Effective from January 1, 2024, the Finnish Immigration Service is ushering in a series of modifications to the processing fees associated with residency applications. In a recent announcement, the authority detailed these alterations, which are governed by a decree issued by the Ministry of the Interior. These changes aim to streamline the application process, promote online submissions for cost-effectiveness, and enhance overall efficiency.
The most significant distinctions lie between online and paper applications. The Enter Finland platform, which facilitates online submissions, offers notable advantages in terms of cost and speed. This platform not only simplifies the application procedure but also empowers applicants to closely monitor the status of their submissions and promptly furnish any additional documentation.
Whenever possible, opting for an online application through Enter Finland is recommended. Online submissions typically come at a more budget-friendly cost compared to their paper counterparts. Furthermore, Enter Finland stands as the swiftest route for application processing. By choosing Enter Finland, applicants can utilize their Enter Finland accounts to keep track of the progress of their applications and easily upload any supplementary documents.
The Finnish Immigration Service has categorized the fees as follows:
Permanent residence permit applications:
Citizenship applications:
First resident permits for employer persons:
Extended permits for foreigners:
Renewal of residence permit cards:
For those opting for online applications, there will be a processing fee of €60. In contrast, applications submitted without using the online platform will incur a processing fee of €75. This marks a slight increase from the previous uniform fee of €54.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the comprehensive list of processing fees and available payment methods, which can be found on the official Processing Fees and Payment Methods page.
The Finnish Immigration Service has also clarified that individuals whose applications are already pending as of December 31, 2023, will not be affected by the forthcoming fee adjustments. Existing fees will continue to apply to ensure that ongoing applications remain unaffected.
In 2023, there was a notable surge in interest in filing residency applications in Finland, with an average of 1,400 applications submitted each week. Although the number of applications has decreased compared to the previous year, it still exceeds the levels observed in the period from 2018 to 2021.
Certainly, here are some pros and cons of the changes to residency application fees announced by the Finnish Government for 2024:
Pros:
The most significant distinctions lie between online and paper applications. The Enter Finland platform, which facilitates online submissions, offers notable advantages in terms of cost and speed. This platform not only simplifies the application procedure but also empowers applicants to closely monitor the status of their submissions and promptly furnish any additional documentation.
Whenever possible, opting for an online application through Enter Finland is recommended. Online submissions typically come at a more budget-friendly cost compared to their paper counterparts. Furthermore, Enter Finland stands as the swiftest route for application processing. By choosing Enter Finland, applicants can utilize their Enter Finland accounts to keep track of the progress of their applications and easily upload any supplementary documents.
The Finnish Immigration Service has categorized the fees as follows:
Permanent residence permit applications:
- Online applications: €160 to €220
- Paper applications: €270
- Online applications: €490 (up from €460)
- Online applications: €540 (previously €490)
- Online applications: €540 (previously €490)
- €170 (around €10 more than in 2023)
Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the comprehensive list of processing fees and available payment methods, which can be found on the official Processing Fees and Payment Methods page.
The Finnish Immigration Service has also clarified that individuals whose applications are already pending as of December 31, 2023, will not be affected by the forthcoming fee adjustments. Existing fees will continue to apply to ensure that ongoing applications remain unaffected.
In 2023, there was a notable surge in interest in filing residency applications in Finland, with an average of 1,400 applications submitted each week. Although the number of applications has decreased compared to the previous year, it still exceeds the levels observed in the period from 2018 to 2021.
Certainly, here are some pros and cons of the changes to residency application fees announced by the Finnish Government for 2024:
Pros:
- Cost Savings for Online Applicants: Online applications through the Enter Finland platform will be cheaper than paper applications. This encourages applicants to use the more cost-effective and efficient online submission method.
- Faster Processing: Online applications are generally processed more quickly than paper applications, allowing applicants to receive decisions on their residency status sooner.
- Easy Document Management: Enter Finland enables applicants to monitor the progress of their submissions and easily submit any additional required documents, streamlining the overall application process.
- Transparent Fee Structure: The Finnish Immigration Service has provided a clear breakdown of the processing fees, making it easier for applicants to understand and plan for the associated costs.
- Existing Applicants Not Affected: Those whose applications are already pending by December 31, 2023, will not be subject to the fee changes, ensuring fairness and consistency for ongoing applicants.
- Increased Costs for Some: The fee adjustments may result in increased costs for certain applicants, such as those applying for citizenship, first resident permits for employer persons, and extended permits for foreigners. This can be a disadvantage for individuals on a tight budget.
- Processing Fee Hike for Non-Online Applicants: The processing fee for applications submitted without using the online platform will increase from €54 to €75, making it more expensive for those who prefer paper applications.
- Potential Barrier for Low-Income Applicants: The fee changes may pose a financial barrier for low-income individuals and families, discouraging them from pursuing residency in Finland.
- No Mention of Fee Waivers: The announcement does not mention any provisions for fee waivers for individuals facing financial hardship, which could be a concern for some applicants.
- Potential for Application Errors: Online applications, while faster and more cost-effective, maybe more complex for some applicants, potentially leading to errors in the submission process.
I’m applying for a first resident permit soon, but I’ve never used Enter Finland before. Anyone know if it’s easy to navigate?
But seriously, these fee hikes aren’t fun. Maybe I’ll just stay where I am…