Residence permits will be valid again from the date of the decision

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has again started to grant first residence permits that have been applied for abroad so that they become valid on the day when the application is decided.

According to Migri, the validity of the residence permits granted between 15 April and 7 May 2020 will exceptionally start on 14 May 2020. With this practice, immigration authorities claim they want to ensure that the period of validity will not be spent while people are waiting to move to Finland.

A residence permit normally becomes valid starting from the date when the positive decision on an application was made. In some cases, they can be granted to start after the decision date, for example if it is a student residence permit and the studies begin months later. All residence permits indicate when the permit to move to the country begins.

Residence cards needed

Migri also reminds all applicants that they need a residence permit card when they come to Finland.

However, it also says that Finnish missions are currently unable to issue residence permit cards as usual. 

The Finnish Immigration Service recommends those who have questions about card deliveries to contact the mission where the application was made.

For information on the situation in each country, immigration authorities recommend to visit the website finlandabroad.fi

More detailed information about entry to Finland with a residence permit can also be found on the website of the Finnish Border Guard.