|
Finland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Ministry of the Interior launched a project to assess the impact of future migration trends on immigration administration, especially on the functioning of and resources for the Finnish Immigration Service. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to assess protection needs |
The government submitted a legislative proposal to the parliament to introduce a border procedure that could be triggered by a government decision if an exceptionally large number of migrants arrive in a short period of time or if hybrid activities aiming to exploit migration were directed against Finland. However, the parliament did not manage to consider the proposal by the end of the electoral term (29 March 2023) and it was allowed to lapse. The next government will decide if the changes are proposed again. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Finland |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Access to procedure |
Government legislative proposal 132/2022 was submitted to parliament in order to enable applicants for international protection to be registered in the Civil Registry at an earlier stage and to ease the prerequisites for registration. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Finnish Immigration Service started to notify applicants, whenever possible, through phone or videoconferencing about the decision on their application. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Ministry of the Interior launched a project for preparing a series of legislative amendments that would ensure improved management of large-scale arrivals. The Reception Act and the Immigration Detention Act are both planned to be amended. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The Government Programme's proposal was under examination to eliminate the sufficient financial resources criteria for family reunifications initiated by minor beneficiaries of international protection. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Return of former applicants |
The Ministry of the Interior launched an update of the action plan for preventing illegal entry and residence for the period 2021-2024. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Resettlement and humanitarian admissions |
The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Employment and the Economy commissioned a joint study on the community sponsorship model to evaluate its feasibility within the Finnish context. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
A new act entered into force regulating the processing of personal data by all authorities involved in migration affairs. Corresponding amendments were made in the Reception Act, the Immigration Detention Act, the Integration Act and the Citizenship Act. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
A temporary amendment was passed to the Aliens Act to extend the period of an applicant's right to work. Applicants were temporarily able to work in agriculture, forestry, horticulture and fisheries without a waiting period and they could continue to work in these sectors longer, until they are in the country and receive material reception conditions, despite an enforceable removal decision. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The age limit for follow-up care for unaccompanied children was extended from 21 years to 25 years. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
A working group has been set up to draw up a new act to assist victims of human trafficking. The working group's mandate runs until the end of 2022. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
A horizontal action plan against trafficking in human beings was drafted and completed in the beginning of 2021. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
Several legislative amendments were introduced to prepare for the transfer of responsibility for organising health and social services, including integration services, from municipalities to wellbeing services counties. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Finland |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Access to procedure |
The Border Guard Act was amended to allow the authorities to centralise the reception of applicants at the border during an exceptionally high number of arrivals. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Finland |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
Law No 1294/2022 was adopted to improve the identification and referral of victims of trafficking and their right to services and assistance, irrespective of the progress of criminal proceedings. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Access to procedure |
The Finnish Immigration Service published a report on the duty of the authorities to clarify and gather information on immigration matters in general, including for asylum applications. The report forms part of the AMIF-funded MISEC project, which aims to strengthen cooperation between immigration and security authorities. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Following an ECHR decision at the end of 2019, the Finnish Immigration Service reviewed approximately 500 cases. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to process asylum applications |
An amendment to the Aliens Act defined the criteria for subsequent applications. |
FI LEG 01 2019 |
|
Finland |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Access to procedure |
Authorities may take and retain the travel documents of an applicant throughout the asylum procedure. |
FI LEG 01 2019 |
|
Finland |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
A subsequent application no longer prevents the enforcement of a removal decision if the subsequent application is deemed to be inadmissible and was submitted only for the purpose of delaying or impeding a removal. |
FI LEG 01 2019 |
|
Finland |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Special procedures to assess protection needs |
The Smart Border package was submitted to the parliament, bringing new technological means of processing at the border, concerning specifically the Aliens Act and other relevant legislative provisions. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Interpretation services |
The Finnish Immigration Service developed a quality assurance system for the interpretation services used during asylum interviews, in the framework of the AMIF-funded Tulppaani project. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Finland |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The start and end point of an applicant’s right to work was clarified. |
FI LEG 01 2019 |
|
Finland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Interpretation services |
The Tulppaani project developed a quality control model for interpretation during asylum interviews, using peer-to-peer review, random checks and new guidelines for interpreters. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |