Education in Sweden is becoming less and less popular among students from countries that are not part of the European Union. This is due to bureaucratic costs, which have worsened in recent years: foreign applicants have to deal with paperwork for several months (!) that will allow them to enter the country as students. Universities do not help speed up the paperwork process, so sometimes, even after all the resource costs, a foreigner may be denied a visa.
The Swedish association SULF-DCA is concerned that the new migration rules complicate the work of universities that teach international students. Moreover, not only new students suffer, but also those non-residents of Sweden who are already studying for a doctorate.
Representatives of universities include the tightening of conditions for obtaining a residence permit in the country to negative changes in migration policy: now at least 5 years of residence in Sweden are required (opportunities are limited even for short-term trips abroad), confirmation of financial status with several documents from the bank, and the conclusion of a long-term contract with an employer.
Also we remember that universities do not help their students in solving problems related to visas and residence permits: they do not have sufficient connections with government agencies that would help speed up the processes of processing and checking documents.
Experts suggest that in the future, the Swedish government will again relax migration rules and requirements for foreign students, but now young foreign scientists in Sweden are forced to put up with the realities.
