Year 2007 opened a period of changes

The last year of the Directorate of Immigration, 2007, was a time of major changes. At the end of the year the name was changed to the Finnish Immigration Service, following the government program. At the same time the visual image was renewed and more attention than earlier was drawn to openness and development of active customer service. The second cabinet of Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen brought up the promotion of employment-based immigration, where the Immigration Service is one of the focal operators.

– Immigration issues are a matter of rather great importance in the European Union. Within the EU framework, decisions are constantly made that will have an impact on the operation of the Finnish Immigration Service after taking effect as legislation, explains Director General Jorma Vuorio.

Finland’s first Minister of Migration and European Affairs, Astrid Thors, launched an extensive project, lead by Ambassador Ole Norrback, with the objective of improving the operations of the immigration administration and the Finnish Immigration Service.

– The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of spring 2008, and we have great hopes for it, says Mr Vuorio.

Better service for all

The current slogan of the Finnish Immigration Service is ”Better service for all”. To prepare for this, we analysed how our most important interest groups understand the work of the Immigration Service and what they wish for it. Last year we also decided to establish an Advisory Board for the Immigration Service, and officials, labour market players, civic organisations and immigrant representatives were invited to participate.

– It is our duty to make sure that that the good ideas and initiatives by the Advisory Board with a wide expertise will be put into practice at the Immigration Service, emphasizes Mr. Vuorio, chairman of the Board.

An important step in long-term development of customer services was taken at the beginning of October, when the position of Director of Customer Service was created. The central target of the Director of Customer Service Hanna Koskinen is to develop the Finnish Immigration Service into a genuine service organisation, in which the foundations of planning the operations are customer-oriented.

The annual report of the Finnish Immigration Service (Directorate of Immigration) can be read on the website www.migri.fi > About us > Publications.

Further information for media: Director of Communications Tarja-Riitta Nissinen, tel. 071 873 0431, e-mail: tarja-riitta.nissinen@migri.fi

25.4.2008