The year 2009 was a time of varying numbers
Annual report of the Finnish Immigration Service 2009
The year 2009 was a year of varying numbers for the Finnish Immigration Service. The total number of residence permit applications fell and the employment-based applications saw a drop by nearly a half. On the other hand, the number of submitted applications for family reunification and asylum rose higher than ever before.
Controlled increased immigration is the guiding principle of the Finnish government’s immigration policy. The grounds are clear: Finland is providing against future labour shortages. From the perspective of the Finnish Immigration Service the increase is placing a severe strain on resources. In 2006 the Finnish Immigration Service received nearly 35,000 cases to be processed. By 2009 this number had grown to 47,700. According to a realistic prognosis the number reaches 60,000 over the next few years.
– I believe the majority of Finns will accept immigration if it is controlled and if immigrants are given sufficient opportunities to integrate. We cannot halt immigration, but we can manage it. Controlled immigration is in the best interest of all, says Director General Jorma Vuorio.
The Finnish Immigration Service is seen as an interesting workplace
People are very interested in immigration issues. One of the indicatives of this is the avalanche of job applications the Finnish Immigration Service received: in 2009 the number was over 5,100.
The number of employees rose in a year by 30 per cent, i.e. by 80 persons, as the parliament granted the Finnish Immigration Service supplementary appropriation of four million euros in all. At the same time the Finnish Immigration Service broadened geographically to two new cities, Oulu and Imatra.
The annual report 2009 of the Finnish Immigration Service and it’s statistical appendix can be read on the website www.migri.fi > Info Bank > Publications.
Further information for the media: Director General Jorma Vuorio,
tel. 071 873 0431, e-mail: jorma.vuorio@migri.fi
16.4.2010
