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The purpose of the Aliens Act is to implement and promote good governance and legal protection in aliens matters.

The conditions and practices for moving to Finland vary depending on whether a person moves to Finland from an EU country or outside the EU and whether they move here to study or short-term seasonal work, for example. This page includes examples of the most typical situations.

The Finnish Immigration Service provides services related to residence in Finland and Finnish citizenship The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) is responsible for the granting of residence permits, residence rights and citizenships to people who...

Promotion of integration in figures Immigration of foreign citizens in 2022 • A total of 42,470 foreign citizens moved to Finland (Statistics Finland). • Work was the most common reason for the first residence permit (Finnish Immigration Service)....

Give feedback Feedback will be processed during office hours and will be replied to within 14 days. We can respond to feedback and questions only if contact details are provided on the form (email address or name and address). We adhere to the dat...

Services provided by other authorities also promote integration The services provided by many other authorities also promote integration in Finland, and immigrants who have a municipality of residence and have been granted a residence permit can r...

Other Finnish authorities include Kela, The Finnish Immigration Service, Police and many other authorities.

Current information on residence, temporary protection, work and services for people arriving in Finland from Ukraine This page contains information for those involved in integration regarding different grounds for residence permits for people arr...

Contact information Kotoutuminen.fi online service is intended for persons who work on promoting integration and refugee reception and encounter immigrants in their work. The service is maintained by the KEHA Centre. The KEHA Centre supports perso...

Frequently asked questions and answers about the comprehensive reform of the Integration Act.

5.6.2025 | According to the government's proposal, the conditions for a permanent residence permit would be tightened, among other things, by extending the continuous period of residence required for the permit. In the future, applicants would also be required to have knowledge of Finnish or Swedish and a work history of a certain length. The legislative amendments are scheduled to enter into force on 8 January 2026.

2.3.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has appointed a cross-sectoral group to coordinate migration to Finland following Russia’s attack on Ukraine. The group includes representatives from several ministries, the Finnish Immigration Service, the Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities and the Finnish Red Cross. Any developments concerning migration are closely monitored.

4.3.2022 | For the first time ever, the European Union (EU) has activated the Temporary Protection Directive to help people fleeing from Ukraine. The decision is expected to enter into force on 4 March or in the following days. The Government will soon decide the category of people to be granted protection in Finland. Practical arrangements and additional instructions are also under preparation.

When an unaccompanied minor or young person seeking asylum is separated from their family, relatives or other network, they will need a wide range of support in their new country of residence. In order for a child or young person living in a family group home to access services, close cooperation between the family group home, the municipality's social welfare and health services, educational services and, if necessary, child welfare authorities are required.

Some of the children and young people seeking asylum arrive in Finland unaccompanied by a custodian. Unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in Finland are placed in group homes or supported housing units for the duration of the asylum application process.

The agreements made on municipal placements help refugees to have a managed transition to municipalities and a smoother start to integration.

Refugees flee persecution and conflict According to the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, there were more than 120 million people in the world in May 2024 who had had to flee from persecution and conflict. According to the UNHCR, a significant proportion o...

A residence permit may also be granted on the basis of family ties. A person living in Finland whose family member living abroad intends to move to Finland to live with them is referred to as a “sponsor”.

The Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration guides integration work The Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration entered into force on 1 January 2025. The objective of the Act is to promote immigrants’ employment or entrepreneurship, co...

Information for you who are an employer Employers face the occupational diversification of Finland, they can promote the receptiveness of society and influence what employment is like in the future. Employment and work-related immigration This sec...