Frontpage

Current processing situation of family reunification applications

Approximately 4,000 applications are awaiting decision in July

The processing of residence permit applications based on family ties has become congested.

At the beginning of July 2010

• approximately 4,000 applications on the basis of family ties are awaiting decision
• the earliest applications awaiting processing to begin were submitted in autumn 2009
• the earliest applications awaiting decision were largely submitted in early 2009.

The need for interviewing the applicant slows down the decision even more

There are also earlier applications, which require more clarification work, still unresolved. In many such cases, the mission or the police need to interview the applicant and the sponsor living in Finland because of, for example, unclear documentation or lack of documentation. Oral hearings, i.e. interviews, slow down the processing and in some missions the waiting time for an interview may be very long. For example, in Damascus the queue is approximately a year long.

The Finnish Immigration Service cannot influence the length of the waiting times for a mission or the police. A decision can also not be made immediately after the interview.

The reason for the congestion is the increase in the total number of applications for residence permits on the basis of family ties; especially the increase of applications which require more clarification, in proportion to clearer and more rapidly proceeding applications.

This bulletin is updated every two months.

Information on the website and by telephone

For the time being we are unable to answer status requests sent by e-mail. This is to enable us to serve our customers in the best way possible and to make rapid decisions on applications.

Information for applicant customers, their assistants and representatives, and for the authorities, is available

• on our website, which includes e.g. answers to frequently asked questions
• by telephone
  • on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.–11 a.m. on 071 873 3750 (answered by persons handling applications based on family ties)
  • Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on 071 873 3400 (Finnish Immigration Service customer service line).

Further information

Processing in the order received, enquiries in writing
Congestion in applications for family reunification for Somalis
Realized average processing times of residence permits in 2010

14.7.2010

Printable version