Abuja. Appointment requests can be sent to bookings.abuja@gov.se with your biodata and contact details. Submit documents and biometrics on your appointment day; you may be invited for an interview. Track your file and collect your passport when notified.
Timelines and fees
Processing can take up to three months, and longer during spring or summer. Apply early. The indicative fee is SEK 1,500 but may change; confirm the latest amount before payment. Fees are non-refundable.
Work during studies
With a valid residence permit, international students may work while studying, provided permit and academic conditions are maintained.
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I found the breakdown of core documents especially helpful. Things like: a passport valid at least three months past your permit end date, an official admission letter, proof of sufficient funds or a scholarship, medical insurance (for stays under a year), proof of accommodation, and, if applicable, a sponsorship letter.
Often, what trips people up is missing one small piece. Having a checklist like that feels practical.
I also appreciated the transparency about timelines and costs. The article notes that processing can take up to three months, sometimes longer in busy seasons, and that you’ll need to pay SEK 1,500 (though subject to change).
That kind of info is critical — you can’t just wait until the last minute and hope for the best.
One thing I’m curious about is how strict the income requirement is in practice, and how many applicants get delays over mismatches in documentation or formatting. Also, the fact that Nigerian student visa applications go through the Swedish Embassy in Nairobi (not Abuja) was a detail I didn’t expect.
That adds logistical complexity — you’d need to plan travel or coordinate with that embassy.
All told, this article feels like a good tool for someone preparing for a Swedish study visa. It balances encouragement with realism — reminding you to start early, gather every document carefully, and factor in both cost and time. If I were going through this process, I’d feel more confident (and more cautious) after reading it.