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Isabellah competes for Sweden

Isabellah moved to Sweden and became a top Swedish athlete.
"I was born and grew up in a small rural village in western Kenya. When I was about twenty I came into contact with the running that would bring me all the way to Sweden. Through my interest in orienteering I met Lars, my husband and trainer."
 
"I got my Swedish citizenship in May 2009. It means a lot to me and it feels as if I have become more worth as a person. I feel safer and surer in life in general and, in particular, it feels good that the whole family has the same citizenship. It is much nicer and simpler to pass a border control with a Swedish passport than with a Kenyan one."
 
"I feel as if I am in 'heaven'. I feel happy and fortunate to have been given the chance to represent Sweden in my sport. Being able to run in the Swedish colours just feels wonderful."
 
Decisions were made in 26.621 cases in 2010, 84 per cent of them, i.e. 23.037, became Swedish citizens.

Facts


Anyone who is resident in Sweden can apply to be a Swedish citizen after a certain period of time. You can become a Swedish citizen through an application or a notification as well through birth, adoption or the marriage of your parents.

Read more about the rules that apply to Swedish citizenship. In the Swedish Migration Board's citizenship guide (only available in Swedish) you can test whether you fulfil the conditions for Swedish citizenship.

Swedish citizenship

In principle, foreign nationals who have permanent resident permits (PUT) and are registered as residents in Sweden have the same rights and obligations as Swedish citizens. However, there are some differences. Only Swedish citizens can vote in elections to the Riksdag (Swedish Parliament). Also, you cannot be elected to the Riksdag without Swedish citizenship.

The most tangible evidence of Swedish citizenship is the Swedish passport and the unconditional right that a Swedish citizen has to stay in Sweden.

Swedish citizenship cannot be revoked, but a citizen can renounce their own Swedish citizenship.

Sidan senast uppdaterad: 2012-01-11