Decision-making on asylum applications from Syrians paused

Because the security situation in Syria has changed, we decided on Monday 9 December 2024 to pause the decision-making on asylum applications from Syrians.

The pause in decision-making concerns asylum applications and applications for an extended permit on the basis of refugee status or subsidiary protection status.  When the security situation of a country changes, it is often necessary to pause the issuing of asylum decisions while we assess the situation.

Decisions on asylum applications always require up-to-date information about the country’s situation. This information is actively being updated and collected from several different sources by the Finnish Immigration Service’s Country Information Unit. Because of the change of regime in Syria, the information we have about the country’s situation is not yet up to date. As soon as we have reviewed the information, we can continue issuing decisions on asylum applications from Syrians and on applications for extended permits from Syrians.

Because of the changed security situation, it is difficult to estimate when exactly we can continue making decisions on asylum applications and applications for an extended permit from Syrians. We will publish an announcement as soon as the decision-making can resume. Follow our updates on the page Updates about Syria.

Are you a Syrian citizen applying for asylum or for an extended permit?

Asylum applications can still be made even though the decision-making has been paused. You can still apply for asylum in Finland by telling the border control authorities or the police in Finland that you want to apply for asylum.

If you are applying for an extended permit on the basis of refugee status or subsidiary protection status, remember to submit your residence permit application before your current residence permit expires. Your right to work will remain valid if you submit your application for an extended permit on time.

Asylum interviews that have already been booked will be conducted as planned. However, no new asylum interviews are being scheduled for Syrian citizens at the moment.

Voluntary return

Assistance for voluntary return is currently not being granted for returning to Syria. We will inform of any changes on the page Updates about Syria.

Language versions

Versions in Arabic and Kurmanji will be added later.