Finland has modified the rules for the issuance of residence permits to foreigners. From September 1, 2024, Finland has introduced stricter requirements for issuing residence permits which will also apply to those applicants who have submitted a residence permit application before the entry into force of the amendments on 1 September 2024 but have not yet received a decision.
New grounds for issuing a negative residence permit decision
As of September 1, 2024, you can receive a negative residence permit decision if you have applied for a first residence permit in Finland.
An application for a first residence permit must usually be submitted outside Finland. Now, there will be a stricter approach to applications for a first residence permit that has been submitted in Finland. You can get a negative residence permit decision if you apply for a first residence permit in Finland.
There are certain situations where you can apply for a first residence permit in Finland, for example, if
You are a family member of a Finnish citizen
You apply for a residence permit for a child born in Finland
You apply for a residence permit for studies or you are a family member of a student
You apply for a residence permit for a researcher or you are a family member of a researcher
Each application will be examined individually. When deciding on your residence permit application, all facts and circumstances affecting your situation will be taken into account. On that basis, we will assess whether it is unreasonable to reject your residence permit application and whether there are obstacles to issuing a residence permit regarding general obedience to the law, managed migration, or internal security.
As before, the following can be applied for only in Finland: an extended permit, a permanent residence permit, registration of an EU citizen, international protection, temporary protection, a residence permit for a victim of human trafficking, a residence permit due to misconduct of the employer and a residence permit on a discretionary basis on humanitarian grounds.
Also, when you apply for a residence permit, you must usually have a valid passport issued by your country of nationality. If you, for instance, have a refugee travel document or an alien’s passport issued by Finland or some other country, you will not necessarily be able to get a residence permit in Finland.
Further, apply for an extended permit or a permanent residence permit before your current residence permit expires. You can get a negative decision if you apply for an extended permit or a permanent residence permit after your previous permit has expired. However, if you have sent your application in the online service Enter Finland before the expiry of your previous permit, you have applied for a new permit in time.