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Temporary protection

Traveling from Finland 

When you have been issued with a residence permit on the basis of temporary protection, you may travel in the Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days out of any 180-day period. When you travel, you must have your valid passport and residence permit card with you. Notify your reception centre of your intention to travel. 

Please note that Ukrainian citizens must have a biometric passport to be able to travel within the Schengen area without a visa. Read more about the travel documents accepted by Finland on the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs (um.fi).

Validity of residence permit cards

All residence permit cards issued on the basis of temporary protection are currently valid in Finland until 4 March 2027 even if the expiry date printed on the card is 4 March 2023, 4 March 2024, 4 March 2025 or 4 March 2026. The cards are valid in Finland. If you travel to a country other than Finland, make sure you have the necessary travel documents, also for returning to Finland. 

The Finnish Border Guard decides whether a foreign citizen may cross the border into Finland. See the Finnish Border Guard’s guidelines for travellers (raja.fi).

If you are going leave Finland but intend to come back soon, you need to inform your reception centre of your travel intentions

Send them the following information:

  • when you intend to leave Finland and how long you intend to stay outside Finland
  • the date on which you will return to Finland, if known.

Include in your statement:

  • your first and last name 
  • your Finnish Immigration Service customer number.

Send the statement  

  • to your own reception centre. You will find the contact information of reception centres on the page Reception centres. 

Please note: If you have also applied for asylum and you leave Finland, even for a short time, the Finnish Immigration Service will issue an expiry decision on your asylum application.

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If you have applied for temporary protection and will leave Finland permanently: Withdrawal of applications or permits