The good conduct requirement is intended to make it easier to revoke residence permits due to deficiencies in conduct and personal responsibility. According to the government, this means that more residence permits can be denied or revoked.
Following laws and regulations should go without saying. But it must also be expected that people live responsibly to the best of their ability and not harm our country, says Minister for Migration Johan Forssell (M).
In addition to criminal conduct, misconduct can involve a person not following laws and other regulations or decisions by authorities. It can also involve being a security threat or having unpaid debts.
Having debts
For example, if you neglect to pay your debts, do not follow decisions by Swedish authorities, commit benefit fraud or fraudulently obtain a Swedish residence permit - then you do not have the right to be here, says Forssell.
Other examples that are pointed out are working illegally or not paying fines. However, prostitution, substance abuse or begging are not covered. Statements alone should not constitute misconduct, but can be used to confirm a person's connections to violent or extremist organizations.
The good conduct requirement will apply retroactively. This means that it will cover all residence permits, not just those issued after the law comes into force. Previous misconduct can be included in the assessment, but not on its own; it must be considered together with actions that occur after the law comes into force.
"One hundred thousand"
The government also proposes that residence permits can be revoked in more situations than at present that do not involve criminal conduct. This could be if a person is considered to be a threat to public order or security, if they lied to obtain a residence permit, or if there are no longer grounds for the residence permit.
The government estimates that "a hundred thousand" people will be affected by the new rules. However, those who have received residence permits as refugees and those who have been granted family reunification are not included. Nor are EU citizens.
The legislative amendments are proposed to enter into force on July 13.
The Swedish Migration Board will examine a person's conduct, and the decisions will be appealable to the migration courts.
A character assessment should include things like:
1. Whether the person is a threat to public order or security
For example, support for international terrorism, extremist sympathies or connections to a violent organization.
2. Less serious crime
For example, occasional offenses that result in fines.
3. General lack of good conduct
For example, organizing begging (as opposed to begging oneself), incurring debt without any intention of repaying, benefit fraud, undeclared work, or not paying fines.
Source: Government
