People fleeing Ukraine applying for temporary protection – first decisions issued

Since Russia’s attack on Ukraine, 2,395 citizens of Ukraine have sought international protection in Finland. On Thursday 10 March, 648 Ukrainians applied for international protection in Finland. Most were seeking temporary protection.

‘More than two million people have left Ukraine. Although only a fraction of them have arrived in Finland, we have still seen an increase in the number of Ukrainians seeking international protection in Finland as well,’ says Antti Lehtinen, Director of the Asylum Unit.

Like other EU Member States, Finland is granting temporary protection to Ukrainians fleeing the Russian war in Ukraine. Temporary protection and seeking asylum are two different things. Temporary protection is granted for a restricted group, and no individual assessment of the need of protection is conducted as with asylum seekers.

Temporary protection is sought from the Finnish Police or Border Guard. The Finnish Immigration Service grants the temporary protection residence permit. Since 8 March, most of the Ukrainians seeking international protection have applied for temporary protection, and the first decisions on such cases have already been issued. Temporary protection includes a right to work and study after a residence permit has been granted. 

Ukrainians who have already applied for asylum can also apply for temporary protection. Processing the already submitted asylum application will be put on hold until the residence permit based on temporary protection is granted. 

Increase in places in reception centres

The Finnish Immigration Service has increased the number of places available for accommodation in reception centres. The increase is aimed at preparing for the possible increasing number of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Finland.

Around 2,000 new places have been established in existing reception centres. For now, new reception centres or emergency accommodation units have not been opened.
There are 27 reception centres around Finland, of which 7 are for minors. After the increase made, there are currently 1,500 vacant places in reception centres.

Just like asylum seekers, persons under temporary protection can live at a reception centre, and they are eligible for the different reception centre services. Reception centre customers can also find a place to stay themselves if they wish, in which case the term ‘private accommodation’ is used. They are also eligible for other reception services such as social and healthcare services and the reception allowance, provided by the reception centre when necessary.

Finland is prepared for the growing number of Ukrainian refugees

The Finnish Immigration Service is closely monitoring migration at the Finnish borders and in Europe in collaboration with the other authorities. Finnish reception centres are prepared to further increase the number of accommodation places from the current level if the number of people fleeing Ukraine to Finland increases.

‘It is important that voluntary transport organisers notify the Finnish Immigration Service in advance to allow the authorities to prepare for the related accommodation need and the needs of the people arriving on the transport,’ says Pekka Nuutinen, Director of the Reception Unit.

The Finnish Immigration Service is prepared to make agreements on the establishment of new reception centres with municipalities, non-governmental organisations and companies if the situation requires it. Several municipalities have also addressed situations requiring a fast establishment of new facilities in their preparedness plans.

The Finnish Immigration Service is responsible for the coordination, planning and supervision of the reception system. Government reception centres are located in Helsinki, Lappeenranta (Joutseno) and Oulu. In addition, reception centres are maintained by non-governmental organisations, municipalities and companies.

Further information:

• Press release 9 March 2022 Finland grants temporary protection for people fleeing Ukraine – instrument used for the first time
• Press release 8 March 2022 The Red Cross supports the Finnish Immigration Service in providing information on how to help people suffering from the crisis in Ukraine
• Press release 3 March 2022 Migri asks for advance information about transport of Ukrainians to Finland

Further information for the media:

• Temporary protection, asylum seekers: Antti Lehtinen, Director of Asylum Unit, tel. +358 (0)295 433 135, email: firstname.lastname@migri.fi 
• Reception: 
  • Director-General, Jari Kähkönen, tel. 0295 433 037, email: firstname.lastname@migri.fi (11 March until 5.30 pm)
  • Director of the Reception Unit, Pekka Nuutinen, tel. 0295 433 037, email: firstname.lastname@migri.fi (11 March from 5.30 pm)
• Press and Communications Services of the Finnish Immigration Service, tel. 0295 433 037, email: media@migri.fi