Sweden Announces Stricter Asylum Rules

The Swedish government has unveiled a draft law aimed at curbing irregular stays by rejected asylum seekers.

The proposal, announced on Tuesday, would prevent individuals whose asylum applications have been denied from filing new applications without leaving the country.

Speaking at a press conference, Migration and Asylum Minister Johan Forssell stated that while more than 70% of asylum requests are rejected, "a significant number" of individuals remain in Sweden illegally.

To address this issue, the draft legislation proposes that rejected asylum decisions remain enforceable for five years from the date of the individual’s departure.

Additionally, those whose applications are denied would be barred from applying for work permits or other forms of residency while staying in Sweden.

The proposal, which requires parliamentary approval, is expected to come into effect by April 2025 if passed.

The center-right coalition government, supported by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, has been in power since 2022 and has prioritized stricter immigration policies.

Under current laws, rejected asylum applications and deportation orders expire after four years, regardless of whether the individual has left Sweden.

This allows rejected applicants to file new asylum claims after that period without needing to leave the country.

According to government data, 25% of asylum claims filed in 2023 were from individuals whose previous applications had been rejected over four years ago.

Sweden has long been a key destination for migrants, especially since the 1990s, welcoming individuals fleeing conflict from countries such as former Yugoslavia, Syria, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, and Iraq.

During the 2015 European migration crisis, Sweden received 160,000 asylum seekers, the highest number in the EU relative to its population.