We currently have a backlog of citizenship applications. Approximately 17,600 citizenship applications are waiting for processing. The backlog has built up because the number of incoming applications has been exceptionally high in recent years.
We have allocated more resources to process applications that have been submitted on 31 December 2023 or earlier.
Our aim is to have the backlog cleared by the end of 2026 and to prevent similar backlogs in the future.
At the same time, we start to process applications that have been submitted on 1 January 2024 or after that date. We are also taking other measures to speed up the processing, including development of automation.
Follow the processing of applications
Approximately 7,600 applications submitted by 31 December 2023 are now waiting for processing. You can follow the processing of these applications on the page Processing of citizenship applications.
Wait for the decision
If you have not received a decision on your application yet, there is no need to worry. Our aim is to make a decision on your application as soon as possible. We will send you automated messages by email when the processing status of your application changes. We will contact you if we need additional information from you. Our customer service cannot give you exact information about when you will receive the decision.
Apply for citizenship when you meet all the requirements
Before you apply for citizenship, make sure that you meet all the requirements for acquiring Finnish citizenship. If you apply for citizenship before you meet the requirements, you may receive a negative decision.
In some cases, the application can be decided quickly. This is the case if:
- all requirements are met and the decision is positive
- it is obvious that at least one of the requirements is not met and the decision is negative.
All applications are not processed in the order in which they arrive at the Finnish Immigration Service. At the moment, the processing times can vary more than usual.
Citizenship declarations are processed normally
There are no backlogs in the processing of citizenship declarations. The expected processing times for different types of declarations can be found on the page Processing times.
