Immigration
Latest news and information from Sweden on immigration, migration, immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees.
Swedish union leaders warn 'haphazard' citizenship reforms could harm international reputation
With less than a month until parliament is set to vote on Sweden's biggest citizenship overhaul in years, Spotify Workers Unionen and the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO) have thrown their support behind a campaign to include transitional rules for those already in the Migration Agency's queue.
'We can go elsewhere': Skilled workers question future in Sweden over citizenship reforms
Chandra and Vibha are one of many highly educated – and high-earning – working families reevaluating their commitment to Sweden in light of the government's plan to apply big citizenship rule changes even to those who applied years ago.
IN DATA: How many teen deportations are there in Sweden?
Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson claims the issue of teen deportations affects only a few "individual cases". We know from our readers that it's more common than that, but statistics are hard to find.
IN DATA: Which are the oldest cases in Sweden's citizenship backlog?
The oldest application in Sweden's queue for citizenship has been waiting for a decision for nine years, possibly ten. Here are the numbers on Sweden's citizenship backlog.
Swedish Migration Agency stops automatically taking passports in citizenship cases
Sweden's Migration Agency has stopped automatically requesting passports at the start of citizenship applications to lessen the inconvenience to applicants who want to travel.
This Swedish 'språkcafé' is about more than just learning the language
At the Ålidhem language café in Umeå, people of all ages and cultural backgrounds come to learn Swedish – and about each other. In a political landscape where immigration is often seen as a problem, community spaces like this tell a different story.
Swedish migration minister doesn't rule out meeting citizenship campaigners
Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell didn't fully commit to meeting campaigners who are urging the government to change its mind on including transitional citizenship rules – but he didn't rule it out either.
Swedish government moves ahead with 'snitch law' bill to track down undocumented migrants
The government is pushing ahead with a watered-down proposal to make a number of state employees obligated to report foreigners without valid permits to the police.
Sweden could start deporting foreigners over 'poor conduct' this summer
The Swedish government is moving forward with a bill to reject or revoke residency permits of foreigners who are not living up to its standards for good behaviour.
Swedish security police justify stance on citizenship transitional rules
Sweden's Säpo security police has justified its opposition to adding transitional rules to an upcoming bill bringing in stricter citizenship rules, saying that the process of identifying possible threats "often takes a long time".
What does Sweden's new work permit salary threshold mean for you?
Sweden’s work permit salary threshold is set to rise once again from the current level of 80 percent of the median salary, to 90 percent on June 1st. How will this affect you if you’re on a work permit?
Opinion: 'Swedish lawmakers, please consider transitional rules for those of us stuck in citizenship queue'
The Local's reader Maria Imtiaz, who has been waiting almost seven years for Swedish citizenship, is pleading with decision-makers not to let the upcoming citizenship reforms sweep the rug out from under the feet of those affected by the Migration Agency's long processing times.
Swedish parliament votes through new work permit salary threshold
Sweden's parliament has voted to bring in a new minimum salary for work permits set at 90 percent of Sweden's median wage, with the new requirement in force from June 1st.
Inquiry proposes stripping Swedish citizenship for gang violence
A government inquiry has proposed stripping dual nationals of their Swedish citizenship if they are found guilty of weapons and explosives crimes, money-laundering, or benefits fraud committed "as part of a criminal network".
Swedish government scraps language tests for permanent residency
Sweden's government has dropped plans to bring in compulsory language tests for those applying for permanent residency, a spokesperson for Migration Minister Johan Forssell has told The Local.
Thousands join protests across Sweden against harsher immigration laws
Thousands of people joined demonstrations in nearly 30 locations across Sweden over the weekend to call for “more humane immigration laws”.
How to join a protest about immigration laws in Sweden this weekend
Demonstrations are planned in nearly 30 different locations across Sweden on Saturday and Sunday (just Stockholm for that last one). Here's how you can join.
'They came to their senses': Readers react to Sweden's deportation u-turn
Readers of The Local have given the government's agreement to reduce deportations a cautious welcome, although several expressed anger that it had taken so long to act and a few questioned how many people facing deportation would be allowed to stay.
TELL US: What are your views on Sweden's deportation U-turn?
Sweden's government has struck an agreement with the Sweden Democrats to stop the deportation of young adults and of foreigners hit by the abolition of the track change law. We want to hear your views on this and whether it will affect you.
Sweden's government backs down on deportations in migration u-turn
Sweden's government has struck an agreement with the far-right Sweden Democrats to stop the deportation of young adults and of foreigners hit by the abolition of the track change law, backing down after a month of heavy media pressure.
Will you need to leave Sweden if your citizenship application is denied?
Are you worried about your Swedish citizenship application being denied, despite you meeting all the requirements at the time of application? Here are your next steps, as well as how to appeal if you think the Migration Agency has made a mistake.
Sweden Democrat leader calls for freeze on teen deportations
Sweden Democrat leader Jimmie Åkesson has called for the country’s controversial ‘teen deportations’ to be suspended with immediate effect until a solution has been found.
Does Sweden need an 'integration amnesty' to stop deportations?
Few positions are more central on Sweden’s political right than the one Fredrik Kopsch holds as chief economist at Timbro. But as he launches a new book on deportations, Utvisad, which calls for an amnesty for integrated foreigners, he says his liberal views feel increasingly at out of place.