Welcome to Finland!

In Finland the responsibility for immigration questions is divided between many different authorities. One authority cannot answer all questions. Be prepared to phone different authorities to get clarity in a certain question. By clicking here you will get a list of the work distribution between the different authorities.

Unfortunately the list is not entirely unambiguous. The quickest alternative (to really find out who to speak to) is to phone:

1. The migration office customer service: Tel. 071 873 0431

2. The police customer service regarding immigration questions. Tel 09-189 3220 mon-fri 9-11 (questions regarding residence permit or extension of these)

Call Bridge if this does not work!

3. Bridge Tel. 040-485 9636

Different rules for different people without residence permit, work and registration.
Immigrants in Finland are divided in five main groups:

1) Nordic citizens

2) EU-members

3) Non EU-members

4) Asylum seekers/refugees

5) Returnees

These groups are regulated by different rules. By following the links above you will learn more about your rights and obligations in Finland.
For help from the third sector regarding potential legal errands you can start by turning to The refugee Counselling.

Applying for a Finnish citizenship

Finnish citizenship is granted based on different grounds. Your application is sent to the migration office. More information found here.

Finland is a part of the Schengen agreement

Twenty-two European countries have signed the Schengen agreement. The agreement enables free movement by individuals within the Schengen boarders. Instead the boarder control to a Schengen country rigorous. The citizens of the Schengen countries, people with a visa to a Schengen country or those who have a residence permit in one of the countries may move around freely within the area. Read more about the Schengen agreement.

Travel documents within the Schengen area:

The citizens of the Schengen states need a card of identification with a picture stating their citizenship.
The citizens of non-Schengen states with a residence permit in one of the countries need a passport and residence permit to travel within the area.
Non-EU-members need a visa and a passport to travel within the area.
Some non-EU-members do not need passport. See here.

The Shengen states: Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Austria, Island and Norway per separate cooperation agreement.

Non-Schengen states: Rumania, Bulgaria, Cypress, Ireland, and Great Britain.

EU members do not need a visa to the Schengen areas even though their country is not a member of the Schengen agreement and vice verse.