Number of residence permit applications down by a fifth during the first months of the year

Between January and April 2012 a total of 5,059 individuals from non-EU countries applied for a residence permit in Finland, a drop of approximately 19 per cent compared to the corresponding period a year ago (6,252 applicants in 2011).

Most notable was the drop in the number of applications submitted on the grounds of family ties. The number of applications made on this basis dropped by 22 per cent during the first four months of the year (2,564 applicants in 2012, 3,310 applicants in 2011).

The number of individuals applying on the grounds of ties to family members receiving international protection in Finland dropped the most, by 75 per cent in total. Between January and April 2012 only 209 individuals applied for a residence permit on the basis of ties to family members receiving international protection in Finland, while the number was 834 during the corresponding period in 2011.

The most notable reason for the drop is probably the fact that from the beginning of 2012 sponsors residing in Finland are no longer allowed to submit applications on behalf of their families. Under the new rules, each individual must apply for a residence permit personally.

Family ties and work the most common grounds for applying

Despite the drop in the number of applications submitted on the grounds of family ties, this was the most common reason for applying for a residence permit: half of all applicants wanted to move to Finland to be with a family member. Various work-related grounds were the second most common reason: a total of 2,102 individuals, or approximately 42 per cent of all applicants, applied for a residence permit on work-related grounds.

The number of residence permit applications submitted on the basis of studies is expected to increase during the rest of the year and to rival the number of applications submitted on the basis of family ties and on work-related grounds, since the majority of foreign students apply for their residence permits in the summer in preparation for courses beginning in the autumn.

Russians the largest group; the number of Somali applicants down on previous years

By nationality the largest groups among residence permit applicants were Russians (1,049), Ukrainians (388) and Indians (378). At the beginning of 2011, the largest nationalities among applicants were Russians (1,174), Somalis (818) and Indians (456).

Somalis, who for some time have been among the largest nationalities of applicants, submitted a total of 209 applications during the first months of 2012, placing sixth in the statistics. The number of residence permit applications received from Somali citizens was particularly high in 2009 and 2010, but the trend turned downwards last year and the number has continued to drop ever since.

A total of 76 per cent of applicants granted a residence permit

A total of 4,150 applicants, or 76 per cent of all who got their applications processed between January and April 2012, were granted a residence permit (81% in 2011). A total of 1,297 applicants, representing 24 per cent of all processed applications, were given a negative decision. The most residence permits were granted on work-related grounds (1,907) and on the basis of family ties (1,780).

The ratio between positive and negative decisions varied the most with regard to applications made on the grounds of family ties, which included applications from individuals of various nationalities and on many different grounds. One of the reasons for this variation is the change over recent years in the profile of applicants. The most residence permits are granted to individuals applying as a spouse and the least to other relatives who are not members of the nuclear family.

More detailed statistics available online

More detailed statistics on residence permit matters between January and April 2012 can be found in Finnish on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service at www.migri.fi > Tilastot > OIeskelulupatilastot.

Further information for the media

Raisa Bernards, Senior Adviser, Immigration Unit, tel. +358 71 873 0431, e-mail: firstname.lastname@migri.fi