Changes to international protection permits as of 2 January 2025

The validity period of permits issued on the basis of international protection will be shortened and international protection will become temporary as of 2 January 2025, when the amendments to the Aliens Act enter into force.

International protection permits include: 

• asylum granted on the basis of refugee status; and
• a residence permit issued on the basis of subsidiary protection. 

How will the validity periods of international protection permits be shortened?

Previously, the validity period of first residence permits and extended permits issued on the basis of asylum and subsidiary protection was four years. 

From 2 January 2025 onwards, these permits will be issued as follows:

• Asylum is granted for three years.
• An extended permit on the basis of refugee status is issued for three years. 
• The first residence permit on the basis of subsidiary protection is issued for one year.
• An extended permit based on subsidiary protection is issued for two years.

The validity of your current residence permit will remain unchanged

The above changes only apply to residence permits on the basis of international protection issued from 2 January 2025 onwards.

If you currently have a valid residence permit on the basis of international protection, no action is needed from you. Your residence permit will be valid until the expiry date marked on your residence permit card.

What does the temporary nature of international protection mean?

The temporary nature of international protection means that the Finnish Immigration Service will assess the need for continued international protection more frequently than before. Residence permits issued on the basis of international protection will continue to be type A permits, in other words, permanent residence permits, but the aim is to grant international protection to the customer only for the necessary amount of time. Examples of factors that may influence the need for continued protection:

• the safety situation in your home country has changed since you were granted international protection
• you have travelled to your country of residence or former country of permanent residence
• you have obtained a passport issued by your country of nationality.

Criminal activity will have a greater impact on granting and ending international protection

The legislative amendment adds new grounds for refusal to grant international protection and for its ending. Please visit our website to learn more about circumstances where international protection may be refused.

Please visit our website to learn more about circumstances where the Finnish Immigration Service may end your refugee status or subsidiary protection status. 

Language versions

• Amharic: ከ 2.1 2025 ጀምሮ ለአለም አቀፍ ጥበቃ ፈቃዶች የተደረጉ ለውጦች
• Arabic: 2025/1/2 التغييرات على تراخيص الحماية الدولية ابتداءً من 
• Dari: 2025/1/2 تغییرات در جوازهای اقامت حفاظت بین المللی از 
• Franch: Modifications concernant les permis basés sur la protection internationale à partir du 02/01/2025
• Georgian: ცვლილებები საერთაშორისო დაცვის ნებართვებში 2025 წლის 2 იანვრიდან
• Kurmanji: Ji 2/1/2025 ve guherîn li îqameyên parastina navneteweyî dibin
• Pashto: د نړیوالې ژغورنې جوازونو کې بدلونونه د ۲.۱.۲۰۲۵ څخه پیل کیږي
• Persian: 2025/1/2 تغییرات در اجازه‌های اقامت حفاظت بین المللی از 
• Rwanda: Ibihinduka ku mpushya z'ubuhungiro bwo mu rwego mpuzamahanga guhera ku wa 2.1.2025
• Somali: Isbeddello lagu samaynaayo oggolaanshaha badbaadada caalamiga ah, laga bilaabo 2.1.2025
• Sorani: گۆڕانکاری لە مۆڵەتی پاراستنی نێودەوڵەتی لە ٢/١/٢٠٢٥وە
• Spanish: Cambios en los permisos de protección internacional a partir del 2.1.2025
• Turkish: Uluslararası koruma izinlerine ilişkin bazı değişiklikler 2.1.2025 itibarıyla yürürlüğe giriyor

Versions in Russian will be added later.

Updated 2.1.2025: More language versions added.

Updated 3.1.2025: More language versions added.