Immigration Visas

As reported yesterday, today the Swedish Government ('Riksdag') debated and voted on bill 2020/21: SfU5 that was put forward by The Social Insurance Committee.

Confirming the decision, the Swedish Migration Agency ('Migrationsverket') detail that it will be called 'residence status', and will be available to obtain between 01 December 2020 and 30 September 2021.

The new residence status will be treated as any other residence permit, expiring after 5 years, where residents will be able to apply to renew it, or if they meet requirements, apply for permanent residence.

When applying, the agency suggest making the application online where it is easiest as the system will ask all questions required to ensure you get the application correct first time.

The Swedish Migration Agency will detail more information regarding the new status on their website in due course.

Today, 10 November 2020, the Swedish Government 'Riksdag' will onboard their supplementary provisions to the Article 50 Withdrawal Agreement that was initiated when the United Kingdom left the European Union.

The main supplementary provision is a new visa for British Expats who are legally residing in Sweden by the last day of the transition period. British people (who don't already have residence status) would be able to apply to the Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) for the new visa for a period of 10 months from 01 December 2020.

Once granted, the visa will enable the holder to continue to travel freely within the EU without visas.

The Riksdag are poised to confirm and accept the provisions in their vote tomorrow (11/11/20) on the recommendation from The Social Insurance Committee.

The European Commission has presented plans for faster asylum procedures at the external borders, more deportations and the appointment of a "repatriation coordinator".

In case of high refugee numbers, all member states are to be obliged to show "solidarity" with the countries of arrival - be it through the reception of refugees or through assistance with deportations. At the same time, the Commission is planning more legal possibilities for immigration.

Many tech companies have spoken out against Trump's executive order signed on Monday, barring foreigners to seek employment in the United States. Amazon and Facebook both have released statements, with Amazon stating that the ban will "preventing high skilled professionals from entering the country and contributing to America's economic recovery puts American's global competitiveness at risk," so an Amazon spokesperson, and adding that the company will continue to "support efforts that will preserve their ability to strengthen our economy."

Microsoft President Brad Smith said that it was not the time to "cut our nation off from the world's talent or create uncertainty and anxiety" as "immigrants are contributing to this country at a time when we need them most."

Elon Musk took to Twitter where he replied to the New York Times, writing: "Very much disagree with this action. In my experience, these skillsets are net job creators. Visa reform makes sense, but this is too broad."

On Monday, Donald Trump signed an executive order to temporarily suspend new nonimmigrant work visas through 2020, barring foreigners to seek employment in the United States. The order freezes many different work visas, including H1-B (foreign workers in special occupations), H-2B (seasonal nonagricultural workers), J-1 (scholars and professors participating in cultural exchange programs) and L-1 (used to transfer existing employees to offices in the US).