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Swedish Migration Agency Strengthens Cooperation for Voluntary Return Information and Support

🇸🇪 SwedenExit Rules1 recorded versionLast change 30 Sept 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

There is no new legislative eligibility rule announced on 30 September 2026. Instead, the Migration Agency has strengthened the operational arrangements through which people can obtain information, advice and practical support when considering voluntary return. IOM's role has been expanded to include payment of voluntary return grants in third countries. The arrangement initially covers six countries: Syria, Iraq, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Migration Agency says discussions are continuing about including additional countries. UNHCR now provides independent counselling through physical and digital channels. This advice covers the handling and return process and possibilities for re-establishing in the country of origin. It is intended to complement the Migration Agency's own information and decision-making rather than replace the Agency's role in assessing applications. The broader information strategy has also been adjusted. Because many people eligible to apply for the grant do not have an active relationship with the Migration Agency, ordinary agency communication channels cannot reach the entire potential target group. The Agency has therefore identified a continuing need to work with other organisations and communication channels that already interact with potential applicants. The underlying financial-support framework remains the one introduced on 1 January 2026. Eligible applicants can receive SEK 350,000 per adult and SEK 25,000 per child, with a maximum of SEK 500,000 for spouses or cohabiting partners together and SEK 600,000 for a household. Payments are made in stages rather than as a single payment.

Overview

The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) has submitted a final report to the government on its assignment to enhance information and support for voluntary return, noting an increase in applications for return grants. To improve support, Migrationsverket has initiated cooperation with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to facilitate grant payments in six third countries and with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for independent advice. These measures aim to provide comprehensive assistance beyond financial aid, addressing practical matters before and after departure, and to ensure better-informed decisions by individuals considering voluntary return.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • People considering voluntary return from Sweden who may qualify for the return grant: They can now access expanded information and advice, including UNHCR counselling
  • Eligible applicants returning to the six initially covered third countries: IOM's cooperation with the Migration Agency includes arrangements for grant payments in Syria, Iraq, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • People who are uncertain about eligibility: The Migration Agency is providing more detailed information about basic requirements and common reasons for refusal
  • People preparing for re-establishment after leaving Sweden: UNHCR counselling can cover possibilities for re-establishment in the country of origin
  • Potential applicants without an ongoing relationship with the Migration Agency: The strengthened cooperation is partly intended to reach people who are not accessible through the Agency's normal communication channels

What changed in the latest version

Before

Before the latest cooperation arrangements, Sweden already had a voluntary return grant administered by the Migration Agency. The system was not newly created in 2026. The Agency has been responsible for administering financial assistance for voluntary return since the 1990s, and the previous framework generally provided support to certain people with residence permits on protection-related grounds. Historically, applications and approvals were relatively low. The Migration Agency's 2025 reporting shows that Sweden had already begun expanding information work before the latest IOM and UNHCR cooperation. The Agency worked with Arbetsförmedlingen, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, the Swedish Prison and Probation Service and the Swedish Police Authority to distribute information. It also worked with the Delegation for Migration Studies, the Swedish Public Employment Service and diaspora organisations, among others. The previous approach therefore already included financial assistance and information-sharing through Swedish authorities and other organisations. What has developed in 2026 is a broader support structure extending into the period before and after departure, including international cooperation and advice in connection with re-establishment abroad.

After

There is no new legislative eligibility rule announced on 30 September 2026. Instead, the Migration Agency has strengthened the operational arrangements through which people can obtain information, advice and practical support when considering voluntary return. IOM's role has been expanded to include payment of voluntary return grants in third countries. The arrangement initially covers six countries: Syria, Iraq, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Migration Agency says discussions are continuing about including additional countries. UNHCR now provides independent counselling through physical and digital channels. This advice covers the handling and return process and possibilities for re-establishing in the country of origin. It is intended to complement the Migration Agency's own information and decision-making rather than replace the Agency's role in assessing applications. The broader information strategy has also been adjusted. Because many people eligible to apply for the grant do not have an active relationship with the Migration Agency, ordinary agency communication channels cannot reach the entire potential target group. The Agency has therefore identified a continuing need to work with other organisations and communication channels that already interact with potential applicants. The underlying financial-support framework remains the one introduced on 1 January 2026. Eligible applicants can receive SEK 350,000 per adult and SEK 25,000 per child, with a maximum of SEK 500,000 for spouses or cohabiting partners together and SEK 600,000 for a household. Payments are made in stages rather than as a single payment.

This development changes the practical support available for Sweden's voluntary return system, rather than creating a new type of visa, residence permit, or way to claim asylum. The Swedish Migration Agency is moving towards a model where financial help is combined with information, independent advice, and support for the practical steps of leaving Sweden and settling back into life abroad. This is especially important because the number of applications went up significantly during the first eight months of 2026. The Migration Agency received 763 applications between January and August 2026, compared to 133 applications for the whole of 2025. By the end of August, 200 applications had been approved. However, 317 out of the 590 cases decided by that time were rejected, mostly because the applicant did not hold the type of residence permit required by the rules. The Agency itself warns that the increase in applications cannot be fully put down to the information campaign. The rules and the amount of financial support also changed during the same period. This distinction is important when trying to understand if the increase in applications shows how effective the campaign has been.

Explained simply

Imagine you're trying to move back home, but it's really complicated. The Swedish Migration Agency realised that just giving you some money isn't enough. Now, they're working with other big organisations, like IOM and UNHCR, to help you more. IOM can help get you money in some countries, and UNHCR gives you free, independent advice on how to plan your move and settle back in. It's like getting a moving company and a personal advisor to help you pack up and restart your life easily.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v1Issued 30 Sept 2026PublishedHigh impact
    Swedish Migration Agency Strengthens Cooperation for Voluntary Return Information and Support

    The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) has enhanced its voluntary return programme by strengthening information efforts and support services, as detailed in a final report submitted to the Government on 30 September 2026. This includes new cooperations initiated in August, notably with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for return grant payments in six specific third countries (Syria, Iraq, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Democratic Republic of Congo), and with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to provide independent physical and digital advice to individuals considering voluntary return. Migrationsverket has also improved its communication to offer clearer information on eligibility requirements and common reasons for rejection, following an increase in return grant applications to 763 between January and August 2026, up from 133 in 2025.

Timeline

  1. Announced

    30 Sept 2026

    The Swedish Migration Agency (Migrationsverket) has submitted a final report to the government on its assignment to enhance information and support for voluntary return, noting an increase in applications for return grants. To improve support, Migrationsverket has initiated cooperation with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to facilitate grant payments in six third countries and w

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