Foreign nationals may now apply for a Finnish personal identity code at the same time as they apply for their first resident permit.

Previously, a foreign national had to specifically ask for registration at a local register office after they had obtained their first residence permit issued by the Finnish Immigration Service or the police.

Personal identity code makes life easier

When a personal identity code is obtained together with the residence permit, conducting one’s affairs in Finland becomes easier.

From an authority’s perspective, a personal identity code facilitates the handling of a certain person’s matters. A personal identity code makes it easier to find a person in the register; it does not matter if a person’s name changes or its spelling varies.

You must ask to be registered

You may ask to be registered in the Population Information System when you apply for a residence permit or residence card. A personal identity code is issued only to those who receive a positive decision.

The legislative amendment also applies to asylum seekers who are issued with a residence permit and to EU citizens whose right of residence is registered.

Changes to forms and e-services

The reform gives the Finnish Immigration Service and the police the right to register people in the Population Information System.

This brings changes to application forms and the e-services of the Finnish Immigration Service. During the summer and autumn, the agency has made changes to its systems and trained employees and other authorities who are affected by this change.

The new registration practice will be adopted at the beginning of December 2014.