In the summer of 2021, the Swedish government made changes to the Aliens Act (2005:716) to where it is no longer possible for asylum seekers to receive permanent residency. Temporary residency had at that time already been on trial for five years during the temporary law (Act (2016:752) on temporary restrictions on the possibility of obtaining a residence permit in Sweden). For the last six years, most asylum-seekers who have had their cases approved have received temporary residency and not permanent, making this new restriction well-known among both public and voluntary social workers.

The purpose of this study has been to analyze the consequences of recently introduced temporary residence permits for both public and voluntary social work related to newly arrived people’s establishment in Swedish society. The purpose also includes an analysis of how social workers in the public and voluntary sector view the significance of temporary residence permits for newly arrived people’s living conditions and what possible challenges temporary residency pose to social work. A qualitative interview study consisting of interviews with four experienced social workers, involved in both public and voluntary social work, has been used to fulfil the purpose. The findings show that all interviewees find temporary residence permits and related waiting times and demands on asylum-seekers to support themselves as harmful to former asylum-seekers, making it more difficult for their establishment and for individuals to move on with their lives. Therefore, this study suggests that the control and regulation of asylum-seekers can be seen as a process of social exclusion and as an example of bureaucratic violence. The findings also show that the difficult conditions for these people pose several challenges to both public and voluntary social work aiming to support and help newly arrived people to good health and establishment in society. One important role for social work in this situation is to strive towards recognition of both the difficulties newly arrived people meet and of their value as human beings and individuals.