Finland Sets New Residency Permit Processing Deadlines

Finland's Parliament approved an amendment to the Aliens Act (301/2004), which sets clear deadlines for residency permit processing. The amendment, published on October 20, 2026, and effective from October 27, 2026, mandates that the Finnish Immigration Service must issue decisions on properly completed residency permit applications within two months of receipt, provided the applicant has submitted biometric identifiers and met all conditions.

For partial decisions, the Regional State Administrative Agency must respond within one month. In cases of exceptional complexity, processing times may extend to three months.

The law also allows for pauses in processing if additional information is required. The amendment was signed into law in Helsinki on October 16, 2026, by President Alexander Stubb and Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen, aligning with European Union directives.