Citizenship Application 2023

[RandomDude]

I got reply from Migri that the waiting time for my application is 27 months.. I identified myself 6 months ago. That sounds scary..

I wouldn't bother too much yet, this sounds like a template response for all "how long to wait" questions.

[37yqp8098y5]

I got reply from Migri that the waiting time for my application is 27 months.. I identified myself 6 months ago. That sounds scary..

If you applied about 6 months ago too then you should be fine. You got in after the automation system went into force, it's those of us before that which are likely waiting ages.

[Auringon_kukka]

The new government's program makes for interesting reading, especially where immigration is concerned. Quoting from Yle:

"In future, obtaining a permanent residence permit will require six years of residence, a language proficiency test, a two-year work history without long-term unemployment or income support, and a requirement of an impeccable record.

Citizenship rules are also to be tightened, with the minimum residence requirement extended to eight years, along with an income requirement and mandatory civics and language tests."

Not surprised about civics tests for citizenship, as many other countries have them.

Comments?

[pizzapasta]

The new government's program makes for interesting reading, especially where immigration is concerned. Quoting from Yle:

"In future, obtaining a permanent residence permit will require six years of residence, a language proficiency test, a two-year work history without long-term unemployment or income support, and a requirement of an impeccable record.

Citizenship rules are also to be tightened, with the minimum residence requirement extended to eight years, along with an income requirement and mandatory civics and language tests."

Not surprised about civics tests for citizenship, as many other countries have them.

Comments?

Yeah a lot these changes wouldn’t really negatively affect people who have already been working hard, paying their taxes, aren’t taking advantage of the system and are abiding by the laws. The main significant change in my opinion would be the minimum residence requirements being upwardly adjusted. As far as the civics and language tests go, I’m all for it.

[No_doo]

Will these changes “when they get into force” impact us who are waiting for our applications to be processed?

[sealgat]

Well i got citizenship but now i am afraid that at some point will lose it cause i have 2. It is almost impossible to revoke my country citizenship it takes one year and costs almost 1000 e. So i think these who get citizenship should also be concerned. U r thinking that u r working, paying taxes etc and nothing will happen to you, but what if u will lose job because of incident etc? I signed petition on change org against new laws supposedly it is worth of signing cause if there will be 50000 it goes to parliament. I think new citizens should not ignore it, it may affect us too!

[Auringon_kukka]

Will these changes “when they get into force” impact us who are waiting for our applications to be processed?

My off-the-cuff answer would be the proposed amendments (they still have to go before Parliament) shouldn't affect applications already in the system. If and when the amendments take effect, they should apply from that date forward.

[Auringon_kukka]

Well i got citizenship but now i am afraid that at some point will lose it cause i have 2. It is almost impossible to revoke my country citizenship it takes one year and costs almost 1000 e. So i think these who get citizenship should also be concerned. U r thinking that u r working, paying taxes etc and nothing will happen to you, but what if u will lose job because of incident etc? I signed petition on change org against new laws supposedly it is worth of signing cause if there will be 50000 it goes to parliament. I think new citizens should not ignore it, it may affect us too!

Link to petition on change.org?

I have glanced at the section in the government's program on the proposed changes to permanent residency and citizenship. I see the following: "Selvitetään mahdollisuudet siirtyä kaksoiskansalaisuusjärjestelmän osalta vastavuoroisuusperiaatteeseen huomioiden lapsen oikeudet ja
perheoikeudelliset kysymykset."

So, loosely translated, they want to explore options for transitioning from a dual-citizenship system to one based on the principle of reciprocity, taking children's rights and family-law issues into account. To me the language is vague. Anyone care to clarify?

[FinlandGirl]

Well i got citizenship but now i am afraid that at some point will lose it cause i have 2. It is almost impossible to revoke my country citizenship it takes one year and costs almost 1000 e. So i think these who get citizenship should also be concerned. U r thinking that u r working, paying taxes etc and nothing will happen to you, but what if u will lose job because of incident etc?

Citizenship cannot be revoked based on employment status.

[FinlandGirl]

Yeah a lot these changes wouldn’t really negatively affect people who have already been working hard, paying their taxes, aren’t taking advantage of the system and are abiding by the laws. The main significant change in my opinion would be the minimum residence requirements being upwardly adjusted.

If you have a university degree or earn 40k/year (which is below the average salary in Finland) the permanent residence permit stays available after 4 years, which covers most people who did not come as a spouse.

[RandomDude]

This is not below the average salary at all. In fact, many native Finns live their whole lives without making that amount per year.

40k a year is about 3,3k eur per month that is indeed less that the average salary in Finland: "Tilastokeskuksen tuoreen katsauksen mukaan vuonna 2021 kokoaikaisten palkansaajien kokonaisansioiden keskiarvo oli 3 734 euroa. Kokonaisansioiden mediaani eli keskimmäinen palkka oli 3 314 euroa." (c) Yle

And it makes total sense that the Finnish state is not interested in getting new residents who cannot even make an average income.

[merryberry]

Well i got citizenship but now i am afraid that at some point will lose it cause i have 2. It is almost impossible to revoke my country citizenship it takes one year and costs almost 1000 e. So i think these who get citizenship should also be concerned. U r thinking that u r working, paying taxes etc and nothing will happen to you, but what if u will lose job because of incident etc? I signed petition on change org against new laws supposedly it is worth of signing cause if there will be 50000 it goes to parliament. I think new citizens should not ignore it, it may affect us too!

Link to petition on change.org?

I have glanced at the section in the government's program on the proposed changes to permanent residency and citizenship. I see the following: "Selvitetään mahdollisuudet siirtyä kaksoiskansalaisuusjärjestelmän osalta vastavuoroisuusperiaatteeseen huomioiden lapsen oikeudet ja
perheoikeudelliset kysymykset."

So, loosely translated, they want to explore options for transitioning from a dual-citizenship system to one based on the principle of reciprocity, taking children's rights and family-law issues into account. To me the language is vague. Anyone care to clarify?

Wtf would be the point of this? And do they realize they will be shooting themselves in the foot? Lots of “native” Finns have dual citizenships.

[Schmania]

Well i got citizenship but now i am afraid that at some point will lose it cause i have 2. It is almost impossible to revoke my country citizenship it takes one year and costs almost 1000 e. So i think these who get citizenship should also be concerned. U r thinking that u r working, paying taxes etc and nothing will happen to you, but what if u will lose job because of incident etc? I signed petition on change org against new laws supposedly it is worth of signing cause if there will be 50000 it goes to parliament. I think new citizens should not ignore it, it may affect us too!

Link to petition on change.org?

I have glanced at the section in the government's program on the proposed changes to permanent residency and citizenship. I see the following: "Selvitetään mahdollisuudet siirtyä kaksoiskansalaisuusjärjestelmän osalta vastavuoroisuusperiaatteeseen huomioiden lapsen oikeudet ja
perheoikeudelliset kysymykset."

So, loosely translated, they want to explore options for transitioning from a dual-citizenship system to one based on the principle of reciprocity, taking children's rights and family-law issues into account. To me the language is vague. Anyone care to clarify?

https://www.change.org/p/on-against-the ... nce-and-ci

[RandomDude]

https://www.change.org/p/on-against-the ... nce-and-ci

"We are a group of skilled workers, a vital part of Finland's thriving workforce, writing to express our profound concerns over the proposed changes to the country's residency requirements for Permanent Residence and Citizenship. These changes include an increase in residency requirements from 4 to 8 years for citizenship and from 4 to 6 years for permanent residency, alongside new prerequisites like language proficiency, income requirements, and a two-year work history without long-term unemployment or income support."
"We have been contributing significantly to the Finnish economy and society, and we hoped to cement our futures here."

If you are skilled worker, then income/language/work history requirement are fulfilled almost automatically.

And unless you want to move out of Finland while benefiting Finnish passport as soon as possible - waiting for eight years for citizenship shouldn't be an issue.

[RandomDude]

Not everyone thinks only about themselves and their own comfort. People have immigrant friends who are going to struggle more with the new laws and feel empathy towards them.
I have a Japanese colleague on a B-permit who's worried. I have a Iranian friend who's a student and also working part-time who's worried. Even if my situation is fine, I care about them.

It is natural to be worried about your friends! And the idea is that they will be able to live in Finland as long as it takes to master their skills and fulfil new requirements for becoming a permanent resident or a citizen.