The Ministry of Interior collaborates with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prepare the annual proposal on the nationalities and source countries of the persons selected as quota refugees. The proposal is based on the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR’s annual projected global resettlement needs and the UNHCR’s proposal to Finland on hosting quota refugees.

The Government decides on the regional allocation of the refugee quota. The decision is finalised in December at the same time as Parliament accepts the Budget for the following year.

The Finnish Immigration Service is responsible for implementing the decision on allocation and organising the quota refugee selection process.

Selecting the refugees admitted under Finland’s refugee quota and their arrival in the relevant municipality is a multistage process that takes several months. The refugees’ arrival in Finland can be delayed for several reasons. This should be considered, when a municipality – in collaboration with the relevant wellbeing services county if necessary – prepares to receive refugees by organising accommodation and services.