Frequently asked questions: Processing times of asylum applications
What are the processing times for asylum applications?
Under law, asylum applications must be decided within 6 months.
Can the processing of an application take longer than 6 months?
Under law, the processing time may be longer than 6 months in the following cases:
A decision must be made within 15 months if:
- the case involves complicated issues related to factual or legal circumstances
- the Finnish Immigration Service currently has a large number of asylum applications that require processing at the same time
- you have not contributed to the examination of your matter to a sufficient degree. You have a legal obligation to contribute, which means that you are obliged to explain and provide evidence of why you are applying for asylum.
A decision must be made within 18 months if a longer time is needed to ensure a proper and reasoned investigation of your application.
If a decision cannot be made within the periods specified above because the situation in your country of departure is unstable, it must be made within 21 months.
What should I do if the processing of my application has taken longer than 6 months?
You do not need to contact the Finnish Immigration Service if the expected processing time of 6 months is about to be exceeded. We will send you a notification stating:
- that there is a delay in the processing of the application
- the reasons for the delay
- a new estimate of when you will receive a decision.
For more information on processing times, see the page Processing times.
