Press releases

Competitive tendering procedure for IT services related to immigration matters completed

The Finnish Immigration Service has now completed the competitive tendering procedure for procurement of specialist services for the maintenance and development of the agency’s information resources and services and the digital case management system for immigration matters (UMA).

New border procedure introduced on 1 September 2024

The legislative amendments that introduce a new border procedure have now entered into force. The amendments also include new grounds for using an accelerated procedure to process asylum applications at the Finnish Immigration Service. The amendments concern the Aliens Act, and they are not connected with the border security act that was adopted on 16 July 2024.

Finnish Immigration Service to change income thresholds for residence permits as of 1 November 2024

The income thresholds determined by the Finnish Immigration Service will increase in the beginning of November. The increase of the income thresholds is an overall increase. The update of the general income thresholds is based on statistics from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) regarding the average expenses and income of beneficiaries of social assistance in 2023.

Processing times for students’ residence permit applications continue to improve despite increasing numbers

The numbers of students' first residence permit applications have continued to increase. By the end of July 2024, 9,293 applications had been submitted, whereas the corresponding figure in 2023 was 8,762.

Wild-berry pickers are applying for a residence permit for the first time – all applications have been processed

Wild-berry pickers who come from Thailand to Finland are required to have a residence permit for an employed person this summer. All pickers have received a decision on their residence permit application.

The Finnish Immigration Service is reducing the amount of accommodation in the reception system

The Finnish Immigration Service is continuously assessing the need for accommodation in the reception system and its cost-effectiveness. The agency regulates the number of places in the system according to the current need.

“Football Belongs to Everyone” tour in reception units – Football serves as a bridge between different cultures

The Football Players Association of Finland (FPA), reception units, the Finnish Immigration Service and the Football Association of Finland have joined forces this year, too, to carry out the “Football Belongs to Everyone” tour in reception units throughout Finland.

Finnish Immigration Service’s chatbot partly disabled – customer data has not been compromised

The Finnish Immigration Service suspects that the place in queue feature of the Kamu chatbot in the agency’s online services has been used for purposes other than tracking applicants’ or employees’ applications. The personal data of customers has not been compromised.

Finnish Immigration Service introduces automated post-decision monitoring of specialists' residence permits

Summer berry season: Ukrainians employed on farms; Thai wild berry pickers must have an employment contract for the first time

Finnish Immigration Service reforms organisational structure to enhance ability to address changes in security environment and meet Government Programme targets

European Migration Network Annual Report 2023: An increasing number of immigrants continue to work in Finland

New programme set up for the steering and monitoring of the assistance system for victims of human trafficking

Finnish Immigration Service rectified its procurement decisions concerning reception centres

Arrangements discussed to transfer funds from discontinued payment cards of clients of Prison and Probation Service and Finnish Immigration Service

Finnish Immigration Service introduces automated post-decision monitoring of startup entrepreneurs' permits

Finnish Immigration Service’s report on operations for 2023 has been published

Tendering process for reception centres completed

Finnish Immigration Service invites tenders for IT specialist services

The number of victims of human trafficking continues to be high – most cases of exploitation concern forced labour