Enforcement halt

The Swedish Migration Agency can implement an enforcement halt decision when the security situation in a country changes rapidly and when there is not enough information about the situation in the country. As long as the enforcement halt applies, the Swedish Migration Agency will not enforce (carry out) refusal of entry or expulsion decisions. A person who has received a refusal of entry or expulsion decision may stay in Sweden for as long as the enforcement halt applies.

An enforcement halt is imposed for a limited period of time while the Swedish Migration Agency works to obtain up-to-date information on the political and security situation in the country in question. The duration of an enforcement halt varies and as long as it is ongoing, the Swedish Migration Agency cannot give information on how long it will last.

The enforcement halt applies either to all citizens or a specific group from the country in question who have received a refusal of entry or expulsion decision. This applies regardless of whether the person has applied for asylum, a work permit, or some other type of permit.

You can always return to your country of origin voluntarily. An enforcement halt does not change that.

Decisions are not reconsidered

The enforcement halt does not mean that the Swedish Migration Agency automatically re-examines a person’s application. If you have received a refusal of entry or expulsion decision, it still applies. However, the enforcement halt means that the decision cannot be implemented at the moment, due to the uncertain situation in the country.

You do not need to do anything to be covered

If you have received a decision informing you that you must return to a country for which an enforcement halt is issued, you do not need to do anything in order for your refusal of entry or expulsion to be paused. The enforcement halt applies automatically.

If your asylum application has been rejected

If you have applied for asylum and received a refusal decision from the Swedish Migration Agency or the court, you may sometimes be able to retain continued financial support, the right to housing and the right to work in the event of an enforcement halt.

Contact your nearest unit for reception for more information if you are uncertain about what applies to you.

Financial support and the right to accommodation

If you have received a decision refusing you entry to Sweden or expelling you to your country of origin and the deadline for voluntary departure is about to expire, you will receive a decision informing you that you are still entitled to money and accommodation from your unit for reception. You do not need to make an application yourself.

If the deadline for your voluntary departure has expired, certain conditions must be met in order for you to be entitled to financial support again during the enforcement halt. You must first apply for one of the following:

• for the refusal of entry or expulsion to be paused (for the case to be suspended)
• to have your grounds for protection re-examined.

You are not entitled to aid while we are processing your application for a new examination of your case. If you receive a suspension or re-examination decision, you can then notify us that you need aid (accommodation and money) under the Act on Reception of Asylum Seekers.

Right to work (AT-UND)

An asylum seeker may have the right to work while they wait for a decision about their application. This is known as an exemption from the obligation to have a work permit (AT-UND).

If you have received a decision refusing you entry to Sweden or expelling you to your country of origin, you may have the right to work during an enforcement halt, if any of the following apply to you:

• You are still enrolled in the Swedish Migration Agency’s reception system.
• You receive a decision informing you that your case is being suspended or that your grounds for protection are re-examined.

If you have been discharged from the Swedish Migration Agency’s reception system and have a valid refusal of entry or expulsion decision, you do not have the right to work, even if you are covered by the enforcement halt.