Migration and asylum policy

Swedish migration policy covers refugee and immigration policy, return policy, support for repatriation and the policy area dealing with the connection between migration and development. It also includes cooperation at the international level on these issues.

Migration and asylum policy is by nature a cross-border issue. People move from one country to another in the world. Some are forced to flee because of persecution. Others move for economic and social reasons, and may do so to start a family, work or study in another country. They may also move to another country in the hope of finding better prospects for the future. Migration often has a major impact on the development of both countries of origin and countries of destination.

The objective is to guarantee a long-term sustainable migration policy that, within the framework of regulated immigration, safeguards the right of asylum, facilitates cross-border mobility, promotes a needs-based labour immigration, supports the development impacts of migration and deepens European and international cooperation.

Sweden should have a humane refugee policy and be a place of refuge for people fleeing from persecution and oppression. The possibility of seeking asylum must be safeguarded and the trend in Europe to close more borders must be opposed. However, migration policy in Sweden and in the world must be more than just asylum policy.

Sweden will take its share of the responsibility for the international protection of refugees, but if Sweden has to shoulder a disproportionate share of the responsibility for refugee situations around the world in relation to comparable countries, this will eventually raise questions about the sustainability of our asylum system. All EU Member States must share the responsibility for offering protection for refugees. This is why common rules for the countries in the EU are one of the Government's main objectives in the area of migration.

Sweden has created a flexible and effective system for labour migration. It is a demand-driven system that makes it easier for people to come to work in Sweden and for employers to recruit labour from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland. An employer who is not able to meet his or her labour needs through recruitment in Sweden, other EU/EEA countries or Switzerland is able to recruit persons of all skills levels if certain fundamental conditions, including salary and other employment conditions, are fulfilled. The new rules for labour migration entered into force 15 December 2008.