Kela is responsible for providing social security and social assistance
The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) is responsible for the social security of individuals living or working in Finland in different life situations. Kela grants allowances for families with children, old-age pensions, housing and sickness allowances, unemployment benefits and student financial aid.
Individuals permanently residing in Finland are entitled to benefits provided by Kela. The life situation of each applicant is considered separately and Kela examines on a case-by-case basis whether the conditions for receiving the benefits are met. Kela grants unemployment benefits to unemployed immigrants that have registered as unemployed jobseekers at a TE Office.
Kela provides information and services in several different languages, including plain Finnish and Swedish. Kela also cooperates with InfoFinland, which offers multilingual material and information in plain languages.
The Finnish Immigration Service is responsible for permit matters and reception centres
Operating under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior, the Finnish Immigration Service is a decision-making organisation in immigration, asylum, refugee and citizenship matters. The agency maintains the register of aliens and its task is to implement Finland’s immigration policy, promote controlled immigration, good governance and human rights.
The Finnish Immigration Service grants residence permits and EU citizens’ rights of residence to foreigners arriving in Finland. The Finnish Immigration Service also processes asylum and citizenship applications and guides the reception activities of asylum seekers and beneficiaries of temporary protection.
The Finnish Immigration Service distributes the Welcome to Finland guide, which contains information on Finnish society. A government agency gives the guide to its customers when they are notified of the granting of the residence permit, their right of residence is registered or when they are issued with the residence card or assigned a home municipality and their details are entered in the Population Information System.
Finnish Border Guard is responsible for managing border crossing situations
Operating under the auspices of the Ministry of the Interior, the Finnish Border Guard is responsible for guarding Finland’s borders and for border security. The Finnish Border Guard is responsible for inspections at the Finnish borders carried out at the external borders of the Schengen Area. The Finnish Border Guard receives asylum applications, registers applicants and provides basic information on the asylum process.
THL promotes comprehensive wellbeing
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) promotes health and wellbeing through a range of different measures, research and expert knowledge. THL focuses on strengthening the welfare society, reducing inequality and social exclusion, diseases and changes in them, preparing for health threats and changes in the service system.
THL conducts extensive research on immigration, integration and cultural diversity and it works in close cooperation with other actors promoting immigrant integration. In addition to Finnish, Swedish and English, THL also provides information in several other languages.
Digital and Population Data Services Agency works to make public administration services more accessible
The Digital and Population Data Services Agency was born when the Population Register Centre, Local Register Offices and the steering and development unit of the Local Register Offices were merged in 2020. The agency promotes digitalisation, safeguards the availability of information and offers a range of different services.
The agency maintains the Population Information System, which contains the basic details of Finnish citizens and foreigners living in Finland. The system is an information management tool, and government agencies, companies and other entities can use the information stored in the system in elections, taxation and research. In order to receive a Finnish personal identity code, an individual must be registered in the Population Information System.
The Digital and Population Data Services Agency distributes the Welcome to Finland guide, which contains information on Finnish society. A government agency gives the guide to its customers when they are notified of the granting of the residence permit, their right of residence is registered or when they are issued with the residence card or assigned a home municipality and their details are entered in the Population Information System.
Finnish Tax Administration collects the taxes
The Finnish Tax Administration is responsible for tax collection, tax control and debiting of taxes. It also supervises the interests of tax recipients and works to ensure fair and uniform taxation.
An individual who enters Finland and stays here for more than six months must pay taxes on their income received in Finland or in other countries. The amount of taxes that individuals have to pay depends on such matters as income, location of the workplace and studies. The Finnish Tax Administration issues personal IDs and tax cards for taxation purposes.
The police supervise public order and safety
The task of the police is to ensure the safety of citizens and their living environment. The police prevent and investigate crimes and submit suspected offences to prosecutors for consideration. The police also issue personal identity cards, passports, driving licences and various permits.
The duties of the police also include receiving asylum applications, registration of applicants, provision of information on the asylum process, refusal of entry and notification of decisions under which an individual is removed from Finland.
The police participate in the work promoting immigrant integration in a wide range of different fields and cooperate with authorities and other local, regional and national actors. The police treat all citizens fairly and work to reduce inequality. The aim is that the police does not differentiate between groups of people.
The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman promotes non-discrimination and takes action in cases involving discrimination
The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman is an independent authority tasked with promoting non-discrimination, human rights and the legal protection of individuals in Finland. The Ombudsman promotes the rights and status of foreigners and has wide powers to obtain information in matters concerning foreigners. The Ombudsman’s tasks also include reporting on human trafficking, monitoring the enforcement of decisions concerning removal from the country and developing the process into a more humane one.
The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman offers advice, conducts investigations, acts as a mediator, provides training, collects information and influences legislation. The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman engages in extensive stakeholder cooperation. Individuals can contact the Non-Discrimination Ombudsman if they have experienced or witnessed discrimination.
Finnish diplomatic missions abroad
Finnish diplomatic missions abroad serve Finnish citizens and Finnish society as part of Finland’s foreign affairs administration. The missions grant visas, receive citizenship notifications and residence permit applications, and offer assistance and advice.
The missions distribute the guide Welcome to Finland, which contains information on Finnish society. A government agency gives the guide to its customers when they are notified of the granting of the residence permit, their right of residence is registered or when they are issued with the residence card or assigned a home municipality and their details are entered in the Population Information System.
