Sweden for Nigerians

Study in Sweden

A Nigerian student needs final admission to a full-time programme before applying to the Swedish Migration Agency for a study residence permit. Many master's programmes are taught in English. Check the institution, tuition, programme language, insurance and whether the course gives the expected post-study opportunity before paying.

The applicant must show the Migration Agency's current monthly maintenance amount for the permit period, in addition to tuition where applicable. Use the figure for the year of application and the accepted bank, scholarship or sponsor evidence; family members require additional funds.

Work in Sweden

A Swedish employer starts the work-permit process with a genuine offer that meets the salary, insurance and employment-condition rules. From 1 June 2026, the general salary floor is SEK 34,470 a month, equal to 90 per cent of the published median salary, although an occupation or collective agreement can require more. The job must normally be advertised in Sweden and the EU/EEA before the offer is completed.

The main routes are an employer-sponsored work permit, the EU Blue Card and defined permits for researchers, intra-company transfers or self-employment. Ask the employer for the written offer and application reference. A recruitment message or contract that does not meet the permit conditions will not support lawful work.

Permanent residency and citizenship in Sweden

Permanent residence depends on the permit route, not simply on living in Sweden for about five years. A worker may qualify after holding qualifying work permits for four years within the previous seven, but must also be able to support themselves and meet the conduct requirements. Family cases have their own requirements. Since 12 July 2026, a person with an asylum-related residence permit cannot obtain Swedish permanent residence through that permit. Permanent residence permits already granted are not affected.

Most adults now need eight years of habitual residence to qualify for Swedish citizenship. The rules took effect on 6 June 2026 and also apply to applications that were still undecided on that date. Applicants must be able to support themselves; for 2026, qualifying employment or business income must normally be at least SEK 250,200 a year before tax. Applicants aged 16 to 66 must also show knowledge of Swedish and Swedish society. Approved qualifications can satisfy this requirement. The society test becomes available from August 2026, while the new Swedish-language citizenship test is not expected before autumn 2027. Shorter residence periods apply to certain groups. Sweden allows dual citizenship.

Family Reunification in Sweden

Family members of a person living in Sweden can apply, usually subject to a maintenance requirement covering income and housing.

Spouse, registered partner or cohabiting partner, and children.

Sponsor must usually meet a maintenance requirement, showing enough income and adequate housing for the family.

A maintenance requirement applies to most family cases, with amounts set by the authorities. Confirm the current figures with Migrationsverket.

Marriage or cohabitation evidence, birth certificates, proof of income and housing, and translated Nigerian documents where needed.

Marriage in Sweden

Before a marriage takes place, the Swedish Tax Agency, called Skatteverket, carries out an impediment check. This simply means it checks that both partners are old enough, not closely related and not already married. An authorised civil or religious officiant conducts the ceremony after approval.

A Nigerian applicant may need a passport, civil-status details and evidence of any previous marriage ending through divorce or death. Skatteverket decides what foreign records it needs for the impediment check and whether a Nigerian document requires legalization or translation.

Apply jointly for the impediment check, receive the approval documents and give them to the chosen officiant before the ceremony. The approval is valid for a limited period. Marriage registration and the Nigerian spouse's Swedish residence application are separate processes.

Using Nigerian Documents in Sweden

For partner residence, submit the relationship records requested by the Swedish Migration Agency in Swedish or English. Ask the receiving authority whether legalization is needed before seeking Nigerian MFA and Swedish Embassy signature legalization.

Where the receiving authority requires Nigerian MFA authentication, begin through Advanced Consular Services online, then follow the appointment instructions for physical vetting. Check the portal for current location, documents and payment. Education-ministry and Ministry of Interior steps depend on the specific document and receiving procedure.

The Swedish Embassy in Abuja can legalize a competent Nigerian MFA official's signature. That service is used only if the Swedish authority receiving the document requires it. For a partner residence application, follow the Swedish Migration Agency's document checklist.

For a partner residence application, the Swedish Migration Agency requires documents in Swedish or English. If a record is in another language, follow that application's translation instructions.

NPC birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, single-status certificate, degree certificate and transcript, WAEC or NECO certificates, and police character certificate.

Asylum & Legal Stay in Sweden

A person must be in Sweden or at the Swedish border to ask for asylum. Tell the border police on arrival, or apply at a Swedish Migration Agency Reception and Return Centre in Malmo, Gothenburg, Stockholm or Boden. The authorities register identity and fingerprints, arrange an interpreter and interview the applicant before deciding refugee or subsidiary-protection status.

Official Asylum & Legal Stay Source

Submit available identity records and evidence, keep the Migration Agency informed of the current address and attend every interview. Ask for free legal advice; a public counsel may be appointed where the rules allow it. A refusal can be appealed, and the written decision states the deadline.