Situation at the eastern border

It is not possible to enter Finland via border crossing points that have been closed, for example, using physical barriers. 

However, the needs and rights of particularly vulnerable people will be taken into account.

The Finnish Immigration Service examines asylum applications. The circumstances of each asylum seeker are examined in accordance with the law. After this, the asylum seeker may be granted international protection or denied stay in the country.

Asylum applications submitted by third-country nationals crossing the eastern border are processed as promptly as possible by the Finnish Immigration Service.

Finland is using different languages and media to communicate to people travelling to Finland that the eastern border is closed.  Communications are being focused particularly on countries of origin. The purpose of the communications is to ensure that people do not seek to travel to Finland and that they are at risk of exploitation on the journey if they do.

Since the beginning of August, about 1,300 third-country nationals have arrived in Finland without a visa via the border crossing points at the eastern border (situation on 11 January). 

After the eastern border was first closed on 30 November, third-country nationals stopped arriving at the border. However, after the Vaalimaa and Niirala border crossing points were opened on 14 December, instrumentalised migration continued immediately at the eastern border. All border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia have been closed since 20.00 on 15 December 2023. 

The people are third-country nationals and most of them have used Russia for short-term transit. They are of many different nationalities, including Syrian, Somali, Yemeni and Iraqi. Most of them have applied for asylum in Finland.

Based on information provided by the authorities, there are still migrants in the neighbouring area waiting for the eastern border to open. There are also more people in the migrants' countries of origin who wish to migrate to Finland.

Russia is using instrumentalised entry against Finland. Instrumentalisation of migration means that entry into the country is organised by another state. 

According to the Border Guard, the behaviour of the Russian authorities has changed at the land border between Finland and Russia. They have begun allowing people to travel from Russia to Finland without the proper travel documents.

According to the authorities, it is clear that Russian authorities or other actors have played a role in facilitating the entry into Finland of persons who have crossed the border illegally. Based on observations made by the Finnish authorities, the phenomenon involves international crime, such as the activities of smugglers and brokers.

This phenomenon and the risk of its escalation pose a serious threat to national security and public order in Finland.

At Finland's external borders, it will be possible to apply for international protection at open border crossing points for air and maritime traffic.

According to the Finnish authorities, the situation at the eastern border involves facilitated instrumentalised entry. Our goal is to put a stop to this phenomenon and return to normal.

Putting an end to this phenomenon will reduce the risks associated with the economic exploitation of potential applicants for international protection and the threat to their life and health.

All border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia will remain closed until further notice.

The Finnish authorities are well prepared to maintain border security. The system can be adjusted and the situation kept under control. We have a wide range of measures we can use.

Under the Border Guard Act, border traffic may be restricted, border crossing points closed and the submission of applications for international protection centralised at certain locations. 

These measures may be taken if necessary to prevent a serious threat to public order, national security or public health.

In addition, Finland is communicating to people in countries of origin that they should not seek to travel to Finland and that they are at risk of exploitation if they do.

The Ministry of the Interior has set up a project to examine and prepare legislative amendments to strengthen border security and effectively combat any attempts to put pressure on Finland through instrumentalised entry.