Sweden and Uzbekistan sign migration pact, agree to simplify visa procedures

The newly signed documents provide state-backed legal guarantees designed to regulate how citizens of Uzbekistan find legal employment, pursue education, and establish residency in Sweden.

A central component of the agreement focuses on establishing robust cooperative mechanisms directly connecting Uzbek job seekers with Swedish employers. The two nations plan to work closely to prepare qualified specialists tailored specifically to the demands of the Swedish labor market, with an initial focus on the healthcare, engineering, service, and caregiving sectors. To support this workforce pipeline, the partner states will establish dedicated Swedish language courses and targeted vocational training programs.

Beyond labor mobility, the framework significantly expands academic horizons for students, doctoral candidates, and young researchers by opening up new channels for institutional and academic exchange. To ensure the safety of those traveling under these initiatives, the agreement introduces comprehensive safeguards to protect the legal rights of all migration program participants and their accompanying family members.

Travel procedures will also become significantly more accessible under the new deal. The two countries have committed to simplifying standard visa processing requirements. Furthermore, a mutual 30–day visa-free regime will be enacted specifically for holders of diplomatic passports.

While expanding legal pathways, the bilateral agreement places equal emphasis on tightening border security and enforcement. Tashkent and Stockholm have pledged to enhance operational cooperation to combat illegal migration, dismantle human trafficking networks, and prevent document forgery.