More and more applications can be submitted online

The e-services for foreigner’s permit matters have expanded to cover all work-related residence permit applications, citizenship application and the registration of EU citizens. In the beginning of 2012, the service was opened for persons applying for their first student’s residence permit.

As long as you make sure that you answer all the questions on the application form, attach all the required appendices and pay the handling fee, using the e-services is the quickest way to receive a decision.

You can also use the e-services to supplement your application, to follow the processing of your application, and to receive notification when the decision has been made. You can choose to receive notification by e-mail or SMS of any messages received on your user account, such as requests for clarification or notices of decisions.

You can now submit an application via the e-services for

• a student’s residence permit
• a residence permit on the basis of employment
• a residence permit for a specialist
• a residence permit for a trainee
• a residence permit on the grounds of sports-related or coaching work
• a residence permit for a researcher
• a residence permit for an au pair
• a residence permit on the grounds of self-employment
• registration of an EU citizen’s right of residence
• residence card of an EU citizen’s family member
• citizenship of Finland.

At the moment, you may apply for a residence permit on the grounds of family ties or re-migration only with a paper form. The forms are available on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service. The possibilities of expanding the e-services to cover even some of the forms for family ties applications will be considered on the basis of experiences received of the service.

A visit to the embassy or a police is required

Even if you submit your application online, you will have to visit the Finnish embassy or a police in order to verify your identity and to give your fingerprints for the biometric residence permit card. You will also need to show the original copies of any appendices to your application.

An electronic application cannot be processed until you have visited the embassy or the police.

Despite the visit requirement, the e-services are the quickest way to receive a decision. Time is saved especially during the initial phase of the application process: while a paper form may take months to find its way to the authority who is responsible for making the decision, the electronic form is immediately received.

How do I find the e-services?

You may access the e-services via the website of the Finnish Immigration Service or the Finnish police. The direct address is https://e-asiointi.migri.fi.