The increasing refugee immigration to Europe has influenced almost all European countries including Sweden and Norway. Although the countries have relatively strong welfare states, the neoliberal reorganisation and increasing immigration during 2015-2016 has challenged the welfare states. This presentation critically examines the sociopolitical responses of Sweden and Norway to the increasing immigration and refugees and how it might have influenced social work education and practice. Based on a review of governmental responses to the increasing immigration, we present how the right-based welfare states of Sweden and Norway were tackling the recent refugee ‘crisis’ and if the new situation has influenced social work education and practice aimed at promoting social justice and social integration. Increasing global social problems with local consequences require new perspectives and competencies of practice, which urge educational institutions to adapt themselves to new the conditions.