Sweden proposes that permanent residence permits be changed to temporary ones
LONDON
Sweden has proposed changes to its migration legislation in an attempt to change permanent residency to temporary, local media reported on Friday.
Migration Agency Director General Mikael Ribbenvik tells SVT Nyheter that “an investigation will investigate under what circumstances existing permanent residence permits can be converted into temporary residence permits.”
– This would be the first time this has happened in Sweden. We have not had this before, says Ribbenvik.
Currently, those with temporary residence permits can extend their permits if the Migration Agency finds that an applicant still meets the requirements before a new permit is granted.
Currently, around 300,000 people in Sweden have permanent residence permits and are allowed to stay in the country indefinitely without further checks or restrictions.
Ribbenvik stated that he understands that these people may be worried about the proposal.
The plan is to “investigate whether permanent residence permits can be changed to temporary ones, I would be concerned about that,” he warned.
The Sweden Democrats’ supported government’s plans to abolish permanent residence permits are another step towards immigration in the country.
Last month, human rights organizations criticized an agreement reached between the right-wing government and the Sweden Democrats, called the Tido Agreement, which allows the far-right Sweden Democrats to have a powerful influence on the design of new laws.
The agreement proposes drastic immigration measures and a reduction in the number of refugees coming to Sweden, from 5,000 per year to just 900.
It further calls for the permanent residence permit system to be abolished and for people who have not been integrated to be able to return.
Furthermore, Swedish citizenship requirements must also be tightened and the right to family reunification set to a minimum level at EU level.