Finland: Residence Permit Applicants Now Require a Country of Nationality Passport
September 3, 2024
Effective September 1, 2024, residence permit applicants must submit a valid passport issued by their country of nationality as part of their applications. Previously, residence permit applicants could use passports issued by countries (including Finland) other than their country of nationality to verify their status (i.e. travel documents issued by third countries where individuals are unable or unwilling to obtain a passport from their own country of nationality, such as the situation with Belarussians who have been able to obtain Polish or Lithuanian travel documents given barriers to obtaining a Belarussian passport).
With limited exceptions, applicants who do not provide a passport from their country of nationality will now not be eligible for a residence permit. This new requirement applies also to pending applications submitted before September 1, 2024. Affected applicants (and their employers) may now face increased challenges in obtaining a residence permit: some individuals may now not be able to obtain a residence permit; while others will need to satisfy further application requirements.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or email [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Associate Rebeca Lafond outlines key considerations for international travel to the United States during the holiday season, including documentation requirements, visa processing expectations and enhanced screening on entry.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains that the Department of Laborβs Project Firewall expands H-1B oversight beyond individual complaints and increases the scope of employer compliance reviews.
Media mentions
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines how proposed settlement reforms could reshape the path to UK residency by extending qualifying periods and linking eligibility to individual contribution.
Podcast
Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi discuss critical immigration strategies underpinning healthcare-sector staffing in Canada, unpacking how recent policy, mobility and compliance developments are affecting employers and global talent pipelines.
Awards
Fragomen named Private Client Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2025, recognising the strength of our UK Private Client practice.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Brown highlights rising deceptive practices in immigration and emphasizes stronger verification and compliance measures for employers.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how proposed UK reforms could expand right to work checks across hospitality and reshape compliance for businesses.
Video
Rick Lamanna, Jake Paul Minster and Lunga Mani discuss Africaβs path to the 2026 World Cup.
Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock notes that the UKβs new fast-track residency route for high earners could affect how businesses plan for immigration costs.
Blog post
Senior Manager Zaur Gasimov outlines Georgiaβs stricter residence-permit requirements and enhanced monitoring measures introduced under the countryβs 2025 immigration reforms.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill explains why more UK universities are on UKVI student visa action plans and how extended timeframes help them address compliance issues.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter explains why Poland has paused online residence permit bookings and returned to paper-based submissions.
Video
In this Mobility Minute, Associate Rebeca Lafond outlines key considerations for international travel to the United States during the holiday season, including documentation requirements, visa processing expectations and enhanced screening on entry.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains that the Department of Laborβs Project Firewall expands H-1B oversight beyond individual complaints and increases the scope of employer compliance reviews.
Media mentions
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines how proposed settlement reforms could reshape the path to UK residency by extending qualifying periods and linking eligibility to individual contribution.
Podcast
Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi discuss critical immigration strategies underpinning healthcare-sector staffing in Canada, unpacking how recent policy, mobility and compliance developments are affecting employers and global talent pipelines.
Awards
Fragomen named Private Client Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2025, recognising the strength of our UK Private Client practice.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Brown highlights rising deceptive practices in immigration and emphasizes stronger verification and compliance measures for employers.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how proposed UK reforms could expand right to work checks across hospitality and reshape compliance for businesses.
Video
Rick Lamanna, Jake Paul Minster and Lunga Mani discuss Africaβs path to the 2026 World Cup.
Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock notes that the UKβs new fast-track residency route for high earners could affect how businesses plan for immigration costs.
Blog post
Senior Manager Zaur Gasimov outlines Georgiaβs stricter residence-permit requirements and enhanced monitoring measures introduced under the countryβs 2025 immigration reforms.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill explains why more UK universities are on UKVI student visa action plans and how extended timeframes help them address compliance issues.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter explains why Poland has paused online residence permit bookings and returned to paper-based submissions.