You may request cancellation of your permit with a written notification

You may request cancellation of your permit with a written notification in Finnish, Swedish, or English. The form of the notification is informal, but it must include the date and your signature. Please also state why you are cancelling your permit.

Deliver your notification to the authority that granted you a residence permit.

Cancellation of a permit by authorities

Provision of false information

Your residence permit may be cancelled if, when applying for a residence permit, you have knowingly provided false personal data or other false information that has affected the decision. Your permit will also be cancelled if, when applying for a residence permit, you have held back information that might have prevented you from obtaining a residence permit.

Changes in the grounds for obtaining a residence permit

Your residence permit may be cancelled also if the grounds that you received your residence permit on no longer exist. This may be the case if, for example, your employment has ended and your residence permit was granted on the grounds of employment in Finland. The EU Blue Card will be withdrawn if you have been unemployed continuously for more than three months.

Refusal of entry into the Schengen area

Your residence permit may be cancelled if another Schengen state requests Finland to do so. This may be the case if you are subject to a refusal of entry into the Schengen area or ordered to leave the Schengen area because of criminal behaviour or behaviour considered a threat to security. You will be given the opportunity to explain your own views on the matter before the residence permit is cancelled. Cancellation of your residence permit may also involve your being ordered to leave the country. You may appeal against the decision to an administrative court.

Emigrating from Finland

If you move from Finland permanently, your residence permit will be cancelled. Your residence permit will also be cancelled if you have remained outside Finland for two years without interruption.

Preventing cancellation of permit when residing abroad

If you do not want your residence permit to be cancelled, you may make an informal application to the Finnish Immigration Service within two years after moving abroad. Write your application in Finnish, Swedish, or English. Remember to include the date and your signature, and an explanation of why your permit should not be cancelled.

Submit your application to the authority that granted you a residence permit. A fee is charged for the processing of each application.