If you are planning to immigrate to Sweden due to the fear of persecution in your home country, our lawyers can assist you. We will not only help you apply for asylum in Sweden but also guide you throughout the whole process. Please get in touch with our immigration lawyers in Sweden if you have any questions. They can answer your concerns effectively.
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Who can apply for asylum in Sweden?
Sweden accepts asylum applications from people who are subject to persecution from the authorities or other individuals in their home countries.
When can I submit the application for asylum in Sweden?
You can file the asylum application when you are at one of Sweden’s borders or AFTER entering the country. So, you cannot file the application before entering the country, as is the case with a regular visa or residence permit.
Here are the points where you can file an asylum application:
- with the Police at land border check points;
- with passport control in international airports;
- with ferry terminals.
What are the steps to get asylum in Sweden?
There are three steps for the Swedish asylum application process, including registration, interview, and decision. Below, you can also find a general step-by-step guide provided by our lawyers on how to apply for asylum in Sweden from outside:
Registration
- submit an asylum application to the Swedish Migration Agency with the help of our lawyers;
- migration Agency will determine whether your Swedish asylum application should be processed under the Dublin Regulation;
- while waiting for a decision, you can enjoy asylum-seeker status and get an LMA card;
- you might be eligible to work in Sweden if you have an AT-UND certificate as an asylum seeker;
Interview
- you will be required to participate in an interview with the Swedish Migration Agency explaining reasons for seeking asylum in Sweden;
- you must provide detailed information and relevant documents to support your Swedish asylum application;
- you could disclose specific needs, like a translator to help you during the interview;
Decision
- await a response from the Swedish Migration Agency about the result of your asylum application after your interview;
- the decision by the Migration Agency will be in the Swedish language; however, an oral interpretation may be available in your language;
- you should be ready to face the possible outcomes of the decision in the form of refugee recognition, residence permits in exceptional circumstances, or denial;
- if you are denied asylum in Sweden, you can appeal with the assistance of our lawyers. Besides offering practical assistance regarding appeals, our lawyers can also explain Sweden’s asylum process to you.
How does the asylum application procedure go when I enter Sweden?
The first point of contact you will encounter is usually the border Police. You can explain to the officers that you want to apply for asylum, they will hand you the application form and guide you to the nearest Migration Agency office, where you will have the document registered.
Are there differences if I apply for asylum while in the country?
If you are already in Sweden, you can go to one of the 35 offices of the National Government Service Centres in the country, as the Migration Agency’s physical offices will be gradually closed. Some of the cities in which these centers operate are Stockholm, Uppsala, Gothenburg, Boden, and Malmö.
There is also the option of filing your application online, considering the Migration Agency plans to rely mainly on offering digital services.
Can I obtain a residence permit if I apply for asylum in Sweden?
Yes, as Sweden is part of the United Nations’ Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. This means that you can obtain a Swedish residence permit, but only based on an individual assessment. Specifically, after you apply for asylum, your request will be thoroughly analyzed, and a decision will be rendered particular to your situation. If you get a positive response, you will be automatically granted a temporary residence permit.
Can I work in Sweden if I am a refugee?
Yes, you can work based on an AT-UND, which means “exception from the requirement for a work permit” and which is issued by the Migration Agency, provided that:
- you can prove your identity through a passport, birth certificate, or national ID;
- you are found in the Agency’s database as an asylum applicant;
- you were not denied asylum before.
Is there a specific timeframe in which an asylum application is processed?
Each case is treated individually, which means there is no standard waiting time. There are situations where it can take up to one year to receive a response.
Can I leave and enter the country while my application is processed?
No, as it can affect your application. It is important to note that during the time you apply for asylum and get an answer, you will be required to attend various meetings.
What is Sweden’s asylum acceptance rate?
Our lawyers have collected some general data about the asylum application acceptance rate in Sweden, which you can find below:
- In 2023, Sweden authorities received 12,491 applications from refugees;
- 2023 application figures marked a 25% decrease from 2022;
- Most of the asylum applicants were from Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq;
- In 2023, Sweden reduced its resettlement commitment to 900 from 5,000 in 2022.
Contact us if you are interested in knowing how to apply for asylum in Sweden from outside. Also, get full reports from our lawyers about Swedish asylum benefits, which you can enjoy after application acceptance.
