The requirements for becoming Swedish will be tightened this summer. Among other things, those who have applied for citizenship must be able to demonstrate that they can speak Swedish and have basic knowledge of Swedish society.
More details have now emerged regarding the upcoming citizenship tests, as the regulation was published today.
The date for the first exam, in social studies, is August 15. It will be held only in Stockholm and the number of test takers is limited to 1,000.
This means that only a fraction will be called in this first round. Of those who applied for citizenship, it is estimated that more than 34,000 will have to take the civics test, as they cannot prove their knowledge with grades or certificates. So why only 1,000?
Short on time
"This is because there is a shortage of time now that the legislation is in place, and we do not want to risk something going wrong. It has to be legally secure," Susanne Wadsborn Taube, deputy director general at the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR), told TT.
She points out that UHR must also have time to make adjustments for those who, for example, have a disability.
The Swedish Migration Agency is responsible for conducting the exams and for examining all citizenship cases.
Pay your own way
The 1,000 people invited to the test will have to pay for their own travel and accommodation to Stockholm. However, the first batch will not have to pay the test fee of 2,000 kronor.
In addition to tests in basic social studies, a test in the Swedish language will also be introduced from 1 October 2027.
In total, there are more than 100,000 people waiting for a decision on citizenship.
The Swedish Migration Agency directs potential applicants.
Applicants register with the Swedish Council for Higher Education (UHR).
UHR sends a summons.
The exam will take place on August 15. It is estimated to take approximately 60 minutes.
The results are expected to be ready in October. At that time, UHR will send the information to the applicants and to the Swedish Migration Agency.
Source: UHR
