Interview with a co-applicant under the age of 18

The Finnish Immigration Service hears all children in the family who are co-applicants and above the age of 12. We can also hear a younger child if it is deemed necessary after an individual consideration. Hearing a child below the age of 12 can be necessary, for example, when the family’s grounds for asylum are specifically connected with the child. In cases where the family has converted to Christianity, the children who have turned 7 are heard as a rule.

The Finnish Immigration Service usually hears the child and interviews the child’s parent or guardian on the same day. The parent or guardian is asked to be present at the hearing, but the child is also heard briefly without the presence of the parent or guardian. Children can be heard about their worries, violations of their rights and other important issues. 

The asylum interview instructions for co-applicants under the age of 18 can be found here: https://migri.fi/en/asyluminterview.