Press releases

Year 2025 of Finnish Immigration Service: Cost-efficiency, implementation of Government Programme and tense operating environment of immigration emphasised

For the Finnish Immigration Service, the year 2025 was characterised by changes in immigration policy in Europe and in OECD reference countries, conflicts in Europe’s neighbouring regions, challenges faced by the Finnish economy, and the implementation of numerous legislative amendments. In this operating environment, the importance of cost-efficiency as well as proactive and strategic management was further emphasised. The agency continued to focus on ensuring the security of the residence permit system and preventing misuse, streamlining the processing of applications and improving the cost-efficiency of operations.

Finnish Immigration Service to assess security situation of Iran, decisions on asylum applications partly paused

As the security situation in Iran has changed due to large demonstrations and the use of violence by security forces, the decision-making on asylum applications submitted by Iranians is partly paused.

Immigration statistics 2025: Immigration to Finland decreasing

Application volumes are decreasing in many permit types. Fewer applications have been submitted by employees, students and applicants for international protection. However, there has been a slight increase in the number of applications from family members.

Increased customer demand and reduced personnel resources affect the Finnish Immigration Service’s customer service

Savings in central government finances affect the Finnish Immigration Service's work in many ways. The agency is obliged to adjust its activities to the reduced resources. Cuts in personnel numbers will contribute to a drop in service levels.

Aliens Act's provisions on permanent residence permit amended as of 8 January 2026

The requirements for obtaining a permanent residence permit become stricter as of 8 January 2026. New integration requirements for permanent residence permit applicants have been added to the Aliens Act.

Amendments to Citizenship Act enter into force on 17 December 2025

The requirements for acquiring Finnish citizenship have been made stricter. The amendments to the Citizenship Act which enter into force on 17 December 2025 concern the requirement for sufficient financial resources, the integrity requirement, and the loss of citizenship. The amendments to the Citizenship Act apply to all citizenship applications submitted on or after 17 December 2025.

Temporary protection no longer granted to applicants who already hold a residence permit on the basis of temporary protection in another EU Member State

Following recent decisions by the Court of Justice of the European Union and the Council of the European Union, the Finnish Immigration Service has changed its decision-making practice and, as a rule, will no longer grant temporary protection to applicants who already hold a residence permit issued on the basis of temporary protection in another EU Member State. According to the Council decision made in July 2025, the main principle is that a person can benefit from the rights linked to temporary protection only in one Member State at a time. Following this principle will help countries control and avoid overlapping registrations. The Finnish Immigration Service started preparing its new guidelines after the Council decision was issued.

Finnish Immigration Service has updated its application volume forecasts

The foresight network of the Finnish Immigration Service has updated its application volume projections for the end of 2025 and for the year 2026. The foresight network consists of experts who meet three times a year to make quantitative and qualitative forecasts about migration to Finland and about asylum seekers arriving in Finland.

Increase in number of international students’ applications halted – decline in number of asylum seekers continued

Determination of citizenship status and definition of national travel document for residence permit applications reviewed by Finnish Immigration Service

Finnish Immigration Service resumes issuing asylum decisions for Syrians

Finnish Immigration Service to review its policy on which travel documents can be accepted for a residence permit application

Asylum not automatically granted to all Palestinians from Gaza

Cooperation helps combat human trafficking

Decline in number of work-based residence permit applications – growing number stay in Finland after completing a degree

Summer berry season: Wild-berry pickers apply for permits under the Seasonal Workers Act for first time

Support and assistance for returning to Syria available

Number of asylum seekers declining, work-based residence permits expected to rise next year – Finnish Immigration Service updated estimates of future application numbers

Legislative amendments and new requirements for family reunification

Changes to work-based residence permits – protection period for unemployment and new notification obligation for employers