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11.9.2020 | The Ministry of the Interior has launched an update of an action plan for preventing illegal entry and residence for 2021–2024. Along with the issues in the previous action plans, the new action plan will also examine the status of those residing in the country without a residence permit, the phenomena of abuse associated with them and the status of human trafficking victims.

18.2.2021 | On 18 February, the Government decided to extend the current restrictions on entry into the country until 18 March 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, and there are not yet adequate measures available to replace internal border controls. For this reason, and to curb the spread of COVID-19 variants, both internal and external border controls will continue until 18 March. No substantive changes will be made to the decisions taken on 11 February 2021.

13.8.2020 | On Thursday 13 August, the Government appointed Minna Hulkkonen, Master of Laws, as Director General of the Migration Department at the Ministry of the Interior for the period 1 September 2020 to 31 August 2025.

14.11.2019 | Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo commented on the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights against Finland. The judgment relates to an asylum seeker who was expelled from Finland in December 2017.

8.12.2020 | According to the government proposal, the wellbeing services counties and the City of Helsinki would be responsible for organising rescue services in their respective areas starting at the beginning of 2023. Contract fire brigades could be used to provide these services as at present. The role of central government guidance and direction in rescue services would be strengthened.

20.5.2021 | On 20 May, the Government decided to extend the restrictions on entry into the country until 15 June 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, and we do not yet have adequate measures available to replace the restrictions. For this reason, and to curb the spread of COVID-19 variants, both internal border controls and restrictions on external border traffic will continue. Minor amendments will be made to the decisions adopted on 22 April. These will enter into force on 24 May.

22.11.2018 | Plans are in place to amend the Act on the Processing of Personal Data by the Police in order to bring it in line with the new EU data protection requirements. The Act also includes provisions on the processing of personal data by the Finnish Security Intelligence Service. Following the updates, the Act would be connected to the purposes of processing personal data rather than to specific registers or data management systems.

30.11.2018 | The Ministry of the Interior began a survey concerning the asylum procedure on 30 November. The project will begin with a tendering process to select a party to carry out the survey. The purpose of the independent survey is to identify development needs concerning the asylum procedure, examine the cooperation between different authorities and assess the practices of the administrative courts for dealing with asylum-related issues.

31.1.2020 | The Ministry of the Interior has launched a project focused on a reform to the Lotteries Act. In line with the Government Programme, the goal is to determine any needs to reform the Lotteries Act, especially with an eye on further enhancing the prevention and reduction of the harmful effects of gambling. Moreover, legislative means to support the operating conditions of Veikkaus Oy and strengthen the exclusive right system will also be examined

11.12.2020 | EU home affairs ministers will hold an informal videoconference on 14 December 2020. Finland is represented by Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo. The ministers will continue the discussion on the reform of the EU's migration and asylum policy. Other items on the agenda include the future of internal security and cooperation between law enforcement authorities. No decisions will be made at the informal meeting.

12.9.2019 | Legislation concerning the processing of personal data in the field of immigration administration to be collected into a single act. Government proposal on the Personal Data Act in the Field of Immigration Administration and related acts was given to parliament on 12 September.

3.12.2020 | The Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment have commissioned a study on how a community sponsorship model could complement the authorities' efforts in the reception of quota refugees. The study will be conducted by the Kokkola University Consortium Chydenius, which operates under the auspices of the University of Jyväskylä. The purpose is to assess the legal and practical feasibility of the model in Finland.

10.2.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has completed an investigation into a statutory amendment that would allow a residence permit and alien’s passport to be issued to applicants whose lack of a travel document is the sole impediment to granting the permit. The same project also investigated other potential solutions to address the situation of individuals who have remained in Finland for an extended period with no right of residence.

11.11.2021 | The Government has adopted new programmes for the European Union Home Affairs Funds for the programming period 2021–2027. The Funds for the programming period include the Internal Security Fund, the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy.

27.1.2022 | On 1 December, the European Commission issued a proposal for provisional emergency measures for the benefit of Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The proposal is part of a set of joint EU measures aimed at responding to Belarus’s actions. Belarus has made efforts at its borders to instrumentalise migration for political purposes. The Government expressed its position on the proposal in its communication submitted to Parliament on 27 January.

30.6.2021 | Finland needs a migration policy that brings together the areas of responsibilities of different operators. On 30 June, the Ministry of the Interior set up a project to define long-term objectives for Finland’s comprehensive migration policy.

27.6.2019 | The survey report provides information on the standards and efficiency of the asylum procedure and the asylum applicants’ legal protection. The survey, examining the entire procedure and all authorities involved, was the first of its kind.

7.10.2020 | On 8 October, Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo will attend an informal meeting of the EU home affairs ministers via video conference. The main theme of the meeting will be the reform of the EU migration and asylum policy. The ministers will now have their first discussion about the reform and the way forward. No decisions will be made at the informal meeting.

12.6.2020 | RESOLUTION 11 June 2020 GOVERNMENT RESOLUTION ON A STRATEGY AND AN ACTION PLAN FOR TACKLING THE GREY ECONOMY AND ECONOMIC CRIME FOR 2020–2023 2 GOVERNMENT RESOLUTION ON A STRATEGY FOR TACKLING THE GREY ECONOMY AND ECONOMIC CRIME FOR 2020–2023 The ...

30.8.2021 | The Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU has called an extraordinary meeting of home affairs ministers on Tuesday 31 August. Finland will be represented by Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo. The topics on the agenda will be the migratory and security impacts of the situation in Afghanistan.

28.9.2021 | The Non-Discrimination Ombudsman investigated the residence permit practice relating to victims of human trafficking. One of the key questions of the study commissioned by the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment was how the vulnerability of victims of human trafficking has been assessed. According to the study, the assessment was diverse, but varying. Hu...

1.11.2021 | A total of 17 projects will receive funding from the last call for proposals of the programming period 2014–2020, organised in May under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). EU funding to be granted for the projects will amount to approximately EUR 7.5 million. The funded projects will develop the asylum system and promote receptiveness in society, capacity building for legal migration and the implementation of the return system and Finland’s quota refugee programme. 

12.11.2020 | The European Commission issued a comprehensive communication on the reform of migration and asylum policy on 23 September. The communication was accompanied by five legislative proposals. The Government expressed its position on the Commission's proposals in its communications submitted to Parliament on 12 November.

28.1.2021 | On Thursday 28 January, the Government appointed Antti Pelttari, Master of Laws, to continue in his post as the Director of the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service. The post will be filled for the period from 1 March 2021 to 28 February 2026.

19.10.2021 | Finland and Sweden have signed an agreement on police cooperation in the border area in Tornionlaakso. Its purpose is to step up police cooperation between the two countries. Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo and Swedish Minister for Home Affairs Mikael Damberg signed the agreement in Tornio on Tuesday 19 October.

18.2.2022 | On 18 February, the Ministry of the Interior sent out for comments draft amendments to the Aliens Act which would extend the use of a long-term visa known as a D visa. Long-term visas would speed up entry into the country for people who have been issued with residence permits.

1.10.2021 | On 1 October, the Ministry of the Interior sent out for comments a draft government proposal to amend the Nationality Act. The aim of the amendments is to update and clarify the Act. The intention is not to make it easier or more difficult to acquire or lose citizenship.

3.12.2020 | On Friday 4 December, Minister of the Interior Maria Ohisalo will chair the ministerial meeting of the Nordic cooperation group on migration and asylum (NSHF). The meeting will be held via remote connections.

28.10.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a project to conduct a preliminary study concerning the needs for amendments in the Aliens Act and how the reform should implemented.

17.1.2018 | The working group preparing the reform of Finland’s fundraising legislation is proposing the enactment of a new Fundraising Act. The new act would replace the current fixed-term money collection licences that are required each time fundraising is arranged with a system of licences granted for an indefinite period, and would enable small-scale civic fundraising to be arranged without the need for an official licence.

25.2.2021 | International internet crime and mobile crime are constantly evolving. Proposed amendments to the Europol Regulation concern, for example, exchange of information between Europol and private operators to ensure that prevention of serious international crime and terrorism meets today’s requirements.

24.11.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a project to assess the possible needs for legislative amendments to prepare for hybrid influencing that exploits migration. The project will assess the means of the current legislation that can be used to prepare for and respond to such hybrid influencing, as well as possible needs to amend the legislation in the administrative branch of the Ministry of the Interior. 

5.5.2021 | In line with the Government Programme, the Action Plan for the Prevention of Irregular Entry and Stay has been updated for the period 2021–2024. The purpose of the Action Plan is to tackle comprehensively irregular entry and stay, cross-border crime and the emergence of a parallel society outside the Finnish society.

3.6.2021 | On Thursday 3 June, the Government appointed Laura Yli-Vakkuri, Master of Laws, as Director General of the International Affairs Unit in the Ministry of the Interior for the period 1 July 2021 to 30 April 2026. 

9.6.2022 | Border security will be strengthened by improving the ability of the Finnish Border Guard to prepare for and respond to incidents under normal conditions. The proposed amendments will also improve the Border Guard’s preparedness for emergency conditions. The Border Guard Act will be amended to help prepare for hybrid influence activities that exploit migration, for example. The Government submitted the proposal for amending the Board Guard Act to Parliament on 9 June.

11.2.2021 | Employers should support an employee who is subject to online targeting and shaming on social media or otherwise because of his or her duties. In addition, the police must ensure uniform practices in the investigation of online targeting and shaming. This will improve the position of the victim and safeguard legal protection, says the Ministry of the Interior's working group.

4.5.2020 | A research project will examine the combined effects of the amendments to the Aliens Act and the practices of applying the Act with regard to the status of those requesting and receiving international protection. In particular, the project will examine whether the amendments have had an impact on safeguarding the best interests of the child.

17.6.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments draft amendments to the Act on the Reception of Persons Applying for International Protection and on the Identification of and Assistance to Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings. The amendments aim to weaken the link between the provision of assistance to victims of human trafficking and criminal proceedings. In accordance with the Governm...

28.4.2022 | On 28 April, the Government submitted to Parliament a proposal to amend the Nationality Act. The aim of the proposed amendments is to update and clarify the Act.

31.3.2021 | On 31 March 2021, the Government proposed new legislation to improve the legal status and earnings opportunities of foreign berry pickers and to make the competitive environment equal to companies in the sector. As foreign berry pickers have not been deemed to be in an employment relationship but instead to work as entrepreneurs, their status is currently unregulated from a legal point of view.

12.4.2022 | The Border Guard’s preparedness and capacity to respond to incidents under normal conditions will be improved by reviewing the legislation on the powers of the Border Guard. The Ministry of the Interior has set up a project to assess the need to amend border guard legislation. In particular, the aim is to draw up the necessary legislative amendments to prepare for hybrid influence activities that exploit migration.

16.2.2021 | A study commissioned by the Government investigated the combined impacts of the amendments made to the Aliens Act in 2015–2019 on the status of people applying for and receiving international protection and on the realisation of the best interests of the child. The decision to carry out the study was based on an objective set in the Government Programme, which states that the Government will investig...

8.7.2022 | In future, the reception of asylum applications can be centralised at separately designated border crossing points at Finland’s national border. Amendments to the Border Guard Act help prepare for hybrid influence activities that exploit e.g. migration. The President of the Republic approved the amendments on 8 July. The act will enter into force on 15 July 2022.

9.4.2021 | The Ministry of the Interior sent out for comments a draft act on the treatment of persons in police custody and certain related acts. The purpose of this legislative reform is to update the provisions on custody-related rights, obligations and restrictions on fundamental rights of those deprived of their liberty, the powers of personnel performing guard duties and the obligations of the authorities.

20.10.2022 | The Government aims to improve the status of victims of human trafficking and strengthen their right to services, regardless of the progress of related criminal proceedings in a human trafficking case. The purpose is to loosen the link between assistance to victims and criminal proceedings by amending the Act on the Reception of Persons Applying for International Protection and on the Identification of and Assistance to Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings.

11.5.2021 | On 11 May, the EU Member States and a group of African countries invited by Portugal met via a video conference at the Ministerial Conference on Management of Migratory Flows. The Conference was organised at the initiative of the Portuguese Council Presidency, and Finland was represented by State Secretary Olli-Poika Parviainen.  The Conference was also attended by the European Commission, the Europ...

3.10.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior launched the autumn call for proposals for the EU Home Affairs Funds on 3 October 2022. A total of EUR 86.7 million in funding can be applied for from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), the Internal Security Fund (ISF) and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (BMVI). The call for proposals will end on 1 November 2022.

15.9.2022 | The European Commission proposes a number of measures to help EU Member States prevent and combat child sexual abuse. The Government informed Parliament of the European Commission’s proposal for a Regulation by submitting a Union communication on 15 September. 

29.12.2022 | The status and the right to services of victims of human trafficking will improve as the help provided through the Assistance System will no longer depend on the progress of the criminal proceedings related to human trafficking. Primarily, assistance will be based on an assessment of the victim’s individual situation. The President of the Republic approved the related legislative amendments on 29 December and they will enter into force on 1 January.

24.11.2022 | EU home affairs ministers will gather in Brussels on Friday 25 November for an extraordinary meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. The ministers will discuss migration to the EU, taking stock of the urgent challenges and joint way forward. Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

25.10.2018 | The Government submitted a proposal on a new Fundraising Act to Parliament on 25 October. The new Act would replace the current fixed-term money collection licences that are required each time fundraising is arranged with a system of licences granted for an indefinite period, and would enable small-scale civic fundraising to be arranged by submitting a notification to a police department.

4.8.2023 | Summary: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues. As a result of the war, around four million Ukrainians have applied for temporary protection in the Member States of the European Union. Other migration to the EU is also growing. Both the number of asylum applications submitted in the EU and irregular migration to the EU are on the rise. At the moment, migration pressure is concentrated on the Central Mediterranean route from Tunisia and Libya to Italy.

6.6.2022 | The working group appointed by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs presents proposals concerning the amendment of the Act on the Making of Decisions Concerning the Provision of and Request for International Assistance. The working group proposes that the Act be amended so that its scope of application would cover not only international assistance but also activities arising from Finland's national needs without an outside request.

9.3.2023 | EU home affairs ministers gather in Brussels on 9 March for a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council. Items on the agenda include the monitoring of the implementation of the Action Plans on the Western Balkans and Central Mediterranean migration routes. The European Commission presented both plans at the end of last year. Minister of the Interior Krista Mikkonen will represent Finland at the meeting.

4.7.2019 | The new Fundraising Act that will enter into force next spring will make fundraising significantly easier. The Government submitted the new Fundraising Act for approval on 4 July. The President of the Republic is set to approve the Act on 5 July and it will enter into force on 1 March 2020.

16.12.2021 | Finland’s national security has improved with the legislation on intelligence. Information gathering on threats to national security and national defence has become more effective, too, since the new intelligence powers entered into force. This is stated in a recent report on intelligence legislation, which was adopted at the government plenary session on 16 December.

9.6.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project to enable automated decision-making in the Finnish Immigration Service’s activities. This would make it possible to resolve simpler matters as efficiently as possible.

5.8.2022 | The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments a draft for amendments to the special legislation on migration. The purpose is to enable automated decision-making in the activities of the Finnish Immigration Service. This would make it possible to resolve simpler matters as efficiently as possible.

17.11.2022 | The Government proposes an amendment to the Aliens Act to enable clients of the Finnish Immigration Service to request an administrative review of decisions concerning residence permits for specialists and the EU Blue Card. The proposal aims to allow the Service to make automated decisions on these case types. The Government submitted its proposal to Parliament on 17 November.

16.4.2020 | The Ministry of the Interior has set up a legislative project aiming to assess the relationship between carbon offsetting activities and the Money Collection Act. Based on this assessment, the Money Collection Act will be amended to allow for voluntary carbon offsetting.