Maria Malmer Stenergard

An inquiry has been tasked with proposing measures to improve the prospects of attracting and retaining foreign doctoral students and researchers in Sweden. The aim is to strengthen Sweden’s competitiveness as a research and innovation nation. The inquiry will also review the regulatory framework for residence permits for studies, with the aim of counteracting abuse of study permits.

Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard received an inquiry report today entitled ‘New regulations on labour immigration, etc.’ The report contains a number of proposals that aim to make conditions for low-skilled labour immigration more stringent while promoting highly skilled labour immigration.

In a referral to the Council on Legislation, the Government proposes amending the legislation on Swedish citizenship. The proposals entail stricter requirements on acquisition of Swedish citizenship by notification and better protection for children and adults in vulnerable situations. 

The Government has decided that additional categories of people will be granted temporary protection in Sweden. This applies mainly to Ukrainian citizens who are already in Sweden legally but who have not yet received protection.

Yesterday evening, the Government received the alarming news that two Swedes were killed in a terrorist attack in Brussels. The attack appears to have been aimed at Sweden and Swedish interests. Our thoughts are with the deceased and their relatives.

The Government has decided to task an inquiry with reviewing Sweden’s regulatory framework on asylum to adjust it to the minimum level required under EU law. The aim is to ensure responsible and restrictive regulations.

The Government has tasked an inquiry chair with submitting proposals for more stringent requirements for Swedish citizenship. The aim is to enhance the status of citizenship and promote an inclusive society of empowered individuals with improved opportunities to actively participate in society.

The Government has adopted supplementary terms of reference for the Inquiry on reinforcing return operations. The aim is to improve the conditions for conducting effective return operations and reinforcing internal controls of aliens.

The Government has decided to appoint an inquiry to conduct a review of the entire regulatory framework on detention found in the Aliens Act with the view of making it more modern and appropriate.

The Government has decided to consult the Council on Legislation on proposals concerning stricter conditions for family member immigration in certain cases, and restricted possibilities to grant residence permits on humanitarian grounds.

The Government has tasked the Swedish Migration Agency with setting up return centres to house rejected asylum seekers. In these centres, the Migration Agency will actively work to motivate the people there to return voluntarily, and will provide advice, guidance and practical support.

The Government has received a report from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) based on a survey about how adult Ukrainian citizens with residence permits under the Temporary Protection Directive view their life in Sweden. In connection with this, Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard is today hosting a round-table discussions on the report’s conclusions.

The Government has decided to refer proposals to the Council on Legislation. Under these proposals, it would be possible to withdraw a residence permit if it can be assumed that the person will carry out state-sponsored corporate espionage or activities related to terrorism.

To enhance the value of Swedish citizenship, the Government considers that the requirements that must be met to become a Swedish citizen need to be more stringent. For this reason, on Friday 5 May, Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard convened a press briefing along with the Sweden Democrats group leader in the Riksdag, Linda Lindberg. At the briefing, they outlined what measures the Government intends to take to strengthen Swedish citizenship.

Today, Inquiry Chair and Judge Fredrik Fries presented his inquiry report to Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard. The Inquiry proposes introducing requirements of Swedish language skills and knowledge of Swedish society as conditions for being granted a permanent residence permit.

The memorandum ‘An increased maintenance requirement for labour immigration’ was today circulated for comment. In the memorandum, the Government proposes that to be granted a work permit, a labour migrant must have a wage amounting to at least 80 per cent of the median wage.

Today, the interim report of the inquiry En ny ordning för asylsökandes boende (A new system for asylum seekers' accommodation), SOU 2022:64, has been circulated for consultation.

The Government has decided to provide a grant of USD 75 000 to the United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) to conduct a survey. The survey targets adult Ukrainian citizens in Sweden who have been registered under the Temporary Protection Directive, and will include questions about their situation in Sweden.

At Thursday’s government meeting, the Government tasked the Swedish Migration Agency with making it easier for people with visa exemptions to show their original passport when applying for a temporary residence and work permit.

On 26–27 January, Minister for Justice Gunnar Strömmer and Minister for Migration Maria Malmer Stenergard will lead the first informal ministerial meeting of the Presidency in Sweden. The agenda includes EU migration policy, the fight against organised crime and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.