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In a bid to prevent people who pose a security risk from becoming Swedish citizens, authorities in this country will further tighten controls on those who apply for citizenship.
The decision has been confirmed through a press release from the government of Sweden, Schengen.News reports.
Upon the government’s request, the Swedish Migration Board will take further and forceful measures to ensure that requirements in citizenship cases are maintained.
Tightened Measures to Enhance National Security
The Swedish Migration Agency announced stricter measures in October of last year for those wishing to obtain citizenship in this country.
Among the measures are the detection of potential security threats, as well as the control and implementation of a system for the revocation of residence permits and tightened ID controls.
As part of measures to enhance national security, Sweden notified the European Commission for further extension of controls at all air, sea, and land borders, which were scheduled to end on November 12, 2024, until May 11, 2025.
Notable Increase in Rejection Rates
The Security Service of Sweden years ago said that the rejection rate of citizenship applications was approximately 100-180 cases per year for security reasons, while in 2023, the number was 756, and in 2024, 543.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell (M) said that Sweden is seeing a very sharp increase. He indicated that the new measures could require an applicant to appear in person for identification and that oral investigations can be conducted more often.
More Than 33,000 Granted Citizenships in 2024
Last year, 33,633 people acquired citizenship in Sweden, based on the figures provided by the Swedish Migration Agency.
The same source revealed that the top nationalities that obtained citizenship in 2024 were nationals of Syria (4,192) and Eritrea(3,466), followed by those from Afghanistan (2,519).
Source: https://schengen.news/sweden-to-implement-stricter-checks-on-citizenship-applicants/
