International staff
Welcome to Karolinska Institutet!
International Staff Services warmly welcomes international scholars and offers comprehensive support to researchers and doctoral students from abroad. On our website, you’ll find all the essential information needed to navigate your stay in Sweden and at our university.
Photo: Wikimedia CommonsMoving to Sweden step-by-step guide
Living in Stockholm
Photo: Tina Westunger/Camilla SvenskWorking at KI
Photo: Nicolas RaymondMoving from Sweden
Photo: KI HousingAccommodation
It is vital to start looking for somewhere to live as soon as you can!
Photo: Tomislav StjepicResidence permits and visas
Check if you need an entry visa, a residence permit or work permit.
Photo: Stefan ZimmermanLearn Swedish
There is a wide range of Swedish language courses available. Doctoral students and postdocs are offered a complimentary course.
Photo: Anna EkYour family
Swedish society is very family-friendly
Photo: Erik G SvenssonPrivate sublets for KI coworkers
Page for postings for landlords renting and renters looking for roommates (shared housing)
Photo: Unsplash: Kai DeIntroductory meetings for International staff
Here you can find information about upcoming meetings for international staff at KI.
Photo: N/AA Beginner's Guide to Swedish Academia
Young Academy of Sweden has developed a guide for international researchers, to help navigate Swedish academia and remove time-consuming obstacles.
Photo: logotypYour research opportunities in Sweden
Information from the Swedish Research Council about opportunities for researchers wanting to work in Sweden.
Career Service
Are you a student, PhD student or postdoctoral researcher? KI Career Service provides additional career support through a selection of events and videos on different career related topics.
New rules
New EU Blue Card rules from 1st January 2025
One of the key changes include lower salary threshold to qualify for the permit: from 1.5 times the gross average salary (59,850 kronor per month) to 1.25 times the gross average salary (49,875 kronor per month)
New work permit salary threshold from 18 June 2024
The minimum salary threshold for a work permit has been raised to 28 480 kronor a month for labour migrants from outside the EU. Researchers and doctoral students will not be affected as they have residence permits for researchers and doctoral studies respectively.
Travel to Sweden
Digital passport control for citizens of 22 countries
The Swedish Migration Agency is launching a pilot for digital passport control that will facilitate the application for a residence permit. Students and employees from 22 countries are the first to be allowed to use the identification app Freja to show their passport.
Pop-up for ID and passport controls in Hong Kong on 24-25 June 2025
The ID and passport control pop-up is only applicable to visa-exempt nationalities residing in Hong Kong or Macao who have already applied for a residence permit for the purpose of studying or working in Sweden.
The Embassy of Sweden in Pakistan opens for visitors on April 9
From 9 April 2025, you can once again visit the embassy in Islamabad for certain migration matters.
International travel
European Union – Revised timeline for the EES and ETIAS
The implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) is expected to become operational in October 2025. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is expected to follow in the last quarter of 2026.
New requirements for Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to the UK from 2 April 2025
Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETAs) are being introduced worldwide for visitors to the UK who do not currently need a visa for short stays, or who do not already have a UK immigration status.
Stockholm is a State of Minds.
Stockholm Dual Career Network
The Stockholm Dual Career Network (SDCN) is a non-profit network for partners and spouses of international talent in Stockholm. SDCN supports expat partners with professional events, career-related advice and by building a social network in their new hometown. Membership in SDCN is free of charge for partners to KI coworkers.
Stockholm is a State of Minds – the SDCN Podcast
The only podcast you need to become Swed...ish - conversations exploring key topics commonly discussed over coffee breaks and meals as well as pivotal events that have shaped Swedish society for generations
Proposals
Proposal: Better conditions for foreign researchers and doctoral students to work in Sweden
Proposals with a view to improving the migration regulations for foreign researchers and doctoral and other serious students, and to counteract abuse of residence permits for studies. The amendments are proposed to come into effect on March 1, 2026.
Plans to introduce tests on Swedish language and society for permanent residency from 2027
A new government inquiry has proposed that adults seeking permanent residency from 2027 will have to pass two tests, one on the Swedish language and the other on Swedish society. The proposal states that applicants would be expected to have a level of Swedish equivalent to A2 on the CEFR, equivalent to SFI level C.
Babies born in Sweden to foreign researchers must go abroad to apply for residency
According to the Aliens Act, a researcher’s family member must have applied for a residence permit before entering Sweden. Foreign researchers with permits to live and work in Sweden are told that they must travel abroad to be able to apply for a residence permit for their newborn children. The legislative amendments that make it possible to apply from Sweden proposed to enter into force on 1 March 2026.
Photo: EURAXESSEURAXESS
EURAXESS - Researchers in Motion is a unique pan-European initiative delivering information and support services to professional researchers.
Photo: N/AEURAXESS Smart Talks
The EURAXESS Smart Talks podcast for talents is your personal guide to Research Careers, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.
Photo: Emma SjöndinCan Sweden afford to lose them? Report: Supporting international junior researchers' career opportunities outside academia
Information for people coming to Sweden from Ukraine
Calendar international staff
Contact International Staff Services
Contact information at the Central KI Administration and KI departments.
Postdoc at KI
Rules and general information on postdoctoral training for postdocs, PIs and administrative staff.
Photo: istockphotoLearn more about Stockholm
Visit Stockholm - the official guide
Photo: N/AWorking in Sweden
The Swedish Institute: Your guide to working or running a business in Sweden
Photo: Pixabay CC0Discover Sweden
The Swedish Institute: Facts and stories about Sweden
Photo: Julian HerzogThe Newbie Guide to Sweden
New in Sweden?