The Swedish government has introduced a bill to prevent rejected asylum seekers from re-applying without leaving the country first. If approved, the law aims to reduce the number of individuals staying in Sweden illegally.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell explained that the proposal seeks to close a loophole allowing rejected applicants to evade deportation and reapply after a four-year statute of limitations. Currently, individuals can remain hidden in Sweden and submit a new application after the time expires, even if their circumstances remain unchanged.
Under the new legislation, failed asylum seekers must leave Sweden before reapplying. Additionally, deportation orders would remain valid for five years instead of four. The bill also blocks rejected asylum seekers from applying for employment-based residence permits while still in the country.
According to Forssell, seven out of ten asylum applications in Sweden are rejected, but many fail to comply with deportation orders. In 2024, around 25% of new applications came from individuals whose previous cases had reached the statute of limitations.
The proposed law, supported by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, still needs parliamentary approval. If passed, it could take effect by April 2025.
Sweden, historically known for liberal asylum policies, has tightened immigration rules under its center-right government elected in 2022. This shift comes after decades of high immigration rates and growing public concern over migration’s impact.
