Sweden and its universities are competing in a highly competitive international study and labour market, and there have been far too many obstacles placed in the way of individuals who want to bring their international expertise here to study and then stay on for highly skilled work in academia, business or industry.
For several years, Lund University and many other stakeholders within the sector and beyond have been calling on the Government to alter and simplify immigration legislation and its regulations for researchers and doctoral students. Sweden and its universities are competing in a highly competitive international study and labour market, and there have been far too many obstacles placed in the way of individuals who want to bring their international expertise here to study and then stay on for highly skilled work in academia, business or industry.
Several of these obstacles have also been investigated over the years, and thankfully a couple of them have been removed. Now, for example, parents of “research babies” born in Sweden no longer have to travel to their home country to apply for residence permits for their babies there but can apply for them from within Sweden instead.
When the Government recently presented its bill on better migration regulations for researchers and students” (Bill 2025/26:146), I can state that it moves us in a direction that further simplifies the mobility of international researchers and doctoral students, which is so important to us. Any measures that attract and make things easier for international expertise are welcome!
Above all, we wanted to see the process of obtaining permanent residence permits for doctoral students sped up, and this time period is now being lowered to three years instead of the four-year period that currently applies (the changes will take effect on June 11 this year). To outsiders, this may sound like a minor detail, but it makes a huge difference in the academic world, since it means that virtually all doctoral students will be able to qualify for permanent residence permits while still working on their doctorates.
It is excellent news that the jobseeker's permit is being extended from the current 12 to 18 months for researchers and doctoral students who are looking for work after completing their research or studies. One year is an unreasonably short period of time for a doctoral student, who often has only a few highly qualified expert positions to apply for.
I would also like to highlight that the new rules mean that in future it will be possible to switch from a jobseeker's permit to a residence permit for doctoral studies or research from within Sweden. This change facilitates mobility between industry/business and academia and is very welcome!
/ Erik Renström, vice-chancellor
