The Finnish government presented several proposals to Parliament on April 18 to tighten the country’s immigration policy, including stricter requirements for obtaining Finnish citizenship, the introduction of a border procedure, and a reduction in the reception allowance.
Interior Minister Mari Rantanen described the proposed changes as part of a broader review of immigration policy. The aim is to implement the stricter requirements of EU directives and maintain the government’s stricter asylum policy.
– Among other things, these legislative proposals introduce the enhancements possible under EU directives and best practices to support the government’s goal of tightening asylum policy. Work will continue on other reforms related to immigration, says Interior Minister Rantanen.
One of the most important changes is to extend the period of residence required for Finnish citizenship from five to eight years. Only the time a person has had a residence permit in Finland will be counted as a period of residence, which means that other types of stay in the country will not be taken into account.
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Comprehensive adaptation and stricter regulations
To prevent asylum seekers from switching to work or study permits, the government is proposing stricter laws. At the same time, identity checks will be tightened to strengthen control over entry rules and prevent abuse of the system.
Another significant change is the temporary reduction of the reception and utility allowance. The government’s aim is to reduce the costs of receiving asylum seekers. This change in the law is expected to come into force as soon as possible and will remain in force until the end of 2025.
The Finnish government also proposes to introduce a border procedure in Finland in accordance with the EU Asylum Procedures Directive. This procedure aims to improve the efficiency of the examination of unfounded applications and to speed up the return of rejected applicants. It will also prevent secondary movements of asylum seekers to other EU countries.
– Those whose asylum applications are rejected should be returned to the country they came from as soon as possible, foreign minister Rantanen told Yle.
The proposals represent a major adjustment of Finland’s immigration policy, with stricter rules and a clearer focus on streamlining the asylum process and reducing the costs of receiving asylum seekers.