Best Asylum Lawyers in Norrköping

About Asylum Law in Norrköping, Sweden

Asylum in Sweden is handled nationally by the Swedish Migration Agency, called Migrationsverket. Norrköping is significant in this field because Migrationsverket has central operations headquartered in the city. Your application is decided under Swedish law that implements international and EU rules, and the same rules apply whether you live in Norrköping or elsewhere in Sweden. You will normally register your claim with Migrationsverket, attend an asylum interview with an interpreter, and receive a written decision. If you are recognized as a refugee or as eligible for subsidiary protection, you receive a time-limited residence permit with the possibility to extend and, under certain conditions, later apply for permanent residence. If your application is refused, you have a right to appeal to a Migration Court.

Asylum seekers in Norrköping can receive housing arranged by Migrationsverket or live with friends or family. You receive an LMA card that shows you are an asylum seeker and gives access to certain benefits while your case is pending. Children have a right to attend school. Adults are entitled to necessary healthcare that cannot be postponed, and children have access to healthcare and dental care on the same terms as children who live in Sweden permanently.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Swedish asylum law is complex, and the details of how you present your story and evidence can be decisive. A lawyer, known as a public counsel or offentligt biträde, can be appointed and paid by the state in most asylum cases. You have the right to ask for a specific lawyer when counsel is appointed.

Situations where legal help is especially important include credibility disputes about what happened to you, claims based on gender, sexuality, political opinion, or religion, cases involving non-state actors or internal relocation, age assessments when you say you are under 18, Dublin Regulation issues about which EU country should examine your case, detention or reporting requirements, complex country of origin evidence, medical or psychological evidence of trauma, appeals after a refusal, and family reunification or extension applications that involve income and housing requirements. A lawyer helps you prepare for interview questions, collect and present documents, request interpreters in the right language, meet deadlines, and protect your right to stay in Sweden while an appeal is examined.

Local Laws Overview

Legal framework. Asylum is governed by the Aliens Act and the Aliens Ordinance, together with the EU Dublin Regulation and other EU rules. Sweden recognizes refugees under the 1951 Refugee Convention and persons eligible for subsidiary protection. Humanitarian grounds exist only in limited circumstances. Residence permits for protection are normally time-limited, with permanent residence possible later if you meet strict conditions.

Grounds for protection. You can be granted refugee status if you have a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group, which includes for example gender-related and sexual orientation claims. You can be granted subsidiary protection if you face a real risk of death penalty, torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, or serious and individual threat due to indiscriminate violence in an armed conflict.

Procedure. You register with Migrationsverket, provide fingerprints and photos, and receive an LMA card. You will attend an asylum interview with an interpreter. You may submit documents and written explanations at any time, but earlier is better. If another EU country is responsible under the Dublin rules, Sweden can decide to transfer you there. If Sweden examines your case, Migrationsverket issues a written decision with reasons. You normally have three weeks from receiving the decision to appeal through Migrationsverket to a Migration Court. With permission, a further appeal is possible to the Migration Court of Appeal.

Reception and work. While your case is pending you can receive housing and a daily allowance if you need it. Adults are entitled to healthcare that cannot be postponed, and children receive full healthcare and schooling. You may be allowed to work if you receive AT-UND, an exemption from the work permit requirement. AT-UND is usually granted when Sweden is examining your case and you help establish your identity. Your LMA card will show if you have AT-UND.

Residence permits. Recognized refugees often receive a residence permit for three years. Persons with subsidiary protection often receive 13-month permits. Permits can be extended if you still need protection. Permanent residence is possible only if strict requirements are met, such as the ability to support yourself, good conduct, and a verified identity.

Family reunification. If you are granted protection, your spouse or partner and your unmarried children under 18 can often apply to join you. In many cases you must meet a maintenance requirement, meaning sufficient income and suitable housing in Sweden. There are exceptions, especially for those who applied soon after receiving protection and for unaccompanied minors.

Detention and supervision. Migrationsverket or the Police may order detention in limited situations, for example to establish identity or to enforce a removal. Detention and reporting decisions can be appealed promptly to a court.

Confidentiality and interpreters. Your statements are confidential under Swedish secrecy rules. You have a right to an interpreter in a language you understand during meetings with the authorities and in court.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for asylum in Norrköping

Contact Migrationsverket as soon as possible to register. You will give your personal details, explain why you need protection, and provide fingerprints and photos. If you are already in Sweden, you can apply from within the country. If you are at the border, tell the border police you want to seek asylum. Migrationsverket manages your case even if you live in Norrköping.

Where will my asylum interview take place

Migrationsverket schedules interviews at one of its units. The location depends on capacity and your place of residence. If you live in Norrköping or nearby, your interview may be scheduled in the region. You will receive a letter with the time and place and information about interpretation and travel reimbursement rules.

Can I get a state-funded lawyer

Yes. In most asylum cases the state appoints and pays a public counsel. You can request a specific lawyer by name when counsel is appointed. If counsel is not granted automatically, you or your lawyer can ask Migrationsverket to appoint one due to the complexity of your case.

What documents should I submit

Provide any identity documents such as passports or national ID cards, evidence supporting your story such as summonses, medical records, photos, membership cards, police reports, and any risk evidence like threats. If you cannot obtain documents safely, explain why. Submit translations if possible, but do not delay telling your story because you are waiting for documents.

Can I work while my case is processed

You may work if you are granted AT-UND. This is shown on your LMA card. AT-UND is usually given if Sweden will examine your case and you help establish your identity. If you receive a Dublin decision or do not cooperate with identity issues, you may not get AT-UND.

How long does the process take

Timeframes vary depending on complexity, security checks, and caseload. Some cases are decided within months, others take longer. Dublin cases are usually faster because they only address responsibility for examining your claim, not the substance of your protection needs.

What happens if I get a Dublin decision

Migrationsverket may decide another EU or associated country is responsible for your claim based on fingerprints, visas, or family links. You can appeal within three weeks of receiving the decision and you can request the court to stop the transfer while the appeal is examined. Legal assistance is important for Dublin appeals.

Can my family join me in Sweden

If you are granted protection, your spouse or partner and your unmarried children under 18 can often apply for residence permits to join you. In many cases you must show income and suitable housing in Sweden. Apply as early as possible after receiving your own permit, and get legal advice if you have any doubt about eligibility or evidence.

What if my asylum application is refused

You normally have three weeks to appeal. The appeal is submitted to Migrationsverket, which can change its decision or forward the case to a Migration Court. You can ask the court for inhibition, which temporarily stops removal while the court considers your case. New evidence should be submitted as soon as possible. After a final refusal, removal is enforced unless there are new obstacles.

Is my information confidential

Yes. Details of your asylum claim are protected by secrecy rules. Authorities cannot disclose your information to the authorities of your home country. Interpreters and counsel are bound by confidentiality obligations.

Additional Resources

Swedish Migration Agency, called Migrationsverket, for registration, interviews, and decisions. The agency has central operations headquartered in Norrköping.

Migration Courts, which review appeals of asylum decisions. Appeals are lodged through Migrationsverket.

Swedish Refugee Law Center, also known as Asylrättscentrum, for legal information and strategic litigation.

FARR, the Swedish Network of Refugee Support Groups, for practical guidance and community support.

Swedish Red Cross, for psychosocial support, health information, and help tracing family members.

UNHCR Nordic and Baltic Office, for information on international protection standards.

RFSL Newcomers, for support to LGBTQI asylum seekers and migrants.

Church of Sweden and other faith-based organizations in Norrköping, for practical assistance and advice.

Norrköping Municipality services and Region Östergötland healthcare providers, for schooling, healthcare access, and social support for asylum seekers and families.

Rättshjälpsmyndigheten, the Legal Aid Authority, for information on state legal aid in matters outside appointed public counsel.

Next Steps

Step 1 - Act quickly. If you need protection, apply for asylum with Migrationsverket as soon as possible. Early applications help establish credibility and access to reception support.

Step 2 - Ask for a lawyer. When Migrationsverket considers appointing counsel, request a specific lawyer experienced in asylum law. If you already have a preferred lawyer, provide their name and contact details to the case officer.

Step 3 - Prepare your story. Write a clear, chronological account of what happened to you and why you fear return. Include dates, places, names, and how events affected you. Consistency matters. If you do not remember exact dates, explain why.

Step 4 - Gather evidence. Collect identity documents and any supporting materials. If you cannot obtain documents safely, say so and focus on your oral testimony. If you have medical or psychological evidence of harm, tell your lawyer so they can help you present it correctly.

Step 5 - Use interpretation and review carefully. Ask for an interpreter in the language and dialect you best understand. After your interview, read the transcript with your lawyer and request corrections if something is wrong or unclear.

Step 6 - Meet deadlines. You generally have three weeks to appeal a refusal. Appeals are submitted to Migrationsverket. Ask your lawyer to request inhibition if you need protection against removal during the appeal.

Step 7 - Protect your rights while waiting. Keep your contact details updated with Migrationsverket, carry your LMA card, attend all meetings, and follow any reporting requirements. Ask about AT-UND if you wish to work.

Step 8 - Plan for family. If you receive protection, speak with your lawyer about family reunification, maintenance and housing requirements, timelines, and the documents your family will need.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your situation in Norrköping, consult an experienced asylum lawyer as early as possible.