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Processing times for applications

You can check the estimated processing time for your application on this page. We will also explain why our processing times may vary.

These links will take you directly to the different sections of the page:

Estimated processing times for applications

The tables below contain the estimated processing times for different applications. There are two types of estimates: processing time in most cases and processing time in a minority of cases. If we have not started processing your application during the shorter estimated processing time, the longer estimate that is given in the tables is valid in your case.

In addition, the tables contain the statutory processing times of applications for which a certain processing time is required under law. Note that not all applications have a maximum processing time provided by law.

The processing time estimates are updated every 2 months.

Click on the links below to see the estimated processing times for different applications:

Residence permits on the basis of work

Residence permits for students and researchers

Residence permit on the basis of family ties

If you apply for a residence permit on the basis of family ties and your family member who lives in Finland or applies for a residence permit together with you has a pending application that is still being processed, your application cannot be decided before a decision is issued on your family member’s application.

Other residence permits, Brexit permits and residence permit card

EU citizens and family members

Finnish citizenship

Travel documents

International protection

Temporary protection

The estimated processing time for a temporary protection application is approximately 1 week if no additional information is needed for the application. When the decision is ready, the Finnish Immigration Service will send it to you by post. The Finnish Immigration Service estimates that the postal delivery will take approximately 1 week. This means that you will receive the decision within approximately 2 weeks from the day when you made your application. After a decision has been issued, the Finnish Immigration Service will order a residence permit card for you. At present, it takes approximately 2 weeks to get a residence permit card.

Withdrawal of entry ban

An entry ban may be withdrawn on the basis of a change in circumstances or for important personal reasons. For instructions on how to fill in and submit a withdrawal application, on processing fees and on the attachments required, see the page Withdrawal of entry ban.

What is meant by ‘estimated processing time’?

Estimated processing time includes the time your application is in the queue and the time it takes for us to process it. The estimated processing times are approximate estimates. The actual processing time of an application may differ from the estimate.

The estimated processing times are based on:

  • how long it has taken for most cases to be decided in the preceding months, and
  • how many similar applications the Finnish Immigration Service has received during the past 2 months.

We calculate two types of estimates: application processing time in most cases and application processing time in a minority of cases. This is because in a small percentage of cases, the decision will be issued clearly faster or clearly slower than in a majority of cases, for various reasons. 

  • If we do not need to request additional information for your application, the estimated processing time will likely be the shorter one of the two estimates.
  • If we have not started processing your application during the shorter estimated processing time, the longer estimate is valid in your case.

When does the expected processing time begin and end?

You do not need to contact us if the estimate has been exceeded

The Finnish Immigration Service will send you an automated message when the processing situation of your application changes. See the page Automated messages for more information on when you will receive a message from us. If you have submitted an online application, you will see the status of your application when you log in to your Enter Finland account. 

We will contact you if we need additional information from you. If you have questions about your application, you can contact us but please note that our customer service cannot give you exact details about the processing of your application.

Why do the processing times for applications vary?

The processing times of applications for residence permits, citizenship or EU registrations may vary depending on the grounds for your application. Possible reasons for variation in processing times include:

  • application requirements
    • Each application has requirements that must be met and that require investigation before a decision can be made.
    • Applications in which there is only a small number of requirements that require investigation can usually be processed faster.
  • number of applications from other applicants
    • The processing queue for a certain type of permit or application is longer if lots of people have applied.
    • The time that your application is waiting for its turn is included in the estimated processing time.
  • possibilities to use automation
    • We are often able to use assistive automation to process your application if you have completed all sections of the application form with care. In some cases, automated decisions are possible, too. Read more on the page Automation.
  • legislation
    • For some applications and permits, there is a maximum processing time laid down by law. Under law, these applications must be processed within a certain time.

The majority of applications are decided within the estimated processing time.

The processing time will be longer if additional information must be requested

The processing of your application may take longer than usual if your application is missing some information or attachments and we have to request additional information or documents.

In many cases, it is possible to process your application without requesting additional information from you if:

  • you submit the application when you already meet all the requirements
  • you use Enter Finland to apply online
  • you fill in all sections of the application form carefully and add all the required attachments 
  • you pay for your application in Enter Finland before you submit it.

Once the details listed above are in order, we are usually able to use automation. 

There are further reasons why it may take longer than usual to process your application:

  • We need to invite you to an interview.
  • The processing fee has not been paid.
  • Some of the requirements are not met, or you have requested an exception to a requirement.
  • Your application is waiting for information or documents from another authority, such as an interview with a Finnish mission.
    • Unfortunately, the Finnish Immigration Service cannot influence the waiting times of other authorities.

We will continue to process your application when we have received the necessary information and documents.

You can find answers to frequently asked questions about processing times on our website: Frequently asked questions about processing times.

Processing Time Checker

Check the processing time of your application

Select the application you submitted.

You will receive a decision on your application approximately on
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The processing of your application will take month(s)