Sweden’s Parliament approved changes to asylum and residency legislation aimed to curb the number of people seeking asylum in the Nordic country, thelocal.se reported on Tuesday.

A key change is the introduction of a three-year residence permit for people granted protection in Sweden. At present, permanent permits are being granted as a rule.

Another change limits the right to immigration of members of the families of certain types of immigrants, 

The new legislation, which will take effect on 20 July, is planned to remain in place for up to three years.

Sweden, a favourite destination for thousands of refugees and migrants, took in 160,000 asylum seekers last year.

As Europe saw the highest number of asylum seekers since the WWII last year, the unprecedented number has greatly challenged the resources and social structures in Sweden, a country of 9.5 million people.