Forced Migration in the OIC Member Countries:
Policy Framework Adopted by Host Countries
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There are some exceptions to the permanent residency policy. In the 1990s the migration
court of appeals (then known as the Aliens Board) ruled that temporary residency could be
provided as an exception if Swedish authorities had reason to believe that the circumstances
driving the individual’s flight were likely to be temporary in nature.147 Most recently, the first
wave of Syrians, who arrived between 2011 and 2013, were granted temporary status.148 In
2013, the Agency determined that as the conflict had become protracted in nature, all Syrians
would be granted permanent residency.
Because recognized protection beneficiaries in Sweden are generally granted permanent
residence status (regardless of whether they are given subsidiary, humanitarian, or refugee
status), the social and economic rights afforded to them are the same as other permanent
residents and very similar to those granted to Swedish citizens. Permanent residents who
have registered with the social registry—a requirement—are granted access to mainstream
social welfare services (including social benefits, employment services, education, housing,
and healthcare).149 Supplemental or alternative services intended to support integration are
available for permanent residents who are also beneficiaries of international protection.150
Permanent residents and some temporary residents are allowed to apply for Swedish
citizenship after five years of residency in Sweden; individuals with refugee status may
naturalize after four years.151 Swedish citizenship conveys some additional political rights,
such as the right to vote in parliamentary elections.152 More significant differences exist
between the rights and status of asylum applicants—who do not have a formal residence
status in Sweden and are thus not registered in the social registry—and those of protection
beneficiaries and other permanent residents.
An evolving legal framework
The asylum crisis of 2015 called some central tenents of the Swedish approach to protection
into question and has driven substantial changes to certain core elements of the asylum
system. At the end of October 2015, the government outlined a broad plan of legislative and
regulatory changes intended both to help authorities cope with the rising flow of asylum
seekers and to reduce asylum flows by lowering the benefits offered to protection
beneficiaries. These changes mark a substantial departure from traditional Swedish policy
approaches to asylum, which have typically emphasized the welfare and inclusion of asylum
applicants and protection beneficiaries over migration management concerns.
In June 2016, the government adopted its most controversial measure, a law that suspends the
Aliens Act with regard to asylum claims for three years from the date it enters into force. The
147 Interview with Helene Hedebris, Legal Affairs Expert, Region South, Migrationsverket, April 15, 2016. In addition,
persons allowed to remain in Sweden because of difficulties enforcing their removal are to be granted temporary rather
than permanent residency. Aliens Act, Chapter 5(11-12)
148 The Local, “Sweden offers residency to all Syrian refugees,” updated September 3, 2013,
149 European Migration Network, Integration of beneficiaries of international/humanitarian protection in the labour market:
policies and good practices, (Brussels: European Commission, 2015,
150 See Section III below for a more detailed discussion of these services.
151 Migrationsverket, “Time in Sweden,” updated November 10, 2015,
152 Migrationsverket, “What does Swedish citizenship mean?” updated June 16, 2015,