Sweden will tighten citizenship rules with applicants facing a longer, eight-year wait before they can apply, a minimum wage threshold and a test of their understanding of Swedish society, the centre-right government said on Monday.
Sweden is set to tighten its citizenship rules with applicants facing a tighter and longer, eight-year wait, wait before they can apply, a minimum wage threshold and a test of their understanding of Swedish society, the centre-right government said on Monday.
Successive governments have tightened the similar immigration policies since 2015, when at least around 160,000 asylum seekers sought refuge in the regime.
The minority government is betting that a more restrictive line on immigration will prove to be popular with voters in the coming parliamentary elections in September.
“These requirements are much tougher than the situation as it is today because currently there are basically no requirements (to become a citizen),” Migration Minister Johan Forssell told News agency Reuters.
The government indicated that the applicants for Swedish citizenship would have to live in the country for eight years, up from five, have a monthly income of more than 20,000 Swedish crowns ($2,225), and be able to pass a language and culture test.
“It seems reasonable that you should know whether Sweden is a monarchy or a republic, if you want to be a citizen,” Forssell said.
Anyone with a criminal record, either in Sweden or abroad will have to wait longer before they can apply. Someone who had served in prison for 15 years in Sweden, would have to wait 15 years before being able to apply for citizenship.
The anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, who back the minority coalition government, have blamed decades of what they say are failed immigration policies for a wave of gangland crime that has swept the country.
The new rules are expected to come into force on June 6. Last week the government said it will tighten its rules for asylum seekers.
(With inputs from agencies)
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