The Swedish government has announced tougher immigration proposals to limit the ability of rejected asylum seekers to reapply without first leaving the country.
Under the new rules, rejected asylum seekers must leave Sweden before trying for acceptance again and they will have to wait five years before they can submit a new asylum claim.
Those whose applications are denied will be required to exit Sweden before submitting a new claim or they will not be allowed to make the claim.
Currently, a rejection decision expires after four years and individuals who fail to leave Sweden on time risk a re-entry ban of up to one year.
“These proposals will increase returns and reduce the number of unfounded asylum applications,” said Minister of Migration Johan Forssell, emphasising the government’s goal of tightening immigration control.
In addition to restricting reapplications, the centre-right government, backed by the Sweden Democrats (SD), said it aimed to scrap the “track change” system.
This loophole has allowed rejected asylum seekers to apply for work permits instead of leaving the country.
Forssell highlighted on X the importance of these measures, calling them “important steps to protect regulated immigration where those who are refused must return home”.
“Currently, seven out of 10 applicants for asylum are refused and they must therefore leave the country. At the same time, the short limitation period of just four years has led to many staying and submitting new applications.”
“The fact is that every fourth asylum application today comes from people who should have left Sweden,” he noted.
Det framväxande skuggsamhället är inhumant och innebär stora säkerhetsrisker för Sverige. Därför skärper vi nu både preskriptionstiden och återreseförbudet samt avskaffar spårbytet.
Viktiga steg för att värna den reglerade invandringen där den som får avslag ska återvända hem.
— Johan Forssell (@JohanForssell) December 17, 2024
The government, which came to power in 2022, has prioritised stricter immigration policies in response to a shift in public opinion.
Once celebrated for its progressive stance on immigration, Sweden has seen attitudes harden following a decade of record-setting migration rates within the European Union.
If approved by parliament, the proposed changes are set to take effect on April 1, 2025.
Sweden is not the only Nordic country tightening immigration policies — Denmark has also introduced measures to toughen asylum laws and adjust the pension system for “non-Western” migrants.
