As an asylum seeker, you can participate in various activities to help you start learning the Swedish language, learn about Swedish society and the labour market, or improve your health.
The social introduction organised by the Swedish Migration Agency is mandatory, but there are also many voluntary activities to choose from, such as language cafés or sports activities. The offerings may vary, depending on where you live.
Anyone over the age of 15 who applies for asylum in Sweden must participate in the Swedish Migration Agency’s social introduction. The social introduction is mandatory, which means that you cannot choose to refuse to participate.
The social introduction is usually given verbally in a group, in a language that you understand. The content of the introduction is intended to help asylum seekers understand the asylum process and Swedish society. The introduction addresses issues related to democracy, norms and values, including issues such as gender equality, honour-related violence, and dissent, as well as practical matters related to housing, everyday life and the labour market.
When it is time for you to participate in the social introduction, the Swedish Migration Agency will send you a notification. If you become ill or are unable to attend the introduction for any other reason, you must notify the Swedish Migration Agency.
Children under the age of 15 are not required to participate in the social introduction. Instead, the Swedish Migration Agency has produced written information that is more suitable for children. This information covers such subjects as what happens when you apply for asylum and what rights children have in Sweden.
Information for children who have applied for asylum
As an asylum seeker, you can also participate in various activities to start learning the Swedish language, find out about Swedish society and the labour market or improve your health.
Many volunteer organisations, such as sports clubs, cultural associations, humanitarian associations, churches, and mosques arrange activities for asylum seekers. These may include activities where you learn more about Swedish society or about the labour market, Swedish language classes, language cafés or activities aimed at improving your health.
On the internet there are many programmes for learning Swedish on your own. You can find links to various programmes on the website informationsverige.se. Most of the programmes require internet access. All of them are free of charge.
Informationsverige.se
External link.
There are also study associations and folk high schools that offer study circles or courses in Swedish and civic information for asylum seekers. In these activities, you meet in a group and learn Swedish together with a teacher. Group participants have the opportunity to help decide what the instruction will be like. The group meets several times. If you are not granted a residence permit in Sweden, you may benefit from having taken courses that are internationally viable, such as English and computer science.
Many of the organised activities are part of Sweden’s Early Action for Asylum Seekers (TIA) programme. It costs nothing to participate in these activities. If you want to participate in an activity arranged through the Early Action for Asylum Seekers programme, you should contact a study association, folk high school or voluntary organisation in the place where you live. To participate, you need to be able to present your Asylum Seeker card (LMA card).
If the activity in which you participate is part of the Early Action for Asylum Seekers programme, in some cases the Swedish Migration Agency may pay compensation for your travel by public transport to the activity. Ask the person arranging the activity whether it is part of the Early Action for Asylum Seekers programme.
If you need compensation for your travel costs, you need to ask the arranger of the activity for a certificate showing that you are a participant. You should take the certificate with you to the Swedish Migration Agency.
You can get compensation for your travel if you are at least 18 years of age and you
You can also receive compensation for travel if you have been granted a residence permit in Sweden but still live in the Swedish Migration Agency’s accommodation centres.
If you have an income or are attending upper secondary school, you cannot get compensation for travel to Early Action activities.
To get compensation for the cost of travelling to these activities, the distance between your home and the activity must be at least three kilometres. If the distance is less than three kilometres, you may still be reimbursed for a shorter journey by public transport. For example, this applies if you cannot walk to the activity because you have a disability or need to bring young children with you.
You can generally receive compensation for travel to activities that are offered in the municipality where you live. This is why you should start by looking for a suitable activity in your own municipality. If there are not enough activities where you live, in some cases you can get compensation for travel to another municipality. Talk to someone at your Unit for Reception to find out more about the activities available where you live and the travel compensation you can receive.
The compensation is paid to your bank card, usually one month at a time. If you have any questions about compensation for your travel expenses, please contact your Unit for Reception.
If you stop participating in an activity, you will no longer be entitled to travel compensation. In that case, you need to notify the arranger of the activity and your Unit for Reception that you have stopped participating.
If you are ill or have other obstacles that make it temporarily impossible for you to attend the activity, you must notify the arranger of the activity.
Informationsverige.se offers free exercises and films for people who want to learn Swedish on their own.
Learn Swedish at Informationsverige.se External link.
Most of the programmes require internet access.
The page informationsverige.se/I am seeking asylum External link. also provides very useful information about Swedish society.
“Digitala jag” ("Digital me") is an online course for people who want to become more confident using digital services in their everyday life, for example in contact with various authorities. The course is free and available in several languages.
2025-03-05
The Swedish Migration Agency's new website has now been launched
On 5 March, the Swedish Migration Agency launched a completely new version of migrationsverket.se, with a new structure and a more user-friendly navigation. The purpose of the new website is primarily to make it easier for visitors to find the information they need.
2025-02-28
Amended rules for asylum seekers living in their own accommodation (EBO)
From 1 March, virtually all new asylum seekers will be required to live in one of the Swedish Migration Agency’s asylum accommodation centres in order to receive financial support from the Swedish Migration Agency in the form of daily allowances and special grants.
2025-02-18
If you are returning to your country of origin, you can receive support worth EUR 5,000
If you withdraw your application for asylum or if it is rejected, you can receive support from the Swedish Migration Agency. On 1 March 2025, the support we provide for efforts to help you and your family members reintegrate into society in your country of origin will change. The amount of support you can get depends on when you choose to return.
2025-01-30
Legislative change on accommodation and financial support for asylum seekers
The Swedish Parliament has decided on a legislative change that will affect asylum seekers’ right to financial support and the option to live in their own accommodation. The change will be introduced in two stages. From 1 March, the change only applies to new asylum seekers, and from 1 September 2025, anyone who applied for asylum before 1 March and who lives in their own accommodation is also affected.
2025-01-20
The Upper Secondary School Act ends on 20 January
January 20 is the last day to apply for a permanent residence permit under the Upper Secondary School Act. After this the law will expire, but many people who currently have a residence permit under the Upper Secondary School Act will be able to have their application for permanent residence considered even after January 20.
2024-12-16
Now you can see your complete decision on My Page
If you are waiting for a decision from the Swedish Migration Agency, you can now see the complete decision on My page. Previously, you have only been able to see if the decision is positive or negative, and the justification has only been sent home to you in paper format.
2024-12-12
Now there are films that explain to children what happens when they apply for asylum in Sweden and why they may need to answer some difficult questions. Children will also learn more about life in Sweden, about children’s rights and about laws that protect children.