Sweden Immigration Assistance: Legal Aid & Visa Support Guide
Sweden welcomes millions of visitors and immigrants annually, offering various pathways for short-term visits, long-term stays, work opportunities, and humanitarian protection. Understanding Sweden’s immigration system is crucial for successful applications, whether you’re planning a brief tourist visit, seeking employment, or requiring asylum protection. This comprehensive guide provides essential information about visa requirements, work permits, asylum procedures, and legal support services to help navigate Sweden’s complex immigration landscape in 2025.
Short-Term Visits to Sweden: The Schengen Visa Explained
Sweden participates in the Schengen Agreement, which allows for visa-free travel between member countries for short stays. The Schengen visa system facilitates tourism, business visits, and family reunification for temporary periods while maintaining security controls across European borders.
Who Needs a Schengen Visa to Visit Sweden?
Citizens of non-EU countries planning to visit Sweden for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period typically need to apply for a Schengen visa. However, citizens or long-term residents of other Schengen countries are exempt from this requirement. Additionally, nationals from visa-exempt countries can enter without a visa but must still meet specific entry requirements. Starting in 2025, travellers from visa-exempt countries will be required to apply for ETIAS authorisation before visiting Sweden or any other Schengen country, introducing a new digital screening layer to the entry process.
The main destination rule applies when visiting multiple Schengen countries, requiring applicants to obtain their visa from the country that represents their primary destination of travel. This determination is based on the longest stay duration or the main purpose of the visit if stays are equal in length.
Visa-Free Travel: Entry Requirements for Exempt Travellers
Even travellers who don’t require a Schengen visa must satisfy specific entry conditions at Swedish borders. Border police conduct thorough checks to ensure compliance with Schengen regulations and Swedish immigration laws. These requirements apply universally, regardless of visa exemption status.
All visitors must present a passport valid for at least three months beyond their planned departure from the Schengen area. Additionally, travellers need a valid round-trip ticket demonstrating their intention to leave within the permitted 90-day period. Accommodation documentation, either through hotel bookings or written invitations from Swedish residents, must be provided to border authorities.
Financial, Insurance & Documentation Requirements
Sweden enforces strict financial requirements to ensure visitors can support themselves throughout their stay. Sweden requires that you have SEK 450 for each day of your visit to Sweden. In some cases, this amount may be lower, for example, for younger children, if you have paid for your meals and accommodation in advance, or if you will be staying with relatives or friends. This financial proof can be demonstrated through bank statements, employment certificates, or guarantor documentation from Swedish inviting parties.
Mandatory medical travel insurance must cover emergency medical care, urgent hospital treatment, and medical repatriation, and be valid across all Schengen countries. The insurance should provide coverage of at least €30,000 and remain valid throughout the entire stay period. This requirement protects both visitors and the Swedish healthcare system from unexpected medical costs.
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa to Sweden
The application process involves multiple steps and varies depending on your country of residence. Applications are frequently processed through VFS Global, an external service provider; however, some countries handle applications directly through their Swedish embassies or consulates. In certain locations, applications may be submitted through the embassies of other Schengen countries under representation agreements.
Applicants can submit their applications no more than six months before their planned visit, with processing typically taking 15 days. However, waiting times may vary significantly by country and season. For applications submitted at Swedish embassies in Tehran, Iran, or Havana, Cuba, applicants can use the Swedish Migration Agency’s e-service system for streamlined processing.
Representatives can submit applications on behalf of applicants who have applied for Schengen visas within the last five years and have provided fingerprints, provided they have the proper power of attorney documentation.
Understanding Visa Validity and Duration of Stay
Schengen visas permit a maximum stay of 90 days within any 180-day period, with the visa sticker indicating specific validity dates and permitted duration. The validity period is typically 15 days longer than the permitted stay to accommodate potential changes in travel dates. Visas can be issued for single or multiple entries, with multiple-entry visas potentially valid for up to five years depending on the applicant’s travel history and circumstances.
The 90/180-day rule requires careful calculation to avoid overstaying, as violations can result in entry bans and future visa complications. Travellers must track their cumulative stay across all Schengen countries to ensure compliance with this rolling time frame.
Schengen Visa Fees and Exemptions
Standard Schengen visa application fees are €90 for applicants aged 12 years or older and €45 for children aged 6-11 years. Children under 6 years are exempt from all fees. These fees are non-refundable, even if applications are rejected, covering administrative processing costs regardless of outcome.
Several fee waiver categories exist, including school and university students with accompanying teachers for educational purposes, researchers attending scientific conferences, and representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 or younger. Citizens of certain countries under EU Visa Facilitation Agreements, such as Albania, Armenia, and Ukraine, may qualify for reduced fees or complete exemptions.
Can You Work in Sweden with a Schengen Visa?
Working in Sweden with only a Schengen visa is strictly prohibited under normal circumstances. The visa is designed exclusively for tourism, business visits, and short-term activities that don’t constitute employment. Only in exceptional cases, with proper authorisation from Swedish authorities, might limited work activities be permitted.
Business visitors may conduct certain activities, such as attending meetings, conferences, or negotiations, but any hands-on work or employment requires a separate work permit. Violations of this restriction can result in visa cancellation, deportation, and future entry bans.
Visiting Sweden for More Than 90 Days: Visitor’s Residence Permit
Extended visits to Sweden exceeding the standard 90-day Schengen limit require a visitor’s residence permit, designed for longer-term stays that remain temporary in nature. This permit category accommodates various purposes while maintaining clear distinctions from immigration pathways.
Who Needs a Visitor’s Residence Permit for Sweden?
Citizens of non-EU countries planning to visit Sweden for 90 days or more, or those seeking to extend an ongoing visit beyond the 90-day threshold, must apply for a visitor’s residence permit. This requirement applies even if the visitor initially entered visa-free or with a standard Schengen visa.
The permit is specifically designed for temporary stays with clear departure intentions, distinguishing it from residence permits that lead to permanent settlement. Applicants must demonstrate that their visit serves legitimate purposes and that they intend to return to their home country upon completion of the visit.
Eligibility and Required Documentation
Visitor’s residence permit applications require comprehensive documentation proving the temporary nature of the visit and the applicant’s ability to support themselves. A valid passport with at least three months’ validity beyond the planned departure date is mandatory, along with detailed travel itineraries and accommodation arrangements.
Financial self-sufficiency remains crucial, as applicants must demonstrate access to at least SEK 450 per day for their entire stay. This can be proven through bank statements, employment certificates, pay slips, or guarantor documentation from Swedish sponsors. The financial requirement may be reduced if accommodation and meals are prepaid or if staying with Swedish residents.
All submitted documents must be in Swedish or English; certified translations are required for documents in other languages. This ensures proper review by Swedish authorities and prevents processing delays due to language barriers.
Length of Stay Based on Purpose of Visit
The permitted duration of visitors’ residence permits varies significantly based on the relationship to Swedish residents and the purpose of the visit. Close relatives, including siblings, children, and grandchildren, can typically receive permits for up to six months, with extensions to nine months possible under special circumstances.
Parents who are unable to work, such as pensioners visiting their children in Sweden, may qualify for permits of up to one year. However, friends or partners can only receive residence permits in exceptional cases, typically for a maximum of six months. Tourist visits are generally restricted to six-month periods.
Specific purposes allow for longer durations: medical treatment permits cover the estimated treatment period up to one year, while students or doctoral exchange students not admitted to Swedish institutions may receive permits for up to one year. Missionaries can obtain permits for up to three years, granted one year at a time. Monks or nuns may receive permits for up to two years initially, with potential eligibility for permanent residence after four years.
Prohibition on Work for Visitor Permit Holders
Visitor’s residence permits explicitly prohibit employment or settlement in Sweden. This restriction maintains the temporary nature of the stay and prevents circumvention of regular work permit procedures. Violations can result in permit revocation and deportation.
The work prohibition extends to all forms of employment, including freelance work, volunteer activities that constitute employment, and business activities. Visitors must rely entirely on their demonstrated financial resources throughout their stay.
How to Apply for a Visitor’s Residence Permit
The application process requires in-person appointments at Swedish embassies, consulates, or Migration Agency service centres, depending on the applicant’s location. Those outside Sweden must submit their applications at Swedish diplomatic missions in their country of residence, while those already in Sweden can submit their applications by post to the Swedish Migration Agency.
Online applications are available for applicants aged 18 and older who have a valid email address, a credit card (Visa or Mastercard), and document scanning capabilities. The digital process streamlines submissions but still requires subsequent in-person appointments for interviews and the presentation of passports.
Fees, Processing Time & Exemptions
Application fees are SEK 1,500 for adults and SEK 750 for children, non-refundable regardless of the outcome of the decision. Fee exemptions apply to family members of EU/EEA citizens (excluding Swedes), Swiss citizens and their families, Japanese citizens, scholarship students from approved Swedish or international organisations, and individuals unable to return home due to extraordinary circumstances.
Processing times vary by application location: 75% of first-time applications from outside Sweden are decided within 3-4 months, while those submitted from within Sweden may have slightly different timelines. Extension applications are generally processed within four months, though complex cases may require additional time.
Important Considerations for Ongoing Residence Applications
Applicants with pending applications for other types of residence permits, such as work permits or family reunification, should carefully consider the implications of simultaneously applying for visitor permits. The Swedish Migration Agency warns that submitting dual applications may negatively impact ongoing cases, potentially leading to the rejection of the primary application.
This policy prevents applicants from using visitor permits to remain in Sweden while awaiting decisions on other permit types, maintaining the integrity of different immigration pathways and their respective requirements.
Sweden Work Permits and Corporate Immigration
Sweden’s work permit system balances labour market needs with worker protection, offering multiple pathways for international talent while maintaining competitive conditions for local workers. Looking ahead to mid-year 2025, we can expect further changes. These include stricter reporting requirements to the Migration Agency, increased salary requirements, and a complete removal for changing the types of permits, for example, from Asylum to Work permits.
Overview of the Swedish Migration System for Workers
The Swedish Migration Agency serves as the central authority for processing all residence and work permit applications, operating under the Aliens Act, the Aliens Ordinance Act, and the Posting of Workers Act. This comprehensive legal framework ensures consistent application of immigration rules while protecting both foreign workers and the Swedish labour market.
Sweden’s approach emphasises integration rather than temporary labour solutions, with most work permits providing pathways to permanent residence and citizenship. This policy attracts high-quality international talent while encouraging long-term commitment to Swedish society and fostering economic contributions.
Work Rights for EU/EEA Citizens vs. Non-EU Nationals
Citizens of European Union and European Economic Area countries enjoy fundamental rights of free movement, allowing them to enter and work in Sweden without requiring work or residence permits. This preferential treatment reflects European integration principles and facilitates labour mobility across member states.
Non-EU/EEA citizens face more complex requirements, typically needing both a work permit and a residence permit to legally work in Sweden. Residence permits are automatically granted when work permits exceed three months duration, recognising that employment-based immigration often leads to longer-term settlement.
When Business Visitors Are Exempt from Work Permits
Certain business activities qualify for work permit exemptions, allowing for temporary work without the need for full permit procedures. Specialists within international corporations working temporarily in Sweden for less than one year may qualify for exemptions, particularly if their work duration falls under 90 days for non-EU visitors.
Internal training, practical experience, and skills development programs within international corporate groups allow for work for up to three months over a 12-month period without requiring work permits. Temporary contractors and equivalent positions may also qualify for exemptions, though specific conditions apply to each category.
Employer Obligations and Legal Compliance
Swedish employers bear significant responsibilities when hiring foreign nationals, beginning with verification of work authorisation before employment commences. Employers must maintain copies of authorisation documents for 12 months after employment termination and notify the Swedish Tax Agency by the 12th of the month following the start of employment.
The Migration Agency conducts compliance inspections to verify wage and insurance conditions, ensuring work commenced within four months of permit approval. Employment terms that are at least on par with Swedish collective agreements or customary industry standards must be maintained throughout the employment period. Non-compliance can result in permit revocation and serious penalties for employers.
Penalties for illegal employment include fines, imprisonment up to one year in severe cases, corporate fines, and special administrative fees. These strict enforcement measures protect both foreign workers from exploitation and the Swedish labour market from unfair competition.
General Work Permit Requirements and Conditions
Sweden’s work permit system operates without employer registration requirements, skills occupation lists, or annual quotas, emphasising flexibility and market-driven demand. However, applications for highly skilled professions receive expedited processing, reflecting Sweden’s prioritisation of skilled migration.
Work permit holders are not required to demonstrate Swedish language proficiency or undergo medical examinations, reducing barriers for international talent. The system focuses on employment conditions and employer compliance rather than individual worker characteristics beyond job qualifications.
Remote Work and Medical Insurance Rules
Work permits accommodate modern employment arrangements, including remote work and home-based employment. However, visitor permits explicitly prohibit work activities, preventing even emergency remote work arrangements for those on visitor status.
Medical insurance requirements are comprehensive, particularly for workers not registered in the Swedish population register. Employers typically must provide health, life, occupational injury, and pension insurance coverage, thereby ensuring worker protection and reducing the public sector’s burden.
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Permits for Sweden
The ICT permit category specifically serves multinational corporations transferring employees within their corporate structure, facilitating international business operations while maintaining labour market protections.
Who Qualifies for an ICT Permit in Sweden?
ICT permits are available to non-EU/EEA/Switzerland citizens transferred within the same corporate group to work in Sweden as managers, specialists, or trainees for periods exceeding 90 days. This category requires genuine intra-corporate transfers, rather than new hires, which distinguishes it from standard work permits.
Qualifying positions must demonstrate clear management responsibilities, specialised skills, or structured training programs that justify the international transfer. The corporate relationship must be genuine, with established business operations in both origin and destination countries.
Application Process, Conditions & Union Involvement
The ICT application process involves multiple stages, beginning with the employer’s registration of the job offer and its terms of employment. Relevant trade unions must provide opinions on the proposed employment conditions, ensuring compliance with Swedish labour standards and collective bargaining agreements.
Employers must offer compensation that meets or exceeds the levels specified in the collective bargaining agreement and comparable employment terms to Swedish workers. The employee must demonstrate financial self-sufficiency throughout the planned stay, either through salary levels or additional financial resources.
After completing preliminary steps, employees apply for the ICT permit and obtain residence permit cards at Swedish embassies or consulates before entering Sweden. This process ensures proper documentation before travel and employment commencement.
ICT Permit Duration, Fees, and Path to Permanent Residency
ICT permits are valid for up to three years for managers and specialists, or one year for trainees, with durations not exceeding the specific assignment period. The application fee is SEK 2,000, significantly lower than the standard work permit fee, reflecting the streamlined process for established corporate relationships.
Processing time is legally limited to 90 days from the Migration Agency, though preliminary steps including union consultations, can add several months to the overall timeline. This predictable timeline helps corporations plan international assignments effectively.
ICT permit holders can qualify for permanent residence if they maintain work permits for a total of four years over the preceding seven years, providing a clear pathway to long-term settlement for successful international transferees.
Hiring New Employees from Abroad: Swedish Work Permits
Sweden’s standard work permit process strikes a balance between labour market testing and efficient processing for the international talent needed, ensuring fair opportunities for both domestic and foreign workers.
Labour Market Testing and Job Advertising Requirements
While Sweden doesn’t mandate explicit labour market testing, employers generally must advertise positions for at least 10 days across Sweden, EU/EEA countries, and Switzerland. This requirement ensures domestic workers have opportunities to compete for available positions before international recruitment.
The advertising period allows Swedish and European workers to apply for positions, maintaining labour market priority for EU/EEA citizens while enabling international recruitment when local talent is insufficient. Employers must document their recruitment efforts as part of the work permit application process.
Application Categories and Processing Times
Work permit applications are categorised for processing efficiency: Category A covers highly qualified positions processed within 30 days, Category B includes special rules like ICT permits processed within 90 days, and Categories C/D encompass other applications processed within four months.
These processing timeframes exclude preliminary requirements, such as job advertising and union opinion periods, which can significantly extend overall timelines. Applications for highly qualified positions receive priority processing, reflecting Sweden’s emphasis on attracting skilled international talent.
Work Permit Duration, Fees, and Extensions
Initial work permits can be granted for up to two years and are renewable, providing stability for both workers and employers. The standard application fee is SEK 2,200; however, Japanese citizens are exempt from fees under bilateral agreements.
Extensions follow similar application procedures but may benefit from established employment relationships and a proven track record of compliance with permit conditions. Continuous employment and employer compliance facilitate extension approvals, supporting long-term international workers.
Family Members and Dependant Rights
Family members of work permit holders, including spouses, cohabiting partners, registered partners, and unmarried children under 21, can also receive residence permits for the same duration as the primary applicant. Older children may qualify under special circumstances involving dependency or education needs.
Spouses and partners typically receive labour market access if the main work permit exceeds six months, facilitating family integration and economic contribution. This policy promotes family unity while maximising economic benefits from international migration.
Path to Permanent Residence for Workers
Permanent residence becomes available after holding work permits for a total of four years over the preceding seven years, providing a clear timeline for long-term settlement. Applicants must demonstrate financial self-sufficiency and maintain an orderly lifestyle, including undergoing a criminal background review.
This pathway encourages a long-term commitment to Sweden while ensuring successful integration before granting permanent status. The four-year requirement strikes a balance between accessibility and integration objectives, supporting both individual success and social cohesion.
Asylum and Refugee Protection in Sweden
Sweden’s asylum system offers comprehensive protection to individuals fleeing persecution, war, and other serious threats, operating within European Union frameworks while upholding humanitarian traditions.
Overview of the Swedish Asylum System
The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) serves as the central authority responsible for managing asylum applications, from initial registration through to final decisions and integration support. This centralised approach ensures the consistent application of protection standards and efficient resource allocation.
Sweden’s asylum system operates within EU frameworks, including the Dublin Convention and the EURODAC fingerprint system, which determines responsibility for processing applications and prevents multiple claims across member states.
Who Can Apply for Asylum in Sweden?
Sweden recognises several protection categories beyond the traditional refugee definition. Refugees are individuals fleeing persecution based on race, nationality, religion, social group, or political opinion, with Sweden additionally recognising sexual orientation as grounds for protection.
Persons in need of protection include those fleeing capital punishment, torture, or requiring protection due to war or environmental disasters. This broader definition reflects Sweden’s humanitarian approach and recognition of contemporary protection needs that extend beyond traditional grounds for persecution.
How the Dublin Regulation and SIS Affect Asylum Seekers
The Dublin Convention determines which EU member state bears responsibility for examining asylum applications, typically the first country of entry or where previous applications were filed. EURODAC fingerprint database records help identify prior EU entries and asylum claims.
The Schengen Information System maintains records of individuals who have been previously expelled or deemed security risks, which can affect entry and asylum possibilities. These systems coordinate European responses while occasionally creating complications for asylum seekers with complex travel histories.
Step-by-Step Asylum Application Process
Asylum seekers must report to the nearest Migration Agency office as soon as possible upon arrival in Sweden. Initial procedures include identity documentation, fingerprinting, and photography, with language testing to help establish nationality when documentation is unavailable.
Applicants receive comprehensive information about asylum regulations, the Dublin Convention, daily allowances, healthcare access, and legal support. Medical check-ups are provided at the expense of the Migration Agency, and temporary LMA identity cards facilitate access to these services.
Complex cases result in the appointment of legal representation at government expense. The Migration Agency investigates applicant backgrounds through international organisations, such as the UNHCR and the Red Cross, but cannot contact home country governments, thereby protecting applicants from potential retaliation.
Legal Support and Identity Verification
Proving identity significantly improves application prospects and processing speed. Valid passports and other official documents help establish identity, nationality, and travel routes, while lack of documentation can complicate but doesn’t necessarily prevent positive asylum decisions.
Asylum interviews offer applicants the opportunity to explain their protection needs and the reasons for fleeing their countries. Legal representatives help prepare for interviews and navigate complex procedures, particularly important for trauma survivors and vulnerable populations.
Living Conditions and Support for Asylum Seekers
Sweden provides comprehensive support systems for asylum seekers, ensuring that their basic needs are met while their applications are processed and integration opportunities are available for those who are likely to remain.
Housing, Daily Allowances, and Basic Needs Support
The Migration Agency organises accommodation in reception centres, typically self-catering apartments that provide privacy and autonomy. Alternatively, asylum seekers can arrange their own accommodation (EBO) with family, friends, or other contacts, granting complete freedom of movement within Sweden.
Daily allowances support asylum seekers who have no other means of support, covering essentials such as clothing, medical expenses, and leisure activities. Rates are SEK 71 per day for single adults, SEK 61 per person for couples, and SEK 37-50 per person for children, with reduced rates when meals are included in accommodation.
Special one-time allowances address specific needs, such as winter clothing or infant supplies, recognising that basic daily allowances may not cover all essential expenses, particularly those related to seasonal or life-event requirements.
Healthcare Access and Services for Asylum Seekers
Adult asylum seekers receive emergency medical and dental care with modest fees of SEK 50 per visit or prescription and SEK 40 for medical transportation. Costs exceeding SEK 400 within six months can be compensated by the Migration Agency, preventing financial barriers to essential healthcare.
Children of asylum seekers receive completely free medical and dental care, recognising their vulnerability and ensuring health needs don’t compromise development. Pregnant asylum seekers receive free maternity care, abortion services, and contraceptive advice, supporting reproductive health and family planning.
Even Ukrainian refugees not registered with the Swedish Migration Agency are entitled to urgent care or treatment, reflecting special protection measures for conflict-displaced populations.
Education and Employment During Asylum Process
Asylum seekers whose applications are estimated to take longer than four months are eligible for work permit exemptions (AT-UND), allowing them to work while maintaining their asylum seeker status. However, employment doesn’t influence asylum decision outcomes, which are based solely on protection needs.
Working while receiving daily allowances constitutes a criminal offence, with the Migration Agency potentially reporting violations to the police and demanding repayment. This policy prevents double benefits and maintains the integrity of the system.
Children and young asylum seekers can access education on equal terms with Swedish children, with municipalities responsible for providing school places. The Migration Agency funds this education, ensuring protection of children’s rights regardless of legal status.
Rights and Restrictions While Awaiting a Decision
Asylum seekers must respect all Swedish laws and regulations; violations may affect their applications and result in criminal consequences. Those receiving daily allowances must participate in organised Migration Agency activities, supporting integration and structure during waiting periods.
Any employment income must be reported to the Migration Agency to adjust benefits and comply with legal requirements. Higher education access is not available to asylum seekers, though basic education and vocational training opportunities may be provided.
Outcomes, Appeals, and Rejected Asylum Applications
Asylum decisions have a significant impact on individuals’ futures, with various outcomes possible, ranging from permanent protection to deportation orders and complex appeal processes.
What Happens After an Asylum Decision in Sweden?
Positive asylum decisions can result in either Permanent Residence Permits (PUT) or Temporary Protection/Residence Permits (TUT). TUT permits are typically granted for a maximum of two-year periods with possible extensions, while PUT provides indefinite residence rights.
Negative decisions include deportation orders requiring departure from Sweden. Affected individuals can appeal to Migration Courts, with further appeals to Migration Courts of Appeal requiring special permission. Appeal processes can significantly extend the overall case duration.
Individuals who don’t depart after negative decisions become illegally present, losing status, rights, and access to social services. This situation creates vulnerabilities and may complicate future immigration opportunities.
Temporary vs. Permanent Protection Status
Temporary protection acknowledges the protection needs that may change over time, such as in situations of armed conflict that may resolve. Temporary permit holders can apply for extensions as circumstances warrant, which may lead to permanent status.
Permanent residence offers indefinite protection and full integration opportunities, including eventual eligibility for citizenship. The distinction between temporary and permanent status reflects different protection needs and long-term integration prospects.
Detention, Deportation, and Legal Appeals
Asylum seekers over 18 may be detained in special centres when identity is unclear, investigations are needed, or deportation is imminent. Children under 18 cannot be detained for more than three days, or six in extreme circumstances, reflecting child protection principles.
Detained individuals are entitled to legal representation after three days, ensuring their rights to due process and appeal opportunities. Detention conditions and durations are subject to regular review and judicial oversight.
Family Life, Marriage, and Legal Status During the Asylum Period
Asylum seekers can marry in Sweden, though marriage doesn’t influence asylum decisions. Rejected asylum seekers typically must return to their home countries and apply for family reunification residence permits through Swedish diplomatic missions.
Family relationships may provide alternative grounds for protection or residence opportunities, although these require separate applications and don’t guarantee asylum approval. Integration activities and community connections can support both asylum applications and future residence permit applications.
Legal Aid and Support for Asylum Seekers in Sweden
Comprehensive support networks assist asylum seekers through complex legal processes and integration challenges, involving government agencies, international organisations, and civil society groups.
Key NGOs and Support Organisations
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) provides expertise and advocacy for the protection of refugees. Amnesty International provides legal support and advocates for human rights. The Swedish Refugee Advice Centre provides specialised legal assistance and information on country of origin.
The Red Cross provides humanitarian support and family tracing services. Save the Children focuses on child-specific protection needs and services. These organisations complement government services and provide independent advocacy for the rights of asylum seekers.
Free Legal Assistance and Country of Origin Information
Legal aid is available for complex asylum cases, with the Migration Agency appointing lawyers at government expense when needed. These services ensure fair hearings and proper legal representation regardless of financial means.
Country of origin information helps establish credibility and identify protection needs, drawing on human rights reports, diplomatic sources, and expert testimony. Accurate information is crucial for informed asylum decision-making and effective appeal preparation.
Support for Vulnerable Groups (LGBTQI, Children, Elderly)
RFSL provides specialised support for LGBTQI asylum seekers, addressing unique persecution experiences and protection needs. These services include counselling, legal support, and community connection opportunities.
Children receive additional protections including guardian appointments, specialised interview procedures, and educational support. Elderly asylum seekers may receive healthcare assistance and accommodations that address their age-related needs.
Support organisations work closely with the Migration Agency to ensure vulnerable individuals receive appropriate services and protection throughout the asylum process, recognising that standard procedures may not adequately address all protection needs.