The new bill proposes reintroducing the good behaviour requirement which existed in Swedish migration law prior to 2005, referred to in Swedish as the vandelskrav.
This means that foreigners considered to have so-called bristande vandel, roughly a flawed way of life or poor conduct, will no longer qualify for a residency permit.
"If you for example neglect to pay your debts, if you don't follow decisions by Swedish authorities, if you cheat on benefits or if you cheat in order to get a Swedish residence permit – well, then you don't have the right to be here," Migration Minister Johan Forssell told a press conference on March 24th.
Other factors that could be considered as poor conduct could be working illegally or not paying fines. Prostitution, begging and substance abuse as such are not included.
Statements should not in and of themselves count as poor conduct, but could be used to confirm a permit holder's links to violent or extremist organisations.
The new law will apply retroactively. This means that all residence permits will be affected, not just those issued after it comes into force.
Previous poor conduct will also be grounds for revocation, but not on its own, only together with actions that take place after the law comes into force.
Critics of the new law have argued that the poor conduct requirement is too open to interpretation and risks undermining the rule of law in Sweden.
"I think that they should take the time and read this legislation that we are presenting today. So it's perhaps a bit odd to say that something is completely wrong, if you haven't read the legislation presented today, and it is in accordance with all international law. And there are also many mechanisms here for making sure that it also was also in line with every legal procedure," Forssell told The Local after the press conference.
The government also proposes that it should be possible to revoke residence permits in more situations than today, unrelated to poor conduct. Such reasons could include that a permit holder is seen as a threat to public order or security, that they've lied in order to receive a residence permit, or that the grounds on which they were awarded a permit no longer apply.
It will be up to the Migration Agency to assess whether someone is indeed guilty of poor conduct, and it will be possible to appeal the decisions to the Migration Court.
The new rules will apply to everyone whose residence permit is based on Swedish immigration law, such as work permits and family members.
They will not apply to foreigners whose right to stay in Sweden is based on EU law and conventions, such as refugees, EU citizens and third country citizens in Sweden on an EU permit.
If they win the backing of parliament, the new rules are set to come into force on July 13th.
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