Legislative amendments to improve efficiency of asylum process sent out for comments

The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a draft government proposal to reform the procedure for examining asylum applications. At the same time, the enforcement of decisions on deportation would be streamlined and restrictions would be placed on the ability of beneficiaries of international protection to visit the countries from which they have fled.

According to the legislative proposal, more emphasis would be placed on the significance of the asylum interview in the processing of an application. As a rule, the transcript of the asylum interview would no longer be reviewed at the end of the interview. Instead, it would be additional evidence that could be included in the application voluntarily.

The aim is to improve the efficiency and quality of the asylum system in line with the Government Programme by introducing more stringent provisions and best practices permitted by the Asylum Qualification Directive and the Asylum Procedures Directive. The amendments also seek to streamline the asylum process and prevent abuses.

Enforcement of deportation decisions to be streamlined

The Government Programme requires that rejected asylum applicants return or be returned to their countries of origin as soon as possible. In addition, the Government Programme states that unfounded subsequent applications will be prevented. The Schengen evaluations concerning Finland have also called for more effective implementation of returns. 

The proposal would make the procedure for removing applicants for international protection from the country more effective by changing the practices for enforcing deportation decisions to correspond to the enforcement of decisions on denial of admittance or stay. This would mean that deportation decisions could be enforced more quickly than at present.  

If an alien has not had a residence permit and a decision is made to remove them from the country, they will be denied admittance or stay. If, on the other hand, an alien has or has had a residence permit and a decision is made to remove them from the country, this constitutes deportation.

Regulation on travel to countries of origin to be tightened

In line with the objectives of the Government Programme, the legislative project has also clarified how travelling to the country of origin affects the decision to withdraw international protection status. 

In addition, the validity of travel documents issued by Finland would be restricted so that beneficiaries of international protection could not use them to travel to their country of nationality or former country of permanent residence. Derogations from this rule could only be made if there are exceptionally serious grounds for doing so. 

The deadline for submitting comments is 7 January 2025. The government proposal is scheduled to be submitted to Parliament during the 2025 spring session, and the amendments are due to enter into force as soon as possible.

Inquiries: 

Eeva-Maija Leivo, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 316, firstname.lastname@gov.fi
Jutta Gras, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 488 650, firstname.lastname@gov.fi (provisions on enforcement)