Handling matters at a service point

You must fill in your application before you visit our service point. If you are not sure what application form you should use, use the Application Finder to find out.

Please see the web page of the application you are going to submit. On that page, you will find a link to an online application form, a printable version of the same application form and instructions for filling in the application.

You can apply for the following either in our e-service or on a paper application:

• residence permit
• EU registration
• residence card
• citizenship.

online or on a paper application. Applying online is in some cases less expensive, and online applications are processed more quickly.

For instructions on how to use the online service, see the page Online services. For residence permit instructions, see the page Applying for a residence permit.

You do not have to fill in an application form beforehand for the renewal of a residence permit card, an alien’s passport or a refugee travel document. The renewal of a residence permit card is a different matter than applying for an extended residence permit. You can find more information on renewing the card on the pages ‘Renewal of residence permit card’ and ‘Residence card and its renewal’.

Check the application form to see which attachments you need.

Remember to bring with you a recent passport photo or the passport photo code you got from a photographer, if you are applying for the following:

• residence permit
• residence card
• alien’s passport
• refugee travel document.

You do not need a passport photo for a citizenship application or EU registration.

The attachments must be in Finnish, Swedish or English.

See also ‘Tips for applying for a residence permit’.

Book an appointment at one of the service points in Finland in advance in our appointment system. Only use waiting numbers for urgent matters.

Read more on the page ‘Book an appointment’. Instructions can also be found on the pages How to book an appointment and Booking an appointment.

When you come to our service point, please bring with you:

• your filled-in application;
• the attachments given on the application form;
• a passport photo or the photograph retrieval code you received from the photo shop;
• the processing fee.

Show the official the originals of the attachments given on the application. If you are submitting your application on paper, bring with you copies of the original attachments. Also bring with you translations, if the attachments are in another language than Finnish, Swedish or English.

If you are under the age of 18, you and at least one of your guardians must personally visit the service point. If you have more than one guardian, you must attach to your application a written consent from your other guardians. If you are under the age of 15 and a representative has been appointed for you, your representative must visit the service point together with you. Your parent or guardian or your representative must prove his or her identity with an official identity document, such as a passport or identity card.

Guide dogs and service dogs are welcome to our service points.

Please see the following instructions if you are applying for a residence permit:

• Visual instruction: Prepare for your visit to a service point!
• Video: Preparing for a visit to a service point
• Remember to bring your passport to the service point!

Please be on time. When it is your turn, we will call you by name. If you are more than five minutes late, you will need to book a new appointment.  If you are not present when your appointment starts, you will lose the appointment and must book a new appointment. We cannot wait for you to arrive, as this means that other people are kept waiting.

If you cannot attend an appointment that you have booked at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service, remember to cancel your booking. Otherwise, you will be charged a fee of 50 euros.

If you have submitted your application in the online service, you can check its processing status there. You can also use the Processing Time Checker to see the estimated processing time of your application.

To find out more about how applications are processed, see the video ‘What happens to a residence permit application after the visit to a service point’. The video ‘How to use Enter Finland’ shows how you can check the status of your application.