FAQs about the situation in Iran
We have put together answers to frequently asked questions about the situation in Iran. We will update the answers as the situation evolves.
This page was last updated on 4 July 2025.
Kieliversiot:
1. Can you speed up the processing of my application, or my family members' applications, because of the security situation in my country of residence?
We are monitoring the development of the situation and will take it into account as far as possible when processing applications. You do not need to send in a separate request to speed up the process.
The residence permit applications of unaccompanied minors and the applications submitted by family members of a minor (sponsor) who is already living in Finland with a residence permit are processed urgently. Other applications are processed in the order of arrival. If we need additional information concerning your application, we will contact you.
2. I cannot go to the embassy in Tehran to be identified for my residence permit application. Can I identify myself anywhere else?
Decisions about where you can use identification services are made by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. For more information, visit the websites of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Finland's missions (finlandabroad.fi). Select your country of origin on the home page. The pages on individual countries explain which mission or VFS centre you can visit to identify yourself. The Finnish Immigration Service has no say over the mission you need to visit.
For more information: Handling your matters at a Finnish mission.
3. I submitted a residence permit application using Enter Finland and should identify myself at the embassy in Tehran. As it is currently not possible to book an appointment for identification there, can you process my application without identification?
Your application cannot be processed without you identifying yourself in person. During the identification, we will verify your identity. If you are unable to book an appointment for identification within 3 months, inform us about this by message using the Enter Finland service.
4. My Afghan family members live in Iran and would now like to come to Finland. What should I do?
The situation in Iran is difficult and we understand your concern about your family members. Unfortunately, as an authority we cannot make an exception to the permit processes laid down by law:
- A person moving to Finland needs a residence permit. Applications for the first residence permit should be submitted to a Finnish mission before arriving in Finland. To apply for a residence permit, the applicant needs to visit a mission to be identified. For more information about residence permit applications, visit the page First residence permit.
- In visa matters, you can contact the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. A visa is a permit to enter the country for a short-term or temporary period of residence of no more than 90 days. For more information about applying for a visa as well as periods of validity of visas and the fees charged for them, visit the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (um.fi).
- An asylum application can only be submitted by a person who is already in Finland. For more information about applying for asylum, visit Asylum in Finland.
5. I have been granted a residence permit, but I am unable to travel to Finland because I have not yet received a residence permit card. What should I do?
Due to the situation in Iran, there is a delay in the delivery of residence permit cards. However, the embassy in Tehran is currently able to issue residence permit cards to those who have received a positive residence permit decision and whose card is already at the embassy. Contact the embassy in Tehran and agree with the embassy about how you can obtain your residence permit card.
6. I am a citizen of Afghanistan and I live in Iran. I have applied for a residence permit in Finland, and my visa issued by Iran is about to expire. What should I do
We are not always able to make a decision on a customer's application before their visa issued by Iran expires. However, the expiry of the visa is not a sufficient reason for speeding up the processing of the application. You can ask the local authorities if the validity of the visa could be extended.
The residence permit applications of unaccompanied minors and the applications submitted by family members of a minor (sponsor) who is already living in Finland with a residence permit are processed urgently. Other applications are processed in the order of arrival. If we need additional information concerning your application, we will contact you.
7. My family member has a residence permit in Finland but they cannot travel here because the airports in Iran are closed. How can they get to Finland?
The Finnish Immigration Service has no control over travel arrangements to other countries.
8. My family member was issued with a residence permit in Finland, and their residence permit card was sent to the mission in Tehran. They have left Iran because of the bombardment, however. How can they get their residence permit card?
Your family member should contact the mission in Tehran to try and agree on how they can get their residence permit card.
9. My friend is visiting Iran with an alien's passport and a valid residence permit issued by Finland. They are having problems with their documents on the border between Turkey and Iran. What should they do?
The Finnish Immigration Service cannot comment on how you should deal with authorities in other countries.