New requirements regarding good conduct (vandel) for residence permits
From 13 July, stricter requirements regarding good conduct will apply to those applying for a residence permit in Sweden, for example on the grounds of employment or to live with someone.
The Swedish Migration Agency always checks whether an applicant for a residence permit has committed any offences. The new requirements mean that we will also assess whether you are law-abiding and honest, that is that you follow the rules, support yourself honestly and do not pose a threat to public order. We will check whether you have paid any debts and whether you have provided accurate information as the basis for social insurance, social assistance or other benefits. We will also check whether there is any information indicating that you have had contact with criminal networks, terrorist organisations or extremist organisations.
Isolated, minor incidents will normally not be grounds for rejecting a residence permit or for revoking one. However, repeated behaviour may be relevant to the assessment.
If a person who has, or is applying for, a residence permit behaves inappropriately, this is weighed against the grounds for granting that person a residence permit. The stronger the grounds for granting a residence permit, the more serious the misconduct must be for the person not to be granted the permit.