Sweden Proposes Stricter Family Immigration Rules

The Swedish government is advocating for more stringent family immigration regulations, as articulated during a recent briefing by Migration Minister Johan Forssell. Proposed changes will require individuals seeking to sponsor family members for residency to have lived in Sweden for a minimum of two years. This measure is aimed at aligning Sweden's immigration thresholds with EU minimum standards, ensuring that family reunification does not exceed the necessary quotas dictated by European regulations.

In addition to the residency requirement, the proposed reforms call for enhanced financial support criteria, which will now be assessed during both the initial application process and renewals of residency permits. The scope of family members eligible for permits will be limited, especially in instances involving individuals who wish to marry or cohabit with residents already granted permits. Furthermore, the plan emphasizes that children's residency permits will require their parent in Sweden to hold legal guardianship.

According to the investigation spearheaded by Ingrid Utne, the revised criteria aim to broaden grounds for denying residency permits, especially for applicants with a history of domestic violence or severe abuse towards family members. The Tidö parties, proponents of the tighter immigration framework, previously noted a drop in family-related residency permits to 6,250—an all-time low since 1985. Forssell has expressed that further immigration reforms are anticipated shortly.