Immigration alert – Application for an extension of temporary protection for people fleeing war in Ukraine: must be submitted before March 4th, 2024

Overview

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, approximately 62 500 persons have been granted residence permits based on temporary protection in Sweden. All such residence permits expire on March 4th, 2024, and recipients of temporary protection who wish to remain in Sweden must submit an extension application to the Migration Agency by this date.

Application for an extended residence permit based on temporary protection

The EU Commission decided on September 28, 2023, to extend temporary protection for people fleeing the war in Ukraine for another year. Deloitte has previously reported on this matter, please refer to our previous articles for more information regarding the extended activation of the temporary protection directive: Immigration alert – Application for an extension of temporary protection for people fleeing war in Ukraine: must be submitted before March 4th, 2023.

On January 29th, 2024, the Swedish Migration Agency has once again opened their e-application service for extending residence permits based on temporary protection. Residence permits for recipients of temporary protection expire on March 4th, 2024, and applications for renewals must therefore be submitted by this date at the latest. Everyone affected has received a letter to their postal address with information on how the extension application is processed. The only thing required to use the e-service is an email address and a mobile phone number. The applicant does not need to attach any documents or passport copies.

After the application has been submitted all applicants must visit the Migration Agency in person to be photographed and leave fingerprints for their new residence permit cards to be produced. Time for the visit is booked in the e-service in connection to the application. It is possible to leave fingerprints and be photographed at 16 different locations in Sweden and you can apply for financial compensation for any travel costs to the nearest location.

Once the Migration Agency has issued a decision and renewed the applicant’s residence permit, a new residence permit card will be sent by post to the applicant’s address. The extended residence permit based on temporary protection will be valid until March 4th, 2025.

Deloitte’s commentary

Although the work of determining the future for those who have fled the war continues on both national as well as on EU-level, it is still not clear what rules will apply when the temporary protection expires on 4th of March 2025.

Deloitte notes that recipients of temporary protection are unfortunately still unable to receive personal identity numbers in Sweden, which prohibits access to many services in Sweden. No announcement has been made with regards to amending this matter.

Deloitte actively monitors any developments in the area and will publish any new announcements and updates.

If you have questions, you are welcome to contact us:

Martina Ogenhammar Conti
Director, Head of Immigration - Global Employer Services
mogenhammar@deloitte.se
+46 70 080 21 60

Marcus Kungberg
Manager, Immigration - Global Employer Services
mkungberg@deloitte.se
+46 70 080 35 48

Jessica Axelsson
Immigration specialist - Global Employer Services
jaxelsson@deloitte.se
+46 70 080 25 66

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