The Temporal Borders of Family Reunification and Their Impact on Transnational Family Life

Despite increasing attention on temporal borders in migration and mobility studies, the focus has often remained on individual experiences within forced migration. However, in the context of tightening family reunification policies, there is a need for a broader, family-centered perspective to grasp the full impact of these policies on transnational family life. Using the case of Swedish family reunification, this paper adopts a multiple method approach - combining document analysis and semi-structured interviews with student migrants, work permit holders, Swedish citizens, refugees, and their families awaiting reunification – to address this gap. The paper explores how transnational families are affected by the temporal borders of reunification policy, and what temporal techniques are used for migration governance. The findings suggest that several temporal bordering techniques, including the use of temporary residence permits, acceleration and deceleration, and age limits, affect transnational family life while pushing families into indefinite waiting in separation. Meanwhile, transnational families use different ways to navigate the regulations to ensure a quick response on their application, while attempting to uphold their long-distance relationships and care practices. Ultimately, the temporal borders embedded in family reunification policies significantly shape the joint future aspirations of transnational families and create both legal and temporal dependencies between family members. These findings situate Sweden's policies within a broader, increasingly restrictive regime characteristic of Global North countries, which are aimed at keeping so-called ‘undesirable’ migrants outside their borders.