Migration and integration

Sweden should be an attractive destination for talent and international expertise. The Government has therefore approved a bill comprising proposals aimed at improving the conditions under migration law for researchers, doctoral candidates and students. The bill also aims to counter abuse of residence permits granted for studies.

The Government has decided on legislative amendments that will substantially increase the financial grant for voluntary repatriation as of January 2026. The legislative amendments also provide the Swedish Migration Agency with additional tools to offset the risk for cheating and abuse of the grant.

The Government and the Sweden Democrats today presented a new agreement to adjust the wage level for labour immigration to 90 per cent of the median wage in Sweden. The cooperation parties also plan to set out stricter requirements for family member immigration. The Government and the Sweden Democrats have additionally announced an upcoming inquiry aimed at curtailing abuses.

Fighting work-related crime is a priority area for the Government. For this reason, the Government has approved a bill with proposals aiming to introduce more stringent conditions for labour immigration and counteract fraud and work-related crime, while still promoting immigration of highly-skilled labour.

The Government has decided to appoint an inquiry to deepen knowledge about parallel social structures that among other things consist of clans and family-based networks. The inquiry will define the impacts of such groups in terms of integration and exclusion in Sweden. The aim is to develop in-depth knowledge that will improve efforts to counteract parallel social structures and contribute to a safer, and a more cohesive Sweden.

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

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.

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.

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

The Government has decided to task an inquiry with reviewing Sweden’s regulatory framework on asylum to adjust it to the minimum level required under EU law. The aim is to ensure responsible and restrictive regulations.

The Government has tasked an inquiry chair with submitting proposals for more stringent requirements for Swedish citizenship. The aim is to enhance the status of citizenship and promote an inclusive society of empowered individuals with improved opportunities to actively participate in society.

The Government has adopted supplementary terms of reference for the Inquiry on reinforcing return operations. The aim is to improve the conditions for conducting effective return operations and reinforcing internal controls of aliens.

The Government has decided to appoint an inquiry to conduct a review of the entire regulatory framework on detention found in the Aliens Act with the view of making it more modern and appropriate.

The Government has decided to consult the Council on Legislation on proposals concerning stricter conditions for family member immigration in certain cases, and restricted possibilities to grant residence permits on humanitarian grounds.

The Government has tasked the Swedish Migration Agency with setting up return centres to house rejected asylum seekers. In these centres, the Migration Agency will actively work to motivate the people there to return voluntarily, and will provide advice, guidance and practical support.

The Government has decided to refer proposals to the Council on Legislation. Under these proposals, it would be possible to withdraw a residence permit if it can be assumed that the person will carry out state-sponsored corporate espionage or activities related to terrorism.

To enhance the value of Swedish citizenship, the Government considers that the requirements that must be met to become a Swedish citizen need to be more stringent. For this reason, on Friday 5 May, Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard convened a press briefing along with the Sweden Democrats group leader in the Riksdag, Linda Lindberg. At the briefing, they outlined what measures the Government intends to take to strengthen Swedish citizenship.

Today, Inquiry Chair and Judge Fredrik Fries presented his inquiry report to Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard. The Inquiry proposes introducing requirements of Swedish language skills and knowledge of Swedish society as conditions for being granted a permanent residence permit.

The memorandum ‘An increased maintenance requirement for labour immigration’ was today circulated for comment. In the memorandum, the Government proposes that to be granted a work permit, a labour migrant must have a wage amounting to at least 80 per cent of the median wage.