Exceptions to the language skills requirement

If you are not able to learn languages, you can request an exception to the language skills requirement. Exceptions to the language skills requirement are made very rarely. The fee you pay for your citizenship application will not be refunded to you even if the decision on your application is negative. 

You can request an exception to the language skills requirement if:

• you are over 65 years old
• your health prevents you from learning the required language skills 
• you have arrived in Finland as an adult and are illiterate (unable to read and write)
• you have an otherwise very weighty reason for granting an exception.

The Finnish Immigration Service will take into account all certificates and all information it has about you when it assesses your application. If you request an exception to the language skills requirement, the processing of your application will often take longer than usual because the Finnish Immigration Service will likely need to ask you for additional information.