Finland is set to introduce a significant changes to its citizenship requirements, extending the residency period necessary for applicants to eight years, Commencing from October 1, 2024.
Finland, Europe- This change aims to emphasize the importance of long-term residency and language proficiency, key components that Finland believes are essential for successful integration into Finnish society.
The new legislation, which applies to all citizenship applications submitted after this date, highlights the country’s effort to streamline the naturalization process while ensuring that it reflects the values of consistency, fairness, and integration.
This move is especially notable given Finland’s growing immigrant population and its increasing emphasis on making sure new citizens are well-integrated into the social and economic fabric of the country.
Changes to Residency Requirements and Language Proficiency
Under the new rules, the period of residence required for acquiring citizenship has been extended to eight years from the previous standard. However, for those applicants who can demonstrate proficiency in either Finnish or Swedish, the residency period will be reduced to five years.
Language proficiency is a key factor in fostering integration, as it allows new citizens to participate in the workforce, access education, and engage in social and political life.
Mari Luukkonen, Process Owner of Finland’s citizenship application process, stated that these changes reflect the country’s focus on legal, documented residence and consistency in its approach to naturalization.
Valid Residence Permits Only
One of the most significant changes in the new legislation is the requirement that only time spent in Finland with a valid residence permit will count toward the residency period. Previously, time spent waiting for an asylum application to be processed could be included, but under the new rules, this will no longer be the case.
For refugees or others granted international protection, the residency period will now begin only once they have been issued a continuous residence permit. This adjustment is intended to ensure that applicants have a long-term commitment to living in Finland before applying for citizenship.
Luukkonen emphasized that the aim of this change is to bring fairness and consistency to the process, ensuring that the residency requirement is fulfilled through legal and documented residence.
“We want to ensure that the residency requirement is fulfilled through legal, documented residence. This change will bring consistency and fairness to the process,” explained Mari Luukkonen.
Tighter Rules on Time Spent Abroad
The amendments also introduce stricter rules regarding how much time applicants can spend outside of Finland during their residency period. Applicants will still be allowed a total of 365 days abroad during the required residency period, but under the new rules, up to 90 of those days can be from the year immediately preceding the citizenship decision.
This change is designed to simplify the process for applicants and make it easier for them to track their eligibility for citizenship. By clarifying the rules, Finland hopes to ensure equal treatment for all applicants and provide greater transparency in the naturalization process.
Managing the Backlog of Citizenship Applications
The Finnish Immigration Service is currently facing a backlog of around 28,000 pending citizenship applications. Processing times for applications can range from nine to 31 months, depending on the complexity of the case and the verification of identity or documentation. This backlog is expected to grow further as the number of applications increases, but the government is actively working to address the issue.
Luukkonen explained that the Immigration Service is aiming to reduce the average processing time for most applications to one year by 2027.
“We’re working hard to clear the backlog and improve processing times. While it will take time, we are aiming to reduce processing to one year for the majority of applications by 2027.”
To achieve this, a new system will be introduced for applications that meet all requirements upfront. These cases, which do not require additional documentation or verification, will be processed in under a year.
This new effort also includes a special focus on applications from beneficiaries of international protection and stateless persons, ensuring that these groups receive timely processing. For applications submitted after October 1, 2024, the Immigration Service is committed to processing them within a one-year timeframe.
Citizenship Declarations Remain Unaffected
It is important to note that these new changes will not impact the citizenship declaration process, which remains available for Nordic citizens and former Finnish citizens. This means that individuals from other Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland) and those who previously held Finnish citizenship can still apply for citizenship under the existing, less stringent rules.
With these changes, Finland is taking a decisive step towards ensuring that its citizenship process is both fair and reflective of the country’s values. By extending the residency requirement and emphasizing language proficiency, Finland is signaling its commitment to promoting successful integration for immigrants who wish to become citizens.
Mari Luukkonen reiterated that the changes aim to ensure the citizenship process is both consistent and transparent.
“The simplification of these rules will help ensure equal treatment of all applicants and make it clearer for them to know when they have fulfilled the residency requirements,” she said.
How to Apply for Finnish Citizenship Under the New Rules
For those planning to apply for Finnish citizenship after October 1, 2024, understanding the new requirements is essential. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps involved in the process:
- Residence Permit: Ensure that you have a valid residence permit throughout your stay in Finland. Time spent without a valid permit will not count toward the required residency period.
- Residency Period: Fulfill the residency requirement of either eight years (for those without language proficiency) or five years (for those who can demonstrate proficiency in Finnish or Swedish). Ensure that any time spent outside Finland does not exceed the allowed limit of 365 days, with no more than 90 days in the year preceding the citizenship decision.
- Language Proficiency: If you wish to reduce the required residency period to five years, you must demonstrate proficiency in either Finnish or Swedish through an official language test or by completing education in Finland in one of these languages.
- Documentation: Ensure that you have all necessary documentation, including proof of identity, residence, and any additional information required by the Finnish Immigration Service.
- Processing Time: Be prepared for the processing time, which can take up to 31 months. However, the government is actively working to reduce this to one year for most applications by 2027.
By meeting these requirements and ensuring all necessary documentation is submitted, applicants can increase their chances of successfully obtaining Finnish citizenship.
For applicants, understanding and adhering to the new requirements will be key to navigating the naturalization process successfully.
Join our Channel...