Swedish authorities are taking steps to limit abuses of the country’s student visa system, following reports that a significant number of international students enter Sweden as students, but in fact come in to work. Employment agencies assist applicants from such countries as India, Pakistan, and Nepal.
Migration Minister Johan Forssell said loopholes and lax controls have allowed students to exploit the system:
Most students are serious, but we only want to attract top students.
Under current rules, international students and their families can work unlimited hours, making Sweden unusual when compared to other European nations.
Investigations have revealed that recruiters sometimes provide fraudulent documents—such as fake bank statements—to meet visa requirements. Once in Sweden, students may drop out of studies and work full-time, undermining the intended purpose of the program.
To address these issues, the Swedish government is preparing new regulations that would cap work hours at 15 per week for international students and increase academic requirements. According to Forsell,
We are now reviewing the law, and the examination highlights the importance of having a new law in place as quickly as possible during this year.