CoR - Finland Immigration

Central

Formulate migration policy;
Draft legislation on migration and citizenship;
conditions for residence permits to asylum seekers have been tightened during last years by e g. higher income requirements that concern family unification
Represent Finland in migration matters at the EU and international levels;
Guide and develop the migration administration;
Oversee the Finnish Immigration Service;
Promote legal immigration and address illegal immigration;
General development, planning, steering, monitoring and coordination of the reception and management of asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international and temporary protection
Oversee the planning, steering, monitoring and coordination of the integration of immigrants;
Manage the extradition and return of foreign nationals;
Coordinate anti-human trafficking efforts;
Oversee the issuing of residence documentation and citizenship matters;
Oversee border control, border checks and maritime search and rescue services.

Finnish Immigration Service

Grants residence permits to foreign nationals entering Finland, such as students, employees, self-employed people, returnees and family members of foreign nationals living in Finland;
Processes asylum applications, from the asylum interview to the decision;
Steers and plans the practical reception of asylum seekers and those granted temporary protection;
Issues alien's passports and refugee travel documents;
Decides on refusals of entry and deportations;
Processes citizenship applications and declarations and determination of citizenship status;
Maintains the register of aliens;
Produces information services for international needs and for Finnish decision-makers and authorities;
Participates in international cooperation efforts.

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Engages in EU cooperation and bilateral relations with the countries of origin and transit
Cooperation and influencing policies in international organisations
Development cooperation
Humanitarian assistance
Mediation and support for dialogues
Human rights, crisis management and security policy;
Consular services.

Ministry of Employment and the Economy

Integration policy include e.g. fostering a sense of solidarity and belonging to society among immigrants, along with two-way integration, supporting immigrant families and promoting the employment of adult immigrants, particularly by developing the teaching of Finnish and Swedish.

Ministry of Education and Culture

Immigrants' education and training.

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health

Social and health care services and support to immigrants.

Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (State authorities)

Issue regional guidelines concerning work permits for foreign workforce
Coordinate the integration of immigrants, the reception of asylum seekers, the planning, guidance and monitoring of reception of beneficiaries of temporary protection;
Plan, guide and supervise of measures and services promoting and supporting the integration of immigrants and ensure that the needs of immigrants are taken into account in planning and organising services and measures within their sphere of competence;
Provide guidance and advice for immigrants who establish businesses;
Promote ethnic equality and non-discrimination, and
Provide information on the European Refugee Fund (ERF).

Regional

Åland competences

Central authorities have legislative powers with regard to
The right of foreigners and foreign corporations to own and possess real property, shares of stock and to practice a trade;
Citizenship, legislation on aliens, passports.

Local

Coordinate integration of immigrants;
Provide measures and services for supporting the integration of immigrants;
Cooperation with the respective employment offices in integration efforts and provision of information about services by employment offices and other service providers.

Responsible ministries/bodies

Ministry of the Interior (the police, the border guard authorities and the reception centres for asylum seekers, which are subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior)

Ministry of Education and Culture

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment

Ministry for Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Employment and the Economy

Åland competences

Municipalities

Sources:

Act on Nationality Act (359/2003)

Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration (1386/2010)

Act on Aliens 1218/2013

Centres for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment