Proposed Migration Policy Adjustments in Sweden

Key Proposed Measures

New Possibility for Certain Young People to Obtain Residence Permits
A proposal has been introduced to temporarily pause the assessment of certain deportation cases involving young individuals who arrived in Sweden as children together with their families.

As reported in the media, this issue concerns young people who may lose their right to remain in Sweden once they turn 18, as they are no longer eligible to hold residence permits as dependants of their parents.

Following the recent policy discussions, the Swedish Migration Agency has confirmed that it will not issue new rejection decisions for individuals under the age of 21 in these cases while legislative changes are being prepared.

The Government has indicated that it would allow residence permits to be granted in certain situations, particularly where young people have lived in Sweden for many years and are studying or otherwise established in the country.

It should be noted that the temporary pause primarily affects cases where no final deportation decision has yet been issued, while previously finalized decisions may remain enforceable under the current framework.

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Changes for Individuals Who Previously Switched from Asylum to Work Permits (Track change)
The Government is proposing changes that would allow individuals who previously transitioned from an asylum application to a work permit through the so-called “track change” procedure to apply for a new work permit from within Sweden. Under the current system, individuals in this category may in some cases be required to leave Sweden before submitting a new application

Lower Salary Threshold in Certain Shortage Occupations
The government has indicated that the salary threshold for work permits could be adjusted for certain shortage occupations, such as assistant nurses.
This would potentially allow employers in sectors experiencing labour shortages to recruit international workers under more flexible salary requirements.

Residence Status for Individuals Under the Temporary Protection Directive
Individuals who currently hold residence permits under the EU Temporary Protection Directive (primarily Ukrainian nationals) may be allowed to apply for study permits or work permits from within Sweden without first leaving the country.

Review of Proposal to Revoke Permanent Residence Permits
A previously discussed proposal to revoke certain permanent residence permits will not proceed before the upcoming election in September 2026. The relevant investigation is expected to be further reviewed before any legislative action is taken.

These proposals are part of ongoing efforts by the Swedish Government to address practical issues that have emerged following recent migration reforms and to adjust certain rules within the existing framework.

What This Means for Employers
If implemented, these measures may have several practical implications:

• Employees with family members may experience greater stability and continuity, as young individuals under 21 who are studying or otherwise established in Sweden may remain in the country. This could reduce potential disruptions for workforce planning and long-term employee retention.
• Employers in healthcare and other shortage sectors may benefit from increased flexibility regarding salary requirements for certain roles.
• Individuals currently residing in Sweden under temporary protection may gain a clearer pathway to transition to work or study permits.
• Employees who previously obtained work permits through the “track change” route may have improved options to apply for new permits without leaving Sweden.

Looking ahead

‍Following these developments, we will be hosting a webinar in June focusing on the new migration rules expected to be presented on 6 June. During this session, we will provide an overview of the changes and discuss their potential implications for employers and international employees in Sweden.

You and your team are very welcome to participate, and we also encourage you to share any specific topics or questions you would like us to address during the webinar.

Invitations to the webinar will be sent to recipients of this newsletter in due course.

Should you have any questions regarding these proposals or wish to discuss how they may impact your employees, please do not hesitate to contact our team at immigrationsweden@k2xborder.com.

This update is for informational purposes only, proper advice should be sought on a case by case basis.

For more information about the announcement, please follow this link to view the presentation slides from the Swedish government’s press conference

Should you have any questions regarding the proposed changes or wish to discuss how they may impact your employees’ long-term plans, please contact our team at

immigrationsweden@k2xborder.com