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Frequently asked questions: Fast track service

Application process

Question: I have already applied for a permit without using the fast track service. Can I change my application into a fast-track application? 

No, you cannot make changes in your application after you have submitted it. 

Question: The time limit of 14 days has passed and a notification from Enter Finland said that my application could not be fast-tracked. Why? What happens now? When do I get a decision? 

Here are some examples of why an application cannot be fast-tracked: 

  • all requirements for the application are not met; 
  • you have not added all the required attachments to the application; 
  • your employer has not filled in the conditions of employment within two working days after you submitted your application (this does not apply to start-up entrepreneurs or family members); 
  • you have not proved your identity at a Finnish mission or an application centre within five working days of submitting your application. 

If your application could not be fast-tracked, its processing follows the regular processing times, which vary depending on the type of application. 

Question: When filling in my application in Enter Finland, I opted to prove my identity at a Finnish mission. I changed my mind and want to visit a VFS Global application centre instead. Is that possible? Can I change my service point of choice if I already have selected a Finnish mission as the place where I prove my identity?  

Yes, you can change the service point you selected. Find the relevant contact details on the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and book an appointment as instructed. Please note that you might not be able to secure an appointment within five working days if you change your service point. 

Question: Can I submit a fast-track application if I am in Finland? Can I apply for an extended permit using the fast-track service?

If you already are in Finland, you cannot submit a fast-track application. It is not possible to apply for an extended permit using the fast-track service.

Employer

Question: My employer is not able to fill in the conditions of employment because their suomi.fi identification does not work for some reason. What happens with my fast-track application? Will this slow down the processing? 

If your employer does not fill in the conditions of employment in Enter Finland for Employers within two working days after you have submitted your own application, your application will not be fast-tracked. Instead, your application will follow the regular processing times, which depend on the type of application. 

Family members

Question: My spouse has not received the code. What should we do?  

If you added the email address of your spouse to your application but he or she did not receive the code, please contact esupport@migri.fi. 

Question: My spouse is already in Finland (start-up entrepreneur). Can I and our child apply using the fast track service? 

If your spouse is already in Finland, you cannot apply using the fast track service. When using the fast track service, family members must apply at the same time as the sponsor. 

Payment

Question: I do not have a credit card and I cannot pay for my application in Enter Finland. How can I use the fast track service if I pay for my application later at the Finnish mission? 

It is not possible to apply using the fast track service if you do not pay for the application in Enter Finland before submitting it. 

Question: I could not pay for my application in Enter Finland. Can my employer pay for my application? Will my application be fast-tracked even though I cannot pay for the application in Enter Finland?

If you apply for a residence permit using the fast-track service, you must pay the processing fee for your application in Enter Finland before submitting the application. Your employer cannot pay for your fast-track application. 

If you are unable to pay for your application in Enter Finland, you must submit a normal application. In that case, the processing of your application will follow the regular processing times, which vary depending on the type of application.

D visa

Question: I have a residence permit in another EU country. Can I apply for a D visa?

If you have a residence permit in another EU country, you do not need a visa to enter Finland.

Question: Can I submit a fast-track application without applying for a D visa?

You can apply for a residence permit using the fast-track service without applying for a D visa. If you arrive from a country whose citizens are required to have a visa and you want to arrive in Finland immediately after receiving a positive decision on your application, you must also apply for a D visa. If you arrive from a visa-free country, you do not need a D visa. 

Question: I need to come to Finland urgently and start working immediately. Can I apply for a D visa now and apply for a residence permit later when I have arrived in Finland?  

No, you cannot. You must have a residence permit in order to work in Finland. Fast-track applications can only be submitted abroad, not in Finland.