Sweden introduces stricter citizenship rules requiring proof of honest living for immigrants

Sweden has announced new citizenship requirements for immigrants, aiming to tighten immigration rules. Applicants must now prove "honest living," live in the country for eight years, and pass language and social knowledge exams. These changes follow a government probe and reflect concerns over the impact of immigration on housing and employment. The new rules come as Sweden's center-right government, supported by the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, seeks to address these issues. Asylum approvals fell to a 40-year low in 2024, with only 6,250 permits granted. Critics argue that the stricter requirements may hinder integration rather than promote it.