Sweden New Immigration Rules 2026: Work Permit, Student, Family and Citizenship Changes

Last checked: October 2026

Sweden introduced several major immigration changes in 2026. The new rules affect work permits, international students, family members and citizenship. If you are a Pakistani planning to study, work or settle in Sweden, here is a simple summary of what has changed.

Note: Dream Visa Guide is a free informational website. We do not process visa applications. Always check the latest rules on the official Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) website.

Summary of Key Changes

1. Work Permit Changes (from 1 June 2026)

Higher Salary Requirement

To get a Swedish work permit, your monthly salary must now be at least 90% of the Swedish median salary. For applications received from 16 June 2026, this is SEK 34,470 per month (based on a median salary of SEK 38,300). Before this change, the requirement was 80% of the median salary.

The new rule applies to all decisions made on or after 1 June 2026, even if the application was submitted earlier.

Lower Threshold for Some Groups

Some applicants only need 75% of the median salary (SEK 28,725 per month):

• People working in occupations on the government’s shortage list, such as IT technicians, assistant nurses, care assistants, welders and electricians
• Former students and researchers in Sweden applying for their first work permit
• Foreign-trained doctors, dentists and nurses who are getting their Swedish licence
• Employees of certain young tech or life science companies (under five years old with fewer than 100 employees)

Other Work Permit Changes

• Health insurance: For stays of up to one year, you must have comprehensive health insurance.
• EU Blue Card: Maximum permit length increased from 2 years to 4 years.
• Seasonal work: Maximum period increased from 6 to 9 months in a 12-month period.
• Removed occupations: Personal assistants and forest berry pickers can no longer get a regular work permit.
• Employer checks: Applications can be refused if the employer has committed certain crimes or violations.

Extensions

If your permit was granted before 1 June 2026 and you apply for an extension between 1 June and 1 December 2026, the old 80% rule applies. From 2 December 2026, extensions must meet the new 90% requirement.

2. Changes for International Students (from 11 June 2026)

• 15-hour work limit: Students in bachelor’s and master’s programmes can work a maximum of 15 hours per week during the semester.
• No limit in summer: Students can work without a limit in June, July and August.
• After graduation: Students who complete a programme of at least two semesters can work without a limit for the rest of their permit.
• Switching to a work permit: Students usually must complete at least two semesters before applying for a work permit from inside Sweden.
• Study progress: Migrationsverket can now check your study progress when you extend your permit.
• Existing permits: Study permits issued before 11 June 2026 have no work limit, but the limit applies when you extend.

What this means for Pakistani students: You should not plan to pay your tuition or living costs mainly from part-time work. Make sure you can show enough funds for your full stay.

Good News for Researchers and PhD Students

• After finishing research or a PhD in Sweden, you can get a job-search permit for 12 to 18 months.
• A new route to permanent residence after three years on a research, doctoral or EU Blue Card permit.

3. New Citizenship Rules (from 6 June 2026)

• Residence requirement: Increased from 5 years to 8 years.
• Income requirement: Applicants must show annual income of at least SEK 250,200 (2026 figure, three “income base amounts”).
• Social assistance: You should not have received social assistance for more than six months in total in the three years before applying.
• Language and civics test: Expected from 1 October 2027 for applicants aged 16 to 67.
• Pending applications: The new rules also apply to applications that were still waiting for a decision on 6 June 2026.

4. Family Member Changes (from 1 October 2026)

• Higher maintenance requirement: The person in Sweden must earn more to bring family members.
• Extensions: The maintenance requirement now also applies when family members extend their permits.
• Two-year rule: If the person in Sweden has a temporary residence permit, they must usually have lived in Sweden for two years before family members can apply (with some exceptions).
• Transition: Permits granted before 1 October 2026 can be extended under the old maintenance amount if the extension is applied for by 1 October 2027.

What Pakistanis Should Do Now

1. Job seekers: Check that your job offer meets the new salary requirement before applying.
2. Students: Plan your finances without relying on large part-time income.
3. Families: Check the new maintenance amount before applying to join a family member.
4. Long-term residents: Plan for 8 years of residence and stable income before applying for citizenship.
5. Always apply directly on the Migrationsverket website. Never pay agents who promise “guaranteed” Swedish work permits.

Sweden is part of the Schengen area. For short visits, read our Schengen Visa Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum salary for a Sweden work permit in 2026?
For applications from 16 June 2026, the standard requirement is SEK 34,470 per month (90% of the median salary). Some groups only need SEK 28,725 per month.

Can international students work in Sweden?
Yes, but only up to 15 hours per week during the semester. There is no limit in June, July and August.

How many years do I need to live in Sweden for citizenship?
Eight years for most applicants, plus an income requirement.

Do the new rules apply to applications already submitted?
In many cases, yes. The work permit and citizenship rules apply to decisions made after the change, even for older applications.

Read more updates in our Visa Guides section.

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is based on information published by the Swedish Migration Agency up to October 2026. Salary amounts and rules can change. Always confirm the latest requirements on migrationsverket.se before applying. Dream Visa Guide is not affiliated with the Swedish government.