Queues in the processing of citizenship applications continue

The Finnish Immigration Service received over 30% more citizenship applications in 2014 than during the previous year. This has created a bottleneck, and processing times for citizenship applications have been longer than normal since the beginning of 2015.

Different processing clerks handle different types of applications

At the Nationality Unit, applications are divided between processing clerks according to type. This ensures that all queues are kept moving at all times. Applications are divided between clerks as follows:

• Applications from passport holders
  • Applications from passport holders that are filled in accurately
  • Other applications from passport holders
• Applications from refugees
• Others

The estimated processing times for all types of applications can be followed on our website under Processing times.

Applications from passport holders that are filled in accurately are handled most rapidly. Remember that your application will take longer to process if we need to make additional enquiries, so please fill in your application carefully. This is for your own benefit, as it will allow us to give you a decision sooner.

Make your application easily via the Enter Finland service

You can submit your citizenship application via our new online service Enter Finland. Filing your application electronically can make it quicker for us to process your application, as any necessary additional enquiries will be sent to the right place automatically. Applying online is also cheaper, and you can use the service to track the progress of your application.

If we send you a request for additional information, always use the “Reply to request” button. If you reply by other means, such as by email, the additional information that you are providing will not automatically be linked to our request, and it will therefore take us longer to process your application.