Sweden's Fee Exemption for Citizenship Applicants
The Swedish Migration Agency has confirmed that two specific categories of foreign nationals are exempt from paying the standard fee required to apply for Swedish citizenship as an adult. All other applicants must pay SEK 2,900 (N412,500) when submitting their application, and the agency states that this fee is non-refundable, meaning rejected applicants will not receive their money back.
Who Qualifies for the Exemption?
The exemption applies exclusively to: 1) Stateless individuals who have been granted refugee status by Swedish authorities, and 2) Stateless refugees who hold travel documents issued by the Swedish Migration Agency. No other category of applicant qualifies for a waiver, and the full fee applies regardless of personal circumstances.
Processing Times for Swedish Citizenship
Applicants should also expect a potentially long wait for a decision. The Swedish Migration Agency notes that processing times vary considerably based on factors such as whether the application is complete from the outset, whether additional information is needed, and whether consultations with other government bodies are required. According to official statistics based on cases decided over the past 12 months, 75% of recently decided applications were processed within 55 months, providing a realistic benchmark for prospective applicants.
In related news, Legit.ng previously reported that Australia's Department of Home Affairs has outlined residency requirements for foreigners seeking citizenship, specifying the number of years applicants must have lived in Australia on a valid visa and the allowed time spent outside the country.
