Residency permits
Information and practical advice about residency permits in Sweden.
EXPLAINED: Who is affected by Sweden's law phasing out permanent residency?
It will not affect you if you already have permanent residency and it will not affect you if you are in Sweden on a work permit. We explain who is threatened by Sweden's new law abolishing permanent residency, and who is not.
Sweden aims for 2027 launch of more flexible work permit rules
The Swedish government is finally moving forward with an EU directive that will make life easier for work permit holders who want to change their job or lose their job – news that many readers have been waiting for.
Sweden tightens residency rules, but opposition's challenge delays child detention bill
Swedish lawmakers just approved a new good conduct requirement for residency permits. But another bill hit a stumbling block when the opposition mounted a challenge.
Swedish parliament votes to revoke residency permits over 'poor conduct'
The Swedish parliament voted in favour of a proposal to empower the Migration Agency to deny or revoke residency permits in the case where the applicant or holder demonstrates a "flawed way of life".
KEY POINTS: How a new law eases permit rules for researchers and PhDs in Sweden
New rules which aim to simplify residency rules for foreign researchers and PhD students, but limit how much paid work they can do, came into force on June 11th. Here are the main points.
Swedish parliament approves bill to abolish future permanent residency for refugees
The Swedish parliament voted through a bill to abolish permanent residency for many future applicants – but some groups, including work permit holders, will still be able to receive permanent residency.
When will Sweden next raise the work permit salary threshold?
Sweden's work permit salary threshold is as of June 1st set at 90 percent of the most recent median salary. But the threshold is about to increase again in just a week.
What Sweden's new higher salary threshold means for work permit applicants
It's taken them more than two years, but Sweden's government has finally published the list of jobs that will be exempt from the new higher minimum salary for a work permit which comes into force on June 1st. Here's what you need to know.
Sweden opens new residence permit paths for Ukrainians
Ukrainians in Sweden under the Temporary Protection Directive will soon be able to apply for a different type of residence permit without leaving Sweden.
Sweden exempts 27 jobs from higher work permit salary threshold
Sweden's government has decided to exempt only 27 professions from the new higher salary threshold for a work permit, with business groups complaining the list was less generous than expected and would make Sweden poorer.
UPDATED: What laws could Sweden's opposition block after collapse of pairing?
With the collapse of the Swedish parliament's pairing system, the opposition would, if it really wanted, have a real chance of blocking or amending the migration laws the government wants to pass before the election. But it's unclear how willing it is to do this.
Sweden Democrats join U-turn on letting to-be-deported teenagers stay in Sweden
The Sweden Democrats would be willing to allow young people who have already received deportation orders the chance to remain in Sweden, after the Moderate Party shifted on the issue.
Checklist: How to move to Sweden as an American
If American politics has you thinking of leaving the US – or indeed if you want to move to Sweden for love, work, adventure or any other reason – there are some hurdles to overcome first. Here's a look at the various routes available to US citizens.
Swedish Migration Minister wants law to help teens already ordered to leave
Swedish Migration Minister Johan Forssell has said that he hopes a soon-to-be-announced "safety clause" to reduce teen deportations will help young adults who have already received a deportation order as well as those awaiting a decision.
EXPLAINED: What do you need to do to retire to Sweden?
Although Sweden may be a less popular retirement destination than other European countries like Spain or Portugal, there are many pensioners who plan on retiring in the Nordic country. What are the rules for foreigners?
Sweden's legal watchdog slams draft bill abolishing PR for refugees
Sweden's legal watchdog has sharply criticised a government bill that would abolish permanent residency for refugees and introduce other measures to tighten Swedish migration law to the strictest level allowable under the EU's law.
Teenager makes round-trip to Mexico to avoid being deported from Sweden
Paola Claudio and her family did everything they could to plan ahead with the Migration Agency so that Paola's studies wouldn't be interrupted. But despite their best efforts, she got a last-minute order to leave the country – just in time for exams.
'Unfair': High-skilled workers in Sweden hit by degrading of LTR
When Migration Minister Johan Forssell announced that Sweden was pushing ahead with phasing out permanent residency, he framed it as targeting asylum migration. But the changes will also affect some Long-Term Resident (LTR) applicants, many of them skilled workers.
PhD student refused Swedish permit and told to apply from abroad despite son's disability
Anna Metreveli, a Russian PhD student in sociolinguistics, had her application to switch to a new residence permit rejected on the grounds that she did not leave Sweden to reapply, which has left her education and her son's right to specialised education and healthcare in the country up in the air.
Sweden rights groups blast 'honest living' criteria for migrants
Sweden's government has faced growing criticism over its plans to require migrants to adhere to "honest living", with rights groups and legal experts saying the proposed measure is discriminatory.
UPDATED: When is Sweden's parliament set to vote on new migration laws?
Sweden's government is currently racing to get some of the most important laws in its "paradigm shift on migration" passed by parliament before September's election. Here are the dates when key votes are scheduled.
Swedish businesses call for work permit exemption list 'as soon as possible'
Business groups have called on Sweden's government to decide on the jobs exempted from the new minimum salary for work permits "as soon as possible", warning that the continuing uncertainty makes it hard to recruit, hampering expansion plans.
Your questions answered on Sweden's proposed permanent residency changes
The Local Sweden's editorial team held a live Q&A with members about Sweden's proposed changes to permanent residency status. We've pulled out some of the key questions and our team's responses.
