The New Finnish Nationality Act - More Flexible? Not! really

[theiotes]

According to the new Finnish nationality Act that comes into force on 1st Sept 2011 which applies to all the pending (filed before 1st of Sept)

Half of the period of residence under a temporary residence permit (B permit) will be taken into account in calculating the period of residence without interruption. A person living in Finland on a continuous residence permit must have lived here for at least one year to be eligible.

which used to be

Your period of residence will include the period for which you have actually resided in Finland with a residence permit granted under any grounds (merely being registered in Finland is not included). Thus the period for which have you resided in Finland under a temporary residence permit will also be included in your period of residence.

I have applied in July 2011 on the ground that I have lived in Finland on B status for 6 years and now I have a A status for about 6months and my decision is still pending.

According to the new rule for calculating period of residence I fall short of the required years (6/2 years + 8 months = 3 1/2 years) by few months and I haven't yet stayed for a whole year on A permit so I am confused what would happen to my citizenship application... This law is really funny in a sense that old pending application is also affected...

Anybody experiencing the same problem?

[sy]

Yes, it seems quite unfair that the new law affects pending applications. The transition clause doesn't specify the old law can be applied to pending applications on the residence period part.

However, in your case, let's hope that Migri will delay making the decision till you have had the whole 1 year A-type residence. Then at that time you will have 6/2+1 = 4 years. Hopefully your application will be approved according to the Section 18a.

[O'briain]

I think only a few people will benefit from this change. I mean think about it,,, if you're married to a Finnish citizen you only need 4 years,, if you're a refugee you only need four years,,, if you came for work with a contract that was renewed periodically you end up with two years of B and 4 years of A which is basically the same thing so nothing changed here. So the only people who would benefit from this change is people who start with A status right away.

[job seeker]

Hi guys

I have read changes of Finnish Nationality Act effective from 1st September, 2011. There is something I am not clear, please help

I have been living in Finland for 6 years, my A visa now is valid until 2013

My first 4 years was B visa, I have been 2 years with A visa ( family ties) . Could I apply for Finnish Citizenship next year ( 4/2 years B visa+ 3 years A visa = 5 years requirement of residence period) ? or I have to wait until my visa expired in 2013 firstly and then apply for citizenship

Do I need to apply for pysyvä permit before applying citizenship?

Thanks and have a nice day

[Rip]

My first 4 years was B visa, I have been 2 years with A visa ( family ties) . Could I apply for Finnish Citizenship next year ( 4/2 years B visa+ 3 years A visa = 5 years requirement of residence period) ?

Yes. There is also a separate four year clause for spouses of Finnish citizens (but it requires the spouses have lived together at least three years)

or I have to wait until my visa expired in 2013 firstly and then apply for citizenship

NO. You should always have a residence permit (or a renewal pending with application submitted in time) until you get a citizenship. It's not 100% percent clear in the text of the law but I presume at least that if you let your permit expire (even for a short period) you will also interrupt your "continuous residence period" that you need for the citizenship.

Do I need to apply for pysyvä permit before applying citizenship?

No, it is not necessary.

[job seeker]

My first 4 years was B visa, I have been 2 years with A visa ( family ties) . Could I apply for Finnish Citizenship next year ( 4/2 years B visa+ 3 years A visa = 5 years requirement of residence period) ?

Yes. There is also a separate four year clause for spouses of Finnish citizens (but it requires the spouses have lived together at least three years)

or I have to wait until my visa expired in 2013 firstly and then apply for citizenship

NO. You should always have a residence permit (or a renewal pending with application submitted in time) until you get a citizenship. It's not 100% percent clear in the text of the law but I presume at least that if you let your permit expire (even for a short period) you will also interrupt your "continuous residence period" that you need for the citizenship.

thanks rip for your info

I mean my residence permit is valid until 2013, after 2013 I will get permanent residence permit ( pysyvä) that's why I am wondering I am supposed to get pysyvä before applying citizenship . I am studying Finnish more academically, except language requirement I think I am fulfill all requirement, anyways which level of Finnish course could pass the level 3 for the Proficiency National Certificate ?

[Rip]

after 2013 I will get permanent residence permit ( pysyvä) that's why I am wondering I am supposed to get pysyvä before applying citizenship

You can apply for the citizenship when you fulfil all the requirements. It may be that the expiry date of your current permit approaches before your application is approved, in which case I think you need to submit a residence permit application as well (In your case for permanent permit, but having a permanent permit is not required for citizenship).

[mannychadha]

I

[patricknea]

mene pois! go away!..menee pois-he goes away..please let help keep the standards of finnish language .thank you

[Rob A.]

I think this is the hardest law for citizenship that needs 10 years(legally). Even UK has 5 years.

Well ,maybe it just reflects the fact that it takes a lot longer to become a "good Finnish" citizen... It apparently takes years to properly learn Finnish ...much longer than English....and how could you possibly become a good citizen if you can't speak the language?? How can you become part of the culture?? Maybe the government has come to realize that....

And, of course, that would be everyone's objective ...to become a good citizen. No? Not merely become a "Citizen of Convenience" in some Western country....and then go back to their "Third World Hellhole" to run some scummy, exploitive business....

The new law is just saying to B permit holders (Menee Pois!).. May be they say -"we want only skillful persons whom we gave A permit right away".

Official discrimination!!

How so? Selection on the basis of ability and skill sets seems to be critical in determining whether an immigrant will be come a "good citizen" of some other country.....

[onkko]

I think this is the hardest law for citizenship that needs 10 years(legally). Even UK has 5 years.

Hardest? Swizerland has 12years. And you cant get UK citizenship if you dont have permanent, non time limited, residence permit atleast 12months prior applying.

[Rip]

I think B permit holders who were keen in learning Finnish for citizenship as motivation factor will reduce there interest by a great extent.
Because P permit is what one can get in 6 years without giving Finnish exam on the other hand is 10 years for citizenship with Finnish exam.

Actually i think most people gets B permit (mostly students), A great discouragement to them.
Even work permit holders mostly get B permit for their first year.

But how many have B permits for 10 years? I sort of like hoped that they would have kicked students out that can't get their studies done before that.

I am not fan of that law either, but If you for example had B permit for four years and then upgraded to A, earlier they required a stay of 6 years, now 4 + 3 = 7 years, not that drastic change. Assuming here that the 4 year rule with "firm ties" (18a) does not apply.

[Zwagger]

unfortunately, i am of the opinion that people on this forum who are educated don't seem to look at things from a good angle regarding this RP and citizenship issue.

a. In Finland refugees get 4 years to get integrated into the society and get citizenship
b. In Finland married people use 4 years to get integrated into the society and get citizenship
c. In Finland students have to use 7 year to get integrated?

How will the Finns be proud of educating some people and always wanted them back to their country. I was of the opinion that these people can contribute to the society in a useful way than the people in a) and b) groups. That accounts for the brain drain been experienced by the country at present. Innovation is not necessarily dependent on R &D only these days some elements of multicultural ideas can go a long way in improving a society.

But i doubt these refugees and married people can contribute than seek employment?
But who says refugees and spouse of a Finnish citizen won't go back to his or her own country after gaining citizenship?

Please people, don't look at international students as the worst set of group in this country, they can contribute something and some can be ready to integrate into the system if given a chance. But when the chance is frustrating what should they do?

Thank you

[QUINCY]

unfortunately, i am of the opinion that people on this forum who are educated don't seem to look at things from a good angle regarding this RP and citizenship issue.

a. In Finland refugees get 4 years to get integrated into the society and get citizenship
b. In Finland married people use 4 years to get integrated into the society and get citizenship
c. In Finland students have to use 7 year to get integrated?

How will the Finns be proud of educating some people and always wanted them back to their country. I was of the opinion that these people can contribute to the society in a useful way than the people in a) and b) groups. That accounts for the brain drain been experienced by the country at present. Innovation is not necessarily dependent on R &D only these days some elements of multicultural ideas can go a long way in improving a society.

But i doubt these refugees and married people can contribute than seek employment?
But who says refugees and spouse of a Finnish citizen won't go back to his or her own country after gaining citizenship?

Please people, don't look at international students as the worst set of group in this country, they can contribute something and some can be ready to integrate into the system if given a chance. But when the chance is frustrating what should they do?

Thank you

a. In Finland refugees get 4 years to get integrated into the society and get citizenship - The idea about the law here is tricky .

b. In Finland married people use 4 years to get integrated into the society and get citizenship - Do not question the law on this group of people, because a lot of them have already reproduce and their children are Finnish citizens , they deserve to be granted citizenship if they fulfil the requirements set for acquiring citizenship within 4 years.

c. In Finland students have to use 7 year to get integrated ? Hey, lets stop whining here , The country have provided you with a free education on bachelors degree, masters and some cases Phd, also subsidies meals and transportation tickets as a student, what is the assurance that they wont flyaway to some other country when they issue you with the Visa free passport of Finland as soon as you graduate from your studies . Citizenship is all about national security, patriotism and your relationship and involvement with the local cultures and norms of the host country. International students are not looked down as the the worst set of people and as such they are giving one of the best opportuinities to integrate in the country, for a start you can study any one of the 2 local languages when you are at school for free.

[Upphew]

But who says refugees and spouse of a Finnish citizen won't go back to his or her own country after gaining citizenship?

Regarding spouses, true, nothing stops them from taking a hike. The shorter rule isn't for them, imo, but for the Finnish spouse. Refugees... well if they truly are refugees, then they shouldn't too good life waiting there, regardless of their nationality.

Please people, don't look at international students as the worst set of group in this country, they can contribute something and some can be ready to integrate into the system if given a chance. But when the chance is frustrating what should they do?

Agreed, students aren't the worst set. But, imo again, speaking the lingo should be quite high priority talking about the citizenship. And if you study in any other language than Finnish (or Swedish) then your focus is probably on your studies, not the new language.