People with visa exemptions to be able to show their original passport

The measures aim to ensure that an applicant does not have to travel long distances to show their passport, that the time an applicant spends is minimised, and that students, researchers and workers are attracted to come to Sweden.

“The Government does not want Sweden to lose its competitiveness. We are therefore taking necessary measures to make it easier for people with visa exemptions to show their original passport,” says Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard.

On 1 November 2022, a new practice came into effect following a legal position paper presented by the Swedish Migration Agency. This practice stipulates that anyone applying for a residence and work permit must show their original passport. This change of practice is part of the Swedish Migration Agency’s work to improve the passport and identity checks of those applying for a temporary residence permit.

However, this change of practice meant that people with visa exemptions, who previously were able to easily enter Sweden after having received a decision and without having to go to a mission abroad, now had to travel long distances just to show their passport.

Through an amendment to the Swedish Migration Agency’s appropriation directions for 2023, the Government therefore intends to task the Agency with making it easier for people with visa exemptions to show their original passport.

The measures the Government is now taking will improve the rules for highly skilled foreign workers as well as for foreign researchers and doctoral students. The measures will also help make it more attractive to study and do research at Swedish higher education institutions and make Sweden a more attractive place for highly skilled foreign workers.

“To strengthen Sweden’s position as a research nation, we need to help make it more attractive for foreign researchers and doctoral students to study, do research or work at Swedish higher education institutions. This task is part of the Government’s efforts to improve the rules for highly skilled labour immigration,” says Minister for Education Mats Persson.