Finnish Immigration Service expects an increase in residence permit and citizenship applications

The Finnish Immigration Service estimates that more applications will be submitted in both residence permit and citizenship matters in 2017 than during the previous year. The number of asylum applications, however, is hard to predict.

In 2017, a total of 28,000 applications for a first residence permit are expected to become pending. This is approximately 2,000 more applications than in 2016. A total of 14,000 citizenship matters are expected to become pending. This is approximately 600 more applications than in 2016.

The estimates are based on an analysis which has been made on the basis of, among other things, the development in the number of applications both over a longer and shorter period of time.

A maximum of 10,000 asylum applications

The number of asylum applications is hard to predict as the number of asylum seekers arriving in Finland is affected by the situations in their country of origin and their neighbouring countries as well as by the actions of the European Union and the border control in Europe. In 2017, the Finnish Immigration Service is preparing to process up to 10,000 asylum applications. The number also includes asylum seekers who have been resettled within the EU.

At the moment, the arrival of asylum seekers to Finland is moderate and if the current situation continues, noticeably less than 10,000 asylum seekers will come to Finland. The Finnish Immigration Service is following the situation and is ready to react to possible changes.

Increase in residence permit applications due to applications based on family ties

The increase in the number of residence permit applications is mostly due to the increase in applications based on family ties. In 2017, a total of 13,000 applications based on family ties are expected to be submitted. As during previous years, the largest applicant group is expected to be family members of foreign nationals other than those who have been granted international protection. Family members of Finnish citizens are expected to submit 3,500 residence permit applications.

Family members of persons who have been granted international protection are expected to submit 3,000 residence permit applications. The number is affected by, for example, how many family members the asylum seekers who have been granted a permit have.

A slight increase is expected in the applications for a first residence permit based on work. The number is affected by, for example, how well the Finnish economy is doing and how many foreign workers are employed.

The number of applications for residence permits for studies is not, however, expected to increase this year. Students who are not from an EU or EEA country have to pay a tuition fee starting from next year.

Applications for residence permits 2011–2017 (estimate)

A record number of citizenship matters expected

A total of 14,000 citizenship matters are expected to be submitted, which is more than ever before. Citizenship applications make up the largest application group within citizenship matters. The number of such applications is expected to increase and 12,000 citizenship applications are expected to be submitted this year. The number of citizenship applications has been increasing since 2011.

Former Finnish citizens can be granted citizenship by declaration. The number of citizenship declarations is expected to stay at the same level as in 2016. In addition, more than 1,000 determinations of citizenship status are expected. The number of determinations has been increasing, for example, because so many asylum seekers came to Finland in 2015. A person’s citizenship can be determined on the person’s own initiative or by the request of an authority.

Citizenship matters submitted 2011–2017 (estimate)

Regular estimates of the number of applications to be published from now on

The Finnish Immigration Service will from now on publish regular estimates on the future number of applications. With the help of such estimates, we can better plan the development of our operations and allocate resources efficiently where they are needed.

Further information for the media:

Asylum: Esko Repo, Director of Asylum Unit, tel. +358 295 430 431, e-mail: forename.surname@migri.fi

Residence permits: Tiina Suominen, Director of Immigration Unit, tel. +358 295 430 431, e-mail: forename.surname@migri.fi

Citizenship: Ulla Vainikka, Head of Section, Nationality Unit, tel. +358 295 430 431, e-mail: forename.surname@migri.fi