Business organization calls for fast-track visas for certain immigrants

At the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, there are concerns that the tougher requirements for obtaining a residence permit in Sweden will lead entrepreneurs wanting to start new businesses to avoid Sweden. They want to solve this with special startup visas.

Tech entrepreneurs, whom the government is keen to attract, are reportedly turning their backs on Sweden.

“A very clear signal is being sent: don’t come here. That’s very unfortunate,” says Carl Bergkvist, Head of Economic Policy at the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, to Aftonbladet.

According to Bergkvist, the average processing time is 16 months and of those who apply for self-employment residence permits, only seven percent are approved. Compared to a year ago, the share granted residence permits has decreased by 61 percent.

Bergkvist describes this as a threat to Swedish growth and competitiveness and refers to the recent announcement that there is essentially no more scope for reforms. One way to resolve this, he believes, is to increase growth in society so that more tax revenue is collected, but if the door is closed to these kinds of enterprising individuals, it will impact prosperity and welfare.

“Idiocy”

The problem, they argue, is complicated regulations and long processing times at the Swedish Migration Agency, combined with the government’s tightened migration policy such as the increased wage requirement for labor immigration.

“It’s idiocy. It’s counterproductive and needs to be abolished. It doesn’t help Sweden – it hurts Sweden,” says Carl Bergkvist.

Startup visas

There is now a call to introduce special startup visas, a sort of fast-track that is said to already exist in other countries.

Minister for Migration Johan Forssell (Moderate Party) promises to look into the matter more closely.

“I know there’s a lot of fraud here, incomplete applications, and incorrect information. But Sweden needs to be alert when it comes to top talents, and 16 months is a very long wait. I do not rule out that we need to take action. We Moderates oppose unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape – that is not how we want it,” he says.