Migration and asylum

Migration State Secretary Anders Hall visited Ethiopia on 3–6 March to discuss issues related to return and migration. During his trip, Mr Hall met various government and agency representatives, including State Minister of Foreign Affairs Mesganu Arga and General Director, Immigration and Citizenship Services (ICS) Selamawit Dawit.

The strategy for Sweden’s global development cooperation on migration, returns and voluntary repatriation is an important part of the implementation of the Government’s new reform agenda for development assistance. The strategy is worth SEK 3 billion in total and applies for the years 2024–2028.

On 30–31 January, State Secretary Anders Hall took part in an informal meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs Council (JHA) in Warsaw, Poland. In conjunction with the meeting, Mr Hall paid a visit to Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency.

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.

The Government has adopted a new strategy for Sweden’s global development cooperation on migration, returns and voluntary repatriation. The strategy comprises SEK 3 billion for the period 2024–2028 and is part of governing Sweden’s development assistance to strengthen synergies between migration policy and development assistance policy.

In the Budget Bill for 2025, the Government presented measures to stimulate voluntary repatriation that include increased financial assistance in 2026. This repatriation assistance will be aimed at certain individuals who already have the legal right to reside in Sweden. It will not apply to those who may obtain legal right in the future or people with a return decision.

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.

The Government has decided to refer proposals to the Council on Legislation that aim to improve Sweden’s ability to attract and retain highly qualified workers.

Last year’s trend of fewer asylum seekers in Sweden and fewer residence permits granted continues. According to the Swedish Migration Agency’s prognosis, Sweden is on track to have the lowest number of asylum seekers since 1997 and, for the first time in over 50 years, Sweden has net emigration.

In the first half of 2023, the Government tasked the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) with conducting a survey aimed at people who have fled to Sweden from Ukraine. The Government has now received a follow-up report, which shows positive developments in almost all areas.

This regional strategy for the Syria crisis forms part of Sweden’s overall development and foreign policy and will help to strengthen local resilience among the Syrian population, Syrian refugees and vulnerable groups in the refugee-hosting communities of neighbouring countries Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye, all of which are major regional recipients of Syrian refugees.

The Government has adopted a new regional strategy for the Syria crisis. It comprises SEK 880 million over three years and is being implemented by Sida. Sweden’s engagement is aimed at supporting the Syrian population in Syria, Syrian refugees and vulnerable groups in host societies in the neighbouring countries Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye.

An inquiry has been tasked with proposing measures to improve the prospects of attracting and retaining foreign doctoral students and researchers in Sweden. The aim is to strengthen Sweden’s competitiveness as a research and innovation nation. The inquiry will also review the regulatory framework for residence permits for studies, with the aim of counteracting abuse of study permits.

Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard received an inquiry report today entitled ‘New regulations on labour immigration, etc.’ The report contains a number of proposals that aim to make conditions for low-skilled labour immigration more stringent while promoting highly skilled labour immigration.

In a referral to the Council on Legislation, the Government proposes amending the legislation on Swedish citizenship. The proposals entail stricter requirements on acquisition of Swedish citizenship by notification and better protection for children and adults in vulnerable situations.