Johan Forssell

Opinion piece by Minister for Migration Johan Forssell in Dagens Industri, 26 June 2025.

On 3–4 June, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and Head of the UNHCR Filippo Grandi is visiting Stockholm for talks with Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa, and Minister for Migration Johan Forssell.

The Government has decided to appoint an inquiry to investigate and propose that Swedish citizenship be revoked in certain cases.

More than 600 leading Swedish and international companies, investors and decision-makers gathered in Stockholm on 19 February for the Join Sweden Summit, the Government’s international investment conference that set a new attendance record this year. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson hosted the conference.

On Wednesday 19 February, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is hosting the Join Sweden Summit 2025, bringing together more than 600 international and Swedish companies, investors and decision makers. HRH Prince Daniel will open the conference and a number of Government ministers are also participating.

The Government has adopted a bill that aims to ensure that more people who have been issued with removal orders return to their country of origin.

Minister for Migration Johan Forssell received a report on the introduction of stricter requirements for Swedish citizenship. The report includes proposals aimed at tightening the status of citizenship and increasing individuals’ opportunities to actively participate in society.

Yesterday, Minister for Migration Johan Forssell was presented with a memorandum entitled Bättre migrationsrättsliga regler för forskare och studenter (‘Better migration regulations for researchers and students’). It contains 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.

On 12 November, the Embassy of Sweden was officially inaugurated in Dublin. The Embassy has been long-awaited in Dublin, and its establishment has been met with great interest from both Swedish and Irish parties.

On 7 October 2023, Hamas committed the worst mass murder of Jews since the Holocaust. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was joined by other ministers in a ceremony at Stockholm’s Great Synagogue on the evening of 7 October 2024 to honour the memory of the victims of the attack.

Today, the Government decided to refer proposals to the Council on Legislation, including a proposal that all asylum seekers should stay in Swedish Migration Agency accommodation, instead of arranging accommodation on their own.

The Government has presented a government bill to the Riksdag with proposals aimed at improving Sweden’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified workers.

The Government is now taking further steps in its overhaul of migration policy. In the Budget Bill for 2025, the Government proposes sweeping reforms for a responsible and restrictive migration policy.

Swedish and Finnish ministers will undertake a number of joint visits on the afternoon of 16 September. Media representatives are welcome to take part in the visits. Contact the relevant press contacts for more information, see below. Note that the list is subject to change.

Today, Tuesday 10 September and in connection with the Statement of Government Policy, Mr Kristersson announced changes within the Government: two new ministers and four ministers who are changing ministerial posts.

The Government has approved an additional SEK 500 million in support for heating and electricity supply in Ukraine. According to World Bank calculations, the support could help generate electricity for 185 000 people, making this Sweden’s largest contribution yet to Ukrainian energy supply. 

On 3 September, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell received Türkiye’s Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat. The aim of the visit was to promote dialogue between Sweden and Türkiye within the framework of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).

The Government has approved SEK 2 million in support to the inhabitants of Gammalsvenskby in Ukraine. The village, which was founded by Swedes in 1782, has been under immense pressure since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. The new support will be used to meet the inhabitants’ immediate needs during the winter. The initiative also means that the village’s children will have the opportunity to attend a summer camp on Gotland next year. The support is a first step in Sweden’s commitment to rebuilding the village’s cultural heritage in the long term.

On 2–3 September, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will receive the Amir of the State of Qatar, HH Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, in Stockholm. The visit will focus on developing Sweden and Qatar’s cooperation in areas such as green transition, infrastructure and health care. It will also provide an opportunity to discuss current foreign policy issues.

Today, the Government has appointed Ulrik Tideström as special envoy for Ukraine’s reconstruction, business sector and development.