Your shortage occupation does not protect you: The Swedish Migration Agency deported 260 workers
260 people working in shortage occupations in Sweden have received deportation orders over the past year. This corresponds to five people per week. The figure comes from a review of over 6,000 rulings in migration courts between March 2025 and April 2026. As these 260 individuals are deported, 84 children are also forced to leave the country. On average, they have lived in Sweden for five years and eleven months. These are mechanics, nursing assistants, and electricians—professions where the labor force is not considered to be sufficiently met within Sweden.
The most common reason is that something in life has changed, meaning the basis for the previous residence permit no longer applies. You may have divorced, reached the age of majority, or lost a relative. As a rule, a new application must then be made from outside the country. Having a permanent job in a profession where Sweden lacks staff is not considered a sufficient reason to stay. The second most common reason is that the salary or terms of employment, at a current or previous workplace, do not meet the tightened requirements.
The review shows how small changes have major consequences. A 23-year-old welder with permanent employment was deported after his father received a permanent residence permit and the son himself turned 18, which removed the basis for his own permit. A woman working as a residential support worker was denied because her salary did not meet the requirement during the processing period, even though her employer raised it immediately. A man who was promoted from a consultant in solar energy to a project manager in energy and environment was no longer considered to be performing the same work duties.
The Swedish Migration Agency refers to the legislation. "Working and doing the right thing is not a basis for obtaining a residence permit," says press officer Cecilia Gustafsson. Since mid-2026, a salary of at least 90 percent of the median salary has been required, and 75 percent for 27 designated shortage occupations. More tightenings will come into effect this autumn. Therefore, check that your job title matches exactly what is stated on your work permit, and that your salary meets the requirement every month, even while you are waiting for a decision. Contact your trade union or a legal representative well in advance of your permit renewal.