Citizenship processing times.

[network_engineer]

Hi all,

I was wondering under what section to post this topic, but ultimately decided on this one.

Well, in another post (Increase in Racially Motivated Crimes) in the 'Living in Finland' section, Daryl wrote:

Our friends at the Directorate of Immigration have had a backlog of thousands of citizenship applications for more than a decade. We know that processing times for these applications have been too long, with decisions taking anything between one and three years, but nobody has been waiting for ten years and most applications are eventually approved.

I did not want to change the topic of the conversation there, so I am posting it here... and this is pretty much what I wrote to another friendly member on this forum about the processing time for citizenship applications at UVI.

Honestly, I don't get it, i.e. why the delay? Why does it take them so long to process the applications? Is it the lack of organisation within the unit(politely speaking)? I would love to understand it and would appreciate some clarification? All details required are available at their fingertips (and I suppose they are well connected by a communications network).

If I recollect correctly, they had about 3000 applications per year (actually it was lesser than that). Assuming 240 working days in a year (i.e. 20 days per month, some months have 22) and 12.5 applications per day isn't really a big load, even if they had just two person processing the applications, i.e. 6 per person in 7.5 hours!!! As far as I know they have more than two persons there!!! They have a whole division processing citizenship applications - Kansalaisuus Yksikkö

Am I sensing a waste of taxpayer's money?

I am assuming that they have some computers at the UVI and that they are in used other than for surfing and play Solitaire! As I am told there have been a number of complaints to the Ombudsman, with the Ombudsman conveying that their processing schdules are unacceptable and they pay no heed!

I would love to know more details. What exactly is the issue?

Kind regards.

[Hank W.]

Oh, UVI is one of these bastions of Kekkoslovakia. KELA and VERO used to be, but these days you can get even "service"...

Of course theres all these other applicants messing up the system with their complaints. It was designed after all to handle maybe 10 ethnically othercultureds a year originally....

line on the left, one application each...

[superiorinferior]

Of course theres all these other applicants messing up the system with their complaints. It was designed after all to handle maybe 10 ethnically othercultureds a year originally....

Super. But how is this an explanation? The fact that it doesn't get improved shows that the government neither cares nor wants to do anything about it.

I never really thought about it that much, being unofficially both Finnish and ulk... But why does the government (presidency of the EU) allow this to continue?

[Hank W.]

Foreigners' can't vote. If the foreigners come citizans, they might vote *wrong*

[network_engineer]

Thanks for those perspectives. Coming back to my question - what is it that makes them unable to process 12.5 applications per day with all the information available at their fingertips?

Based on my understanding of the current process, I could not not-handle 12.5 applications per day, even if I wanted to.

Boy, do I have to work hard for my bonus and incentives (subtle insinuation here)!

[voyechando]

well,
"12 applications per day, playing solitaire", sounds familiar, ha!
maybe you're lucky you didn't apply for citizenship in spain, I waited 2 and half years in cuba after I received a letter granting my spanish citizenship when I called to the spanish embassy in havana, they always said: "don't worry, with the letter you have, you are already an spanish citizen", but of course I couldn't travel anywhere without a passport, so the problem was,(and still is) the "registro civil central", in madrid

[sinikettu]

Oh, UVI is one of these bastions of Kekkoslovakia. KELA and VERO used to be, but these days you can get even "service"...

Hank hits the nail almost on the head...He just does not mention, That the opinion of several qualified commentators is that the current minister of Interior, Kari Rajamäki...does not want Immigrants of any shape, size, number, or colour.
When-ever his policies are questioned, by for instance the Ministry of Employment..who say that Finland needs more immigrants..he stone walls or ignores them.

At a recent political party meeting his actions were praised...That political party ..The True Finns...who are at least honest and state that their policy is to block all further immigration.

A measure of his capabilities;
At a recent EU conference that he hosted..He needed an intepreter as he has not bothered to learn English....He said it was not neccesary as he only needs to talk to Finns in his job. (Did he actualy used the word "haluaisin"....or "tarvitsen"?)

IMO...Kari just instructs his staff to "take your time, be carefull, make sure that we only let in a few, and very slowly...so we can adjust them....but just enough to prevent the Boss (Tarja) from asking questions."

[Desundial]

Based on my understanding of the current process, I could not not-handle 12.5 applications per day, even if I wanted to.

Boy, do I have to work hard for my bonus and incentives (subtle insinuation here)!

yeah, but you are honorable and would want to. anyway, don't forget what with meetings, breaks, coffee, chating, annoying foreigners calling about their applications there's gotta be like, only 4 hours of real work time (or less!) left per day. Then you have to shave off the 2 weeks before july, at least, and the two after...and every 2 days before and after any other holiday...and taza - there goes the productivity.

And as for bonuses, you don't really think that UVI has any kind of bonus and incentive structure, do you?!

[Hank W.]

And as for bonuses, you don't really think that UVI has any kind of bonus and incentive structure, do you?!

For every positive decision you get a minus point

[Mark I.]

Oh, UVI is one of these bastions of Kekkoslovakia. KELA and VERO used to be, but these days you can get even "service"...

Hank hits the nail almost on the head...He just does not mention, That the opinion of several qualified commentators is that the current minister of Interior, Kari Rajamäki...does not want Immigrants of any shape, size, number, or colour.
When-ever his policies are questioned, by for instance the Ministry of Employment..who say that Finland needs more immigrants..he stone walls or ignores them.

At a recent political party meeting his actions were praised...That political party ..The True Finns...who are at least honest and state that their policy is to block all further immigration.

A measure of his capabilities;
At a recent EU conference that he hosted..He needed an intepreter as he has not bothered to learn English....He said it was not neccesary as he only needs to talk to Finns in his job. (Did he actualy used the word "haluaisin"....or "tarvitsen"?)

IMO...Kari just instructs his staff to "take your time, be carefull, make sure that we only let in a few, and very slowly...so we can adjust them....but just enough to prevent the Boss (Tarja) from asking questions."

Rajamäki should not only be kicked out of his job, he should be hold accountable for braking Finnish Constitution's Basic Civil Rights.

Beyond shame.

[Karhunkoski]

Based on the 3 people I know who work in the Finnish public sector, the majority of the short working work is whiled away surfing the web, reading newspapers and drinking coffee. There again, once you see their salaries, they're not paid to do much more. One girl was even criticised by her colleagues at TE Keskus for working "too quickly"!

[Desundial]

One girl was even criticised by her colleagues at TE Keskus for working "too quickly"!

Those minus points in action!

[SGaudreau]

I would have to say that I agree with the frustration. I have lived here for 3 years and next year I can apply for my citizenship. I have not committed any crime, have a good job (Hank and I work for the same company), pay my taxes, own (well the bank does) an apartment, am happily married and have no speeding or parking tickets. I checked the UVI website and it is 18 months for the expected waiting time for my application to be processed!. I just want to vote damn it! (maybe I might vote *wrong*)

I will still apply though. I want to go from being "tyhmä ulkomaalainen" to "thymä maahanmuuttaja" I mean seriously, with this tropical climate, high salary and low tax rate it is eutopia

[sinikala]

I mean seriously, with this tropical climate, high salary and low tax rate it is eutopia

Not only do you work for the same company as Hank, you are starting to sound like him too

[odon]

i don't know if i am a little skeptik with this whole post, but a african friend got his citizenship in 4 months, because he had his paper in order and he just completed 4 yrs after married to a finn, they tell u in uvi to check if u have every t and dots filled and certificates then it is an answer in 6 months

also the language cerificates in order