You are waiting for a decision Activities for those applying for international protection (asylum)You are waiting for a decision Activities for those applying for international protection (asylum)
If you are applying for international protection (asylum), you can participate in various activities to have a meaningful everyday life in Sweden until you receive a final decision on your application.
The Swedish Migration Agency organises a mandatory social introduction. There are also many voluntary activities to choose from. The offerings may vary, depending on where you live.
Mandatory social introduction
Anyone aged 16 and older who applies for international protection (asylum) in Sweden must participate in the Swedish Migration Agency’s social introduction. The social introduction is mandatory, which means that you cannot choose to refuse to participate.
The social introduction is usually given verbally in a group, in a language that you understand. The content of the introduction is intended to help you understand the asylum process and Swedish society. The social introduction lasts for two days.
When it is time for you to participate in the social introduction, the Swedish Migration Agency will send you a notification. If you become ill or are unable to attend the introduction for any other reason, you must notify us.
Information for children under the age of 16
Children under the age of 16 are not required to participate in the social introduction. Instead, the Swedish Migration Agency has produced written information that is more suitable for children. This information covers such subjects as what happens when you apply for asylum and what rights children have in Sweden.
Many non-profit organisations and community groups, in collaboration with the Swedish Migration Agency, organise activities for those who have applied for international protection. There is more information about available activities at the Swedish Migration Agency's Reception and Return Centres. All activities are fee. To find out what activities are taking place in your area you can contact your Unit for Reception.
Some of the organised activities are part of Sweden’s Early Action for Asylum Seekers (TIA) programme. If you want to participate in an activity arranged through the Early Action for Asylum Seekers programme, you should contact a study association, folk high school or non-profit organisation in the area where you live. To participate, you need to be able to present your application card.
Compensation for travel to activities
If the activity in which you participate is part of the Early Action for Asylum Seekers programme, in some cases the Swedish Migration Agency may pay compensation for your travel by public transport to the activity. Ask the person arranging the activity whether it is part of the Early Action for Asylum Seekers programme. You can get compensation for your travel if you are at least 18 years of age and are waiting for a first decision about your application.
To get compensation for the cost of travelling to these activities, the distance between your home and the activity must be at least three kilometres. If the distance is less than three kilometres, you may still be reimbursed for a shorter journey by public transport. For example, this applies if you cannot walk to the activity because you have a disability or need to bring young children with you.
If you stop participating in an activity, you will no longer be entitled to travel compensation. In that case, you need to notify the arranger of the activity and your Unit for Reception that you have stopped participating.
If you are ill or have other obstacles that make it temporarily impossible for you to attend the activity, you must notify the arranger of the activity.
If you have any questions about compensation for your travel expenses, please contact your Unit for Reception.
Digital training and information
On the internet there are many programmes for learning Swedish on your own. You can find links to various programmes on the website informationsverige.se. Most of the programmes require internet access. All of them are free of charge.
“Digitala jag” ("Digital me") is an online course for people who want to become more confident using digital services in their everyday life, for example in contact with various authorities. The course is free and available in several languages.
New rules on immigration due to family ties come into force today. These include stricter requirements for people in Sweden whom family members wish to join and an increase in the amount required to meet the maintenance requirement. At the same time, young adults will have greater opportunities to stay with their parents in Sweden and a temporary opportunity to apply for another type of permit without leaving Sweden.
A new Reception Act comes into force on 1 October. It replaces the Act on Reception of Asylum Seekers (LMA) and introduces changes for people who apply for protection in Sweden. If you have applied for international protection (asylum), the new rules will affect, among other things, your daily allowance, where you are allowed to stay and how often you need to be in contact with the Swedish Migration Agency. If you need daily allowance after 1 October, you must reapply for it.
The Swedish Migration Agency has a new logo. On 24 September, the new logo will replace the old logo on the Agency’s website. The new logo will be rolled out gradually across all digital services and communications.
All LMA cards for asylum seekers must be replaced by application cards at the latest by 1 October 2026. If you have an LMA card, this means that you need to exchange it for an application card.
From 12 July, as a general rule, permanent residence permits will no longer be granted. Consequently, some people with temporary residence permits may apply for Swedish citizenship without having a permanent residence permit.
Following changes to the law, it is no longer possible for people who have a permit on the grounds of protection to be granted a permanent residence permit (PUT).
On 12 June 2026, the EU's Pact on migration and asylum is introduced. Among other things, this means that the EU will have common rules about how migrants will be controlled at the border, and what the procedure is when somebody applies for international protection (asylum).
The EU Reintegration Programme (EURP) provides support for people returning to their country of origin after their application for asylum has been rejected or when they no longer have the right to remain in the EU. The levels of assistance available under the programme are now being revised.