Sweden Student Visa Rejection Reasons

Sweden is climbing the list of popular study-abroad destinations, and the number of student visa applications is at an all-time high. International students wishing to study in Sweden must obtain a student visa and a residence permit based on the length of their stay. Even in the midst of the pandemic, the number of Swedish student visas issued to Indian students increased. Around 1648 visas were issued to Indian students who had applied for them. However, some students faced visa rejections due to numerous reasons. Here’s what you need to know about Sweden’s Student Visa rejection before applying.

List of Common Sweden Student Visa Rejection Reasons

The rules for applying for a residence permit extension in Sweden are extremely strict, according to the Swedish Migration Agency. For the fiscal year 2019-2020, the rejection rate for Swedish residence permits is 40-50%. Here is a list of the most common reasons for the denial of a student visa or residence permit:

Insufficient funds

A student visa to Sweden is only issued if the student can show that they meet the financial requirements. It is critical to be completely honest about your financial situation in order to avoid Sweden’s student visa rejection. Bank documents and scholarship documents (if applicable) should be kept on hand at all times.

Incomplete Student visa Application

The visa application form is one of the first documents to fill out when planning to study in Sweden. This application represents the student at a consulate. Any missing information may result in the rejection of the Sweden student visa. Furthermore, if you have any questions about the information provided, you should address them as soon as possible to avoid any technical complications.

Documents are missing

A set of documents must be submitted in addition to the application form. It primarily consists of identity proof, health insurance, a letter from a university, and bank documents. If any of these documents are missing or are not submitted in the required format when applying online, the likelihood of receiving a Sweden student visa increases. Furthermore, the documents must meet international standards, which necessitates the translation of regional language documents.

Criminal Records

Anyone with a criminal record will be denied entry into international waters. A student visa application with a criminal record is denied because the applicant is viewed as a security risk to the country.

Unsatisfactory responses to interview questions

An interview is held before a student visa for Sweden is issued. If a student is unable to defend the course they have chosen or has not done sufficient research on Sweden and the course/university, the rate of Sweden student visa rejection rises. Furthermore, the student must be able to verify all of the information contained in the application. A confident and relaxed demeanour is expected in such a face-to-face interview.

Language Barriers

To obtain a student visa in Sweden, you must be able to communicate in English. In contrast, Swedish universities require students to have a language competency score in order to be admitted. A total score of 72 in the TOEFL iBT is required, with 17 in writing. A total score of 6.0 is required in IELTS, with each section requiring a score of at least 5.5.

Sweden Student Visa Requirements

The student’s need for a visa to study in Sweden is determined by factors such as

• Their birthplace.
• If the student has previously held a Schengen residence permit in another Schengen country.
• If they are a permanent resident of the European Union.

There are some specific requirements for applying for a student visa to Sweden. The following are the same:

• A valid passport is required for the student.
• The student must have enrolled in a full-time course that requires their presence in higher education.
• The students must be able to support themselves financially for the duration of the residence permit they are applying for.
• Before applying, the student must have paid a reasonable tuition fee.
• If the student intends to stay in Sweden for less than a year, they must have applied for health insurance.

Sweden Student Visa Reapplications and Post-Denial Actions

If the student’s request to apply for a residence permit extension is denied by the Swedish Migration Agency, he or she will be forced to leave the country. The agency will decide when the student must leave the country. The student will be informed of this period via the decision.

The student has the option of accepting the decision or appealing it. If they file an appeal against the decision, they will have to wait until their case is heard in the native court.

The following are the probabilities in cases where the student chooses to appeal the decision:

• The student must still make a backup plan to return to their home country or any other country where they have permission to stay.
• The ‘Decision Acquires Legal Force’ within 4 weeks indicates that the decision has become effective and cannot be appealed.

Sweden Student Visa Sucess Rate

Sweden, like the rest of Europe, is well-known for its high-quality educational institutions. It is one of the most egalitarian countries in the world, making it ideal for students of all genders. Sweden has a student visa success rate of 50-60% with residence permits.

In the 2019-20 academic year, 9,600 newcomers enrolled in Swedish institutions, with 13,100 being exchange students and 26,500 being “free mover students” who enrolled in courses outside of organised student mobility programmes. 73% of these free movers were Asian, with around 2,000 from India.

Student Visa vs. Residence Permit in Sweden

The student visa and the residence permit are both required for non-EU/EEA citizens who intend to stay and study in Sweden. However, whether you need a student visa or a residence permit depends on the length of your stay.

Visa Type	Duration of Stay
Student Visa	Less than 90 days
Residence permit in Sweden	More than 90 days

Is it Hard to Get a Sweden Student Visa?

It is moderately difficult to get a Sweden student visa. As of 2024, the success rate for a Sweden visa is only 50% to 60%. Therefore, you have to be very careful while you fill out the visa application form. Ensure that you have only submitted accurate information, and provided all necessary documents. Additionally, ensure that your purpose of visiting Sweden is only to study in the country.

What to Do if Sweden Visa is Rejected?

If your Sweden visa application has been rejected. You are left with two choices. The first option is to reapply. You can read the visa refusal letter, and identify the reason for your rejection. Thereafter, you need to correct the error and reapply. For example, if the visa has been rejected due to lack of finances, ensure you have funds before you reapply,

Another option is to file an appeal to the Embassy of Sweden. The appeal must be filed in writing through email or mail. You can only file an appeal once. After an appeal has been filed the embassy will take the appeal into consideration, and go over your case again.

FAQs

This was all about Sweden’s student visa rejection reasons. If you’re planning to study abroad, connect with our experts at Leverage Edu and book your 30-minute free counselling session at 1800 57 2000