Protection status

Sweden has ratified the UN Declaration on Refugees and incorporated it into the Swedish Aliens Act. This convention gives refugees the right to a legal declaration which proves their status. Furthermore, since 1 January 2010 Sweden has amended the Aliens Act to fulfill the requirements of the EU's Qualifications Directive. Everyone who is granted a residence permit based on grounds of protection is now given the right to a status declaration.

Refugee status declaration

A person who, according to Swedish law, is considered a refugee is granted refugee status declaration. This is an international status declaration based on both the Geneva Convention and the EU´s Qualifications Directive.

Subsidiary protection status declaration

A person who, according to Swedish law, is considered eligible for subsidiary protection will be granted a subsidiary protection status declaration. This is an international status declaration based on the provisions in the EU´s Qualifications Directive.

Status declaration as a person otherwise in need of protection

A person who, according to Swedish law, is considered otherwise in need of protection will be granted a status declaration as a person otherwise in need of protection. This is a Swedish status declaration which is only valid in Sweden

Retroactive application

A person who has been granted a residence permit in Sweden, but who has not been granted status declaration, can at any time apply for a status declaration. This also applies to persons who have been granted a status declaration, but who want to have a subsidiary protection status declaration or a refugee status declaration.

You can apply for a status declaration by filling out the form "Application for status declaration", form no 158011 (this form is only available in Swedish.

Withdrawal of status declaration

A person´s status declaration can be withdrawn, for example if this person is no longer in need of protection. It is, however, required that the circumstances which led to the person receiving a certain protection status declaration are no longer valid, or have changed in a substantial and permanent way.

A person´s refugee status declaration can also be withdrawn if that person shows intent to make use of the protection his or her country of origin offers. For instance; by applying for a new national passport or by demanding that his or her old national passport is returned by the Swedish Migration Board.

A withdrawal of a status declaration does not necessarily affect a person´s residence permit. However, if that person has been issued a travel document, he or she must return it.

Appeal

A status declaration can be appealed separately from the decision regarding a residence permit. This means that a person who is granted a residence permit but who has not been given a status declaration, can appeal the status declaration decision.

Denna sida på Svenska »