Intl students to have permanent residence in Sweden after 4-year doctoral study

Source:Xinhua Published: 2014-4-9 9:57:10

International students after four-year studies at doctoral level in Sweden will probably be able to obtain the country's permanent residence, as a crucial bill proposed earlier is expected to pass the upcoming parliamentary vote, according to the Swedish Ministry of education.

The government reached an agreement with the Green party on the subject, which had helped the proposal win support from the majority of the parliament, Eva-Marie Byberg, press secretary to Education Minister Jan Bjorklund told Xinhua on Tuesday, adding that "there shouldn't be any problem" for the bill to be passed in June.

The bill proposes that a person with a student visa has studied at the Phd research level for four years during the past seven years in Sweden shall be qualified for the Swedish permanent residence, according to a recent statement of the Swedish government.

The proposal aims to increase researchers' mobility and to "attract more international students to choose Sweden as their destination of study."

"We have some of the most smart researchers in the whole world that come to Sweden every year. It is strange that they are sent home before they can start to work and make contribution to Sweden's development," Jan Bjorklund, the Swedish Minister for Education was quoted as saying by the Swedish Business daily Dagens Industri (DI).

It is estimated that around 800 people will be offered the Swedish permanent residence every year once the bill is passed, said DI.

"There are many Asians, people from China and India. Some of them are the most qualified people with doctorate in natural science, technic and mathematics, in which areas the Swedish industry is looking for competence," Bjorklund added.

Furthermore, the bill also proposed to offer other international students that have received higher education in Sweden an extension of visa after they have finished their education so as to give them time to look for jobs or continue study.

If endorsed, the bill will come into force July 1 this year.



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