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Permits and citizenship

Deportation and denial of admittance or stay

If you do not get a residence permit, you have to leave Finland

If you have applied for a residence permit and received a negative decision on your application, you have to leave Finland.

If you have appealed the decision, you are allowed to wait for the Administrative Court’s decision in Finland. If you apply to the Supreme Administrative Court for leave to appeal, this will not prevent the enforcement of the negative decision unless the Supreme Administrative Court expressly orders that it may not be enforced.

Decision on denial of admittance or stay

If you receive a negative decision on your application, you will also receive a decision on denial of admittance or stay. If you object to being denied admittance or stay because your human rights or safety would be endangered in your home country or country of permanent residence, you can lodge an application for international protection with the police or the border control authorities. Read more about grounds for asylum.

You are given the opportunity to leave Finland voluntarily within the time limit set for voluntary return. The time limit is short, usually 30 days. The time limit for voluntary return is counted from the date you are informed of the decision, unless an administrative court prohibits the enforcement of the decision. If an administrative court prohibits the enforcement of the decision, the time limit is counted from the date of the administrative court’s decision. If you wish to return to your home country voluntarily, you can apply for assisted voluntary return. Read more about assisted voluntary return on the page Return to your home country.

If you do not leave Finland, the police or the Border Guard will enforce the decision on denial of admittance or stay. In other words, they will remove you from the country.

You will also be prohibited from entering the Schengen area if any of the following conditions apply to you:

  • Your application was rejected because you have evaded immigration regulations, for example by entering a sham marriage.
  • You are considered to present a danger to public order or security, for example because you have committed crimes.
  • You have applied for international protection and your application has been rejected after expedited processing.
  • You do not leave Finland voluntarily within the time limit given to you.

More information about denial of admittance or stay for asylum seekers can be found on the page Asylum in Finland – Denial of admittance or stay.

If a prohibition of entry is issued to you, you cannot visit Finland or other Schengen countries while it is in force.

Decision on deportation

If you have already had a residence permit in Finland but you do not get an extended permit, the Finnish Immigration Service will decide on your deportation. You may also be deported if you have committed crimes in Finland. If you object to being deported because your human rights or safety would be endangered in your home country or country of permanent residence, you can lodge an application for international protection with the police or the border control authorities. Read more about grounds for asylum.

If you have a valid residence permit when you are deported, the residence permit will be cancelled.

You are given the opportunity to leave Finland voluntarily within the time limit set for voluntary return. The time limit is short, usually 30 days.The time limit is counted from the date when the deportation decision becomes final. You may appeal against the deportation decision to the Administrative Court. In that case, the time limit is counted from the date when you receive the Administrative Court’s decision. If the Supreme Administrative Court prohibits the enforcement of the decision, the time limit is counted from the date of the Supreme Administrative Court’s decision. If you wish to return to your home country voluntarily, you can apply for assisted voluntary return. Read more about assisted voluntary return on the page Return to your home country.

If you do not leave Finland, the police or the Border Guard will enforce the deportation. In other words, they will remove you from the country.

You will also be prohibited from entering the Schengen area if any of the following conditions apply to you:

  • Your application for an extended permit was rejected because you have evaded immigration regulations, for example by entering a sham marriage.
  • You are considered to present a danger to public order or security, for example because you have committed crimes.
  • You do not leave Finland voluntarily within the time limit given to you.

More information about denial of admittance or stay for asylum seekers can be found on the page Asylum in Finland – Denial of admittance or stay.

If a prohibition of entry is issued to you, you cannot visit Finland or other Schengen countries while it is in force.