During his speech in Almedalen, the prime minister sharply criticized travelers who go to Iran despite the Foreign Ministry’s advice.
– It is deeply provocative that people who live in Sweden continue to go to Iran, despite the Foreign Ministry’s strict advice, Kristersson said.
The Prime Minister’s actions have provoked reactions among Swedish Iranians – and now the criticism is growing.
One of those who reacted strongly is the Swedish Iranian and veterinarian Kamran Chabokdavan. He is one of the initiators behind the Facebook group “Easier visa rules for Iranians”, with several thousand members, most of whom are Iranians in exile, who joined together in the hope of finding a solution.
– It feels provocative when the prime minister expresses himself in that way, when we have tried to find a solution, but no one listens, says Kamran,
Tougher rules for visas
Kamran believes that it is the increasingly tougher visa rules that have led to many Swedish-Iranians being forced to go to their home country as the only way out to see their close family members.
A majority of the relatives get their visa applications rejected, says Kamran, whose parents have not been allowed to come to Sweden.
– There is no other option for us when we cannot bring our parents here. You can’t just forget your parents, you have to meet them.
He understands that traveling to Iran is compatible with risks, but it is a risk that many are prepared to take in order to see, for example, their sick parents one last time, says Kamran.
“My child cried”
Kamran is far from alone. Even the Swedish-Iranian Sara, who does not want to have her surname, testifies to a similar situation.
She has been forced to go to Iran against her will after her mother’s visa application was rejected about two years ago.
– My child cried so much because they missed their grandmother, says Sara to TV4 Nyheterna.
Sharp increase in rejections
The percentage of rejections for Iranian citizens who apply for visas has increased sharply, from 29 percent in 2016 to 62 percent in 2022, according to figures from Statistics Norway and the Swedish Migration Agency that SVT has seen.
Until June last year, 82 percent of those who applied for visas were rejected, the TV channel reports.
Between 2015 and 2019, an average of roughly 15,000 Iranian citizens per year applied for a visa in Sweden.
Migration Agency: Tough situation in Iran
According to the Swedish Migration Agency, the sharp increase in refusals is due to the difficult socio-economic situation in Iran as a result of harsh sanctions that were imposed on the country in 2018. Something that the Swedish Migration Agency believes has led to many people wanting to leave Iran.
The authority therefore sees a risk in Swedish Iranians choosing to stay in Sweden in connection with their stay.
TV4 Nyheterna has sought the Prime Minister, who instead refers to Foreign Minister Tobias Billström.
– I understand that it can be more difficult to meet family and relatives who live in a country where it is strongly discouraged. However, that does not change the fact that it is dangerous to travel against the advice, says Billström to TV4 Nyheterna.
– Anyone who defies a sharp advice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs cannot count on getting help if something happens. If you still choose to travel, regardless of the reason, you do so with the knowledge that you cannot count on getting help, he continues.