The operations of the Finnish Immigration Service were influenced by three significant factors during 2003: the laws under amendment, the regionalisation of the Directorate's operations, and an increased operational efficiency evidenced in particular by the decreased processing time for applications.
Among the major changes brought about by the new Nationality Act was not only a more extensive acceptance of multinationality but also the possibility of regaining Finnish citizenship through a declaration to the authorities. By the end of the year, nearly 1,700 former Finnish citizens and their offspring had submitted an application to regain Finnish nationality.
The Finnish Immigration Service also prepared for the new Aliens Act that came into force on 1 May 2004, in accordance with which the responsibility of the police for asylum interviews and the processing of residence permits applied for through Finnish diplomatic missions abroad are transferred to the Directorate of Immigration. The preparatory work requires, among other things, an examination of implementation procedures, a change in the aliens' register, and a complete updating of the information sheets and the Directorate's Web pages.
Operations go regional and online
According to clarifications on the regionalisation of the Directorate of Immigration, the authority will found a new regional Saimen unit in Lappeenranta, establishing the experimental Kuhmo office as the Kainuu regional unit, and it will also open a refugee and asylum office at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.
In keeping with the electronic business strategy, an extensive development project was launched; it will continue until 2008. First, the Directorate's asylum procedure will go online, which is expected to significantly shorten processing time and result in cost savings.
Productivity reached a satisfactory level
The total productivity of the Finnish Immigration Service was satisfactory, although the number of issues resolved seemed to diminish. Positive financial results demand preparation for demanding projects that will become topical during 2004.
In total, 2003 saw 39,659 applications submitted and 39,806 decisions issued. The processing times remained nearly the same as before. There were 3,221 asylum seekers, of whom nearly half had applied for asylum previously from another country in the European Union.
Directorate of Immigration Annual Report 2003
Helsinki, 7 May 2004
