Permit and Nationality Unit was established on 1 March 2020 – aims to increase automation in the processing of applications

On 1 March 2020, the organisation of the Finnish Immigration Service will change as a new Permit and Nationality Unit is established.

The unit will process citizenship applications and residence permit applications made on the basis of work, studies and family ties. The unit will also be responsible for the registration of EU citizens and their family members. The agency’s service points around the country will also be part of the unit.

The purpose of this organisational change is to enable wider use of automation in permit processing. The aim is to reduce processing times and application queues significantly. Automation is an important means for increasing the effectiveness of the agency’s operations.

“In the beginning of March, it will be 25 years since the predecessor of the Finnish Immigration Service, the Directorate of Immigration, was established. The operational environment surrounding immigration is in constant change. Immigration is increasing, and residence permit processes must be made more effective to meet the requirements of the Finnish working life, for instance,” says Jaana Vuorio, Director General of the Finnish Immigration Service.

Last year, work was the most common application ground among applications for a first residence permit. In 2019, a total of 12,687 applications for a first residence permit were submitted on the basis of work.

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