On this page there is information about seeking asylum in Finland

Godax returned to Mogadishu and runs now a waste management company

Godax used to be a basketball coach and live in a small town of Lohja in Finland, northern part of Europe. Some years ago he decided to move back to Mogadishu, which he left behind because of the civil war. “In Finland I thought, what a wonderful, small and clean town Lohja is. I decided to make Mogadishu as clean as Lohja is.” In Somalia he established a waste management company and hires around 300 employees. Read more

Leila left Finland to start her own business in Somalia

Leila came from Somalia to Finland as a refugee in the 90’s. Couple of years ago she decided to move back to her birth country and established a solar panel company. Now she employs around 30 youngsters. “I came back to Somalia, because I thought this is a successful business, but creating jobs for young people is also important, ” Leila says. Her solar panel system helps farmers to pump water from the wells and to irrigate the farmland. Read more

To leave or not to leave?

To leave or not to leave? Documentary about people who decided to return from Europe back to Iraq. Read more

“In Finland even men change nappies”

Finland is a country where success and standard of living are based on equality. Normally, both the man and woman of a household go to work and also share domestic duties. Read more

“The neighbours here are different”

It can be difficult to get to know Finns, and creating personal relationships is often slow. Although Finns are uncommunicative, they always stick to what has been agreed. Read more

You can survive in an expensive country if you find work for yourself

Finland is a good and clean country where everyone is equal. The foundation of a good life is for everyone to pay their taxes and to contribute to the well-being of society through their own work. Read more

Finland is a beautiful and cold country

The long Finnish winter is dark and snowy, and the days are short. The summer, on the other hand, is beautiful, and even in the middle of the night you can read a newspaper by natural light. Read more

Language proficiency is the key to Finnishness

Learning Finnish may at first be difficult, but not impossible. Proficiency in Finnish is often the best way to get work and friends in Finland. Read more

Finland bears responsibility for asylum seekers and refugees

Finland is relieving the pressure of immigration on Southern Europe and Turkey by accepting refugees and asylum seekers through EU internal transfers and relocations. In that way, Finland is bearing responsibility for asylum seekers and refugees as an EU member state, and is showing solidarity with third countries. Read more

Money received in Finland, how far does it go?

As an asylum seeker, you will receive reception allowance if you are unable to support yourself. The purpose of reception allowance is to ensure for you necessary income while you are awaiting a decision on your asylum application. Read more

Family reunification almost always requires a secure income

Granting residence permits for your family usually requires you to have sufficient income to be able to provide for your family in Finland. Read more

Family members apply electronically for a residence permit and at Finland’s foreign missions

Your family members applying for a residence permit on the basis of family ties must apply for a residence permit before coming to Finland. The application may be filled in on the Internet. In order for the application to be processed, however, your family members must always visit a Finnish mission, which might be situated outside their country of residence. Read more

The right of a child seeking asylum to have his/her family in Finland

A person under the age of 18 has the right to apply for family reunification after a favourable asylum decision. Read more

Children who arrive in Finland unaccompanied are in a special position as asylum seekers

Asylum seekers under the age of 18 who arrive in Finland without a guardian receive special protection. If necessary, their age can be established through examinations. Read more

The Asylum in Finland website offers asylum seekers information about Finland

The Asylum in Finland website is a collection of information about Finland and Finnish asylum practices. Read more

How can you be granted asylum in Finland?

You can seek asylum in Finland if you have just reason to fear being persecuted in your home country or your permanent country of residence. Read more

In Finland the decision on asylum is always made on a case-by-case basis

Each asylum application is processed individually. The assessment will consider what you yourself have said, the evidence you have presented, individual reasons and information acquired by the Finnish Immigration Service. Read more

Who is not eligible for asylum?

Strict criteria are applied to the granting of asylum. Asylum cannot be granted on the grounds of poverty. Neither are low social standing or unemployment, for example, grounds for granting asylum. Read more

Finland observes the same policy as other EU countries

The provisions of the Finnish Aliens Act for granting asylum are the same as in the Geneva Refugee Convention, to which Finland and the other EU Member States are committed. Read more

Family reunification only concerns immediate family

Your family members may apply for a residence permit in Finland on the basis of family ties, but not until you have received a positive decision on your asylum application. Read more

An application based on family ties may be submitted electronically

Your family members may apply for a residence permit based on family ties in Finland electronically at enterfinland.fi. They must also visit a Finnish mission or outsourced service points in order to identify themselves. Your family members must monitor the progress of their electronic application themselves at the electronic service. Read more

You may seek asylum only in Finland – not abroad

If you wish to seek asylum in Finland, you must travel to Finland. It is not possible to seek asylum abroad. Read more

Receiving an asylum decision often takes a long time

Once you have made your asylum application in Finland, you will be placed in a reception centre to wait for your application to be processed. Processing your application and investigative work take several months. Read more

There is no guarantee of asylum in Finland – be prepared also for a negative decision

In recent years, many people have set out on a dangerous journey to Europe in the belief that they will receive asylum and work, a good income and later be with their families. Many are disappointed when their expectations do not correspond with reality. Read more

You will receive financial support, if you cannot provide for yourself

Food, living and services are expensive in Finland compared to many other countries. Finland ranks at the more expensive end of all European countries in a comparison of food prices. Read more

The journey of an asylum seeker to Finland may be expensive, mentally difficult and dangerous

The journey with its illegal border crossings is often physically and mentally difficult, because it entails great risks. Read more

An asylum seeker is entitled to basic services

As an asylum seeker, you are entitled to basic services under the law. The reception centre where you will live during the processing of your asylum application is responsible for providing the necessary basic services. Read more

In Finland it is difficult to live without a residence permit

As an asylum seeker, you are entitled to be in Finland without a visa or residence permit only until you receive a decision on your asylum application. Read more

Seeking asylum is not the only way to come to Finland. You may apply for a residence permit in Finland on the basis of work or study.

Seeking asylum is not the only way to come to Finland. Read more