Sweden moves to withdraw residence, work permits
The Swedish Government on Monday decided that the Swedish Migration Agency will take measures to strengthen work on residence and work permit withdrawal.
The aim is to ensure that the system of regulated immigration is not abused.
Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard notes “For the sake of the system’s legitimacy, it’s important that it be made difficult to abuse it and that residence and work permits are withdrawn when there are grounds for doing so.
“The Government has therefore given the Swedish Migration Agency the mandate to take measures that are permissible within the scope of the existing rules and regulations.”
Under the mandate, the Swedish Migration Agency will develop procedures and create a clear division of responsibility regarding the work on withdrawal of residence and work permits.
The agency will further this work by withdrawing residence permits for higher education studies when there are indications that such permits are being abused.
Moreover, the agency will take suitable measures to strengthen work on withdrawal of permits.
“The work being initiated today is an important first step towards responsible migration policy,” says Sweden Democrats Deputy Party Leader Henrik Vinge.
The mandate is based on an agreement between the Sweden Democrats, the Moderate Party, the Christian Democrats and the Liberal Party.
Under the mandate, the Swedish Migration Agency will also analyse whether automated systems and other administrative support can be used to a greater extent.
Among other things, this will reveal indications that a permit should be withdrawn and facilitate more effective use of information from the Swedish Tax Agency.
In addition, the Swedish Migration Agency will analyse the possibility of introducing new methods for regular follow-up of granted residence permits and their withdrawal when necessary.
The mandate covers all types of residence permit, regardless of the grounds on which they have been granted, and will be carried out without negatively impacting their processing times.
A written report is due to be presented to the Ministry of Justice no later than 30 June 2023.
Swedish Government
