Sweden opens new residence permit paths for Ukrainians

Ukrainians in Sweden covered by the Temporary Protection Directive will be able to apply for a different residence permit while remaining in Sweden starting June 11. Eligible applicants can change to permits for employment, self-employment, research, studies in higher education, or an EU Blue Card. Applications can be submitted from Sweden, similar to a previously available “track change” approach for former asylum seekers. If a new permit is granted, the current temporary protection residence permit will be revoked because two residence permits cannot be held at the same time. Applicants must check the conditions for the intended permit since rights differ between permit types. Family members may apply for permits based on family ties. Applicants must submit before the temporary protection permit expires; if processing continues after expiry, a new permit may still be granted if the application was filed in time.

"Ukrainians in this category will be able to change their permit to a residence permit for employment, self-employment, research, studies in higher education, or an EU Blue Card from June 11th. The key thing is that they may submit their application from Sweden, so it's similar to the “track change law” for former asylum seekers which was revoked a couple of years ago."

"The Migration Agency warns that if they are granted a new permit, their current residence permit will be revoked, as it is not possible to hold two residence permits at the same time. "It is important that you find out which conditions apply to the permit you intend to apply for before submitting your application. A residence permit under the Temporary Protection Directive and another type of residence permit do not grant the same rights. It is important that you are aware of the consequences that changing the basis of your residence permit may entail," it writes on its website."

"If an applicant is granted a new residence permit, their family members can apply for a permit based on family ties, if they do not wish to apply for their own permit. Applicants also need to make sure to apply for a new permit before their permit under the Temporary Protection Directive expires. If it expires while the Migration Agency is processing the new permit application, the new permit may still be granted as long as they submitted their application before their current permit expired."

"The EU's Temporary Protection Directive was activated in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine."

Read at www.thelocal.se