International students. Six months to establish yourself in the Swedish labour market. This is one of several proposals from a state committee, which has reviewed the laws and regulations on migration issues, to be presented shortly.
In 2009, there were some 40,000 international students that studied in Sweden. Less than 500 remained in Sweden to work.
One of the possible reasons according to the committee is that many of the students' temporary residence permits run out upon graduation.
- We suggest that you should be able to stay for six months to establish yourself in the Swedish labour market, said Mikaela Valtersson, chairman of the inquiry committee to SR.
The state committee, which consists of members from all parliamentary parties except Sweden Democrats, began reviewing the laws and regulations on migration issues in 2009. A series of proposals will be presented in the near future, writes SR.
The committee will also propose that all people that hold a permanent residence permit will be allowed to live up to five years abroad without losing their Swedish residency. At present, it is withdrawn after one year.
- This will of course make it easier for many people, who might want to go to their home country and see if there is a calm and safe situation. But it can also make it easier for people who want to go and study in another country, but who may then wish to return to Sweden, says one of committee members, Fredrik Federley from the Centre Party, to SR.
- Whatever the reasons, it should be easier for people to move across the borders, as has been the core mission of our investigation.
