New government’s proposed changes to citizenship and residence permits

[UshaDestination]

Also Finland is the only single country in the whole EU which language is getting learnt in 1.2k hours instead of 600. Think of that.

Swedish is always an alternative to Finnish for citizenship

To obtain permanent residency, individuals must have lived in Finland for six years and must demonstrate language proficiency through a language test.

[jperickson]

The latest on this subject, posted today: https://intermin.fi/en/-/government-sub ... itizenship

The most interesting aspect to me (as I myself fall into this category) was that this seems to state that those that have passed a language test early on will continue to be lumped into the group of those that are, for example, married to Finnish citizens. Today this group gets put into the 4-year eligibility category. In the future, it would be the 5-year eligibility category. In other words, if you pass a language test before you've been in Finland for 5 years, you'll get your period of residence requirement reduced from 8 years to 5 years. Is that how others are reading this? Any reason to believe that was just misinterpreted from the text?

With the amendment, the residence requirement for children aged 15 or over, spouses of Finnish citizens, stateless persons and applicants meeting the language proficiency requirement would be extended to five years from the current four.

[approw1903]

The latest on this subject, posted today: https://intermin.fi/en/-/government-sub ... itizenship

The most interesting aspect to me (as I myself fall into this category) was that this seems to state that those that have passed a language test early on will continue to be lumped into the group of those that are, for example, married to Finnish citizens. Today this group gets put into the 4-year eligibility category. In the future, it would be the 5-year eligibility category. In other words, if you pass a language test before you've been in Finland for 5 years, you'll get your period of residence requirement reduced from 8 years to 5 years. Is that how others are reading this? Any reason to believe that was just misinterpreted from the text?

With the amendment, the residence requirement for children aged 15 or over, spouses of Finnish citizens, stateless persons and applicants meeting the language proficiency requirement would be extended to five years from the current four.

I am interpreting a bit differently. I think it says that if you clear the language test it is 5 years from what is currently 4 years. So even if someone clears it in November, he or she can still go for citizenship after they complete 5 years provided they satisfy the other conditions.

[jperickson]

I am interpreting a bit differently. I think it says that if you clear the language test it is 5 years from what is currently 4 years. So even if someone clears it in November, he or she can still go for citizenship after they complete 5 years provided they satisfy the other conditions.

I'm not spotting the difference between our interpretations. Since the government program was released and until this press release yesterday, I was under the assumption that those who are here under work permits, for example, would have to wait a full 8 years to apply for citizenship even if they had passed a language test early on. Previously those people were eligible after 4 years. Now it seems it will be 5 years (and not 8 years).

[betelgeuse]

I am interpreting a bit differently. I think it says that if you clear the language test it is 5 years from what is currently 4 years. So even if someone clears it in November, he or she can still go for citizenship after they complete 5 years provided they satisfy the other conditions.

I'm not spotting the difference between our interpretations. Since the government program was released and until this press release yesterday, I was under the assumption that those who are here under work permits, for example, would have to wait a full 8 years to apply for citizenship even if they had passed a language test early on. Previously those people were eligible after 4 years. Now it seems it will be 5 years (and not 8 years).

It’s five years in practise but allowing PS to claim it’s eight years even if most people qualify for five. So good news for applicants.

[approw1903]

I'm not spotting the difference between our interpretations. Since the government program was released and until this press release yesterday, I was under the assumption that those who are here under work permits, for example, would have to wait a full 8 years to apply for citizenship even if they had passed a language test early on. Previously those people were eligible after 4 years. Now it seems it will be 5 years (and not 8 years).

It’s five years in practise but allowing PS to claim it’s eight years even if most people qualify for five. So good news for applicants.

This is just the first phase. There will be 2 more phase come to change the law. Citizenship test, income requirement etc etc.

Yes but imo the period of residency is the hardest to be eligible for if it were 8 years or something. On the other hand, getting s good job or knowing basic stuff about Finland can still work. Period of residence is more black or white and hence my bigger concern.

[betelgeuse]

This is just the first phase. There will be 2 more phase come to change the law. Citizenship test, income requirement etc etc.

Correct. However, the citizenship test is unlikely to be particularly hard to pass. My guess is, it will be a piece of cake compared to YKI. It remains to be seen what the income limit will be set to.

[jperickson]

the citizenship test is unlikely to be particularly hard to pass.

Though it's worth saying (as I don't think I've seen this written about anywhere) that surely it'll only be offered in Finnish and Swedish, right? So on some level, even if a basic one, it'll be another language test indirectly.

[betelgeuse]

the citizenship test is unlikely to be particularly hard to pass.

Though it's worth saying (as I don't think I've seen this written about anywhere) that surely it'll only be offered in Finnish and Swedish, right? So on some level, even if a basic one, it'll be another language test indirectly.

It’s safe to assume this.

[quillcentaur]

It’s five years in practise but allowing PS to claim it’s eight years even if most people qualify for five. So good news for applicants.

This is just the first phase. There will be 2 more phase come to change the law. Citizenship test, income requirement etc etc.

Yes but imo the period of residency is the hardest to be eligible for if it were 8 years or something. On the other hand, getting s good job or knowing basic stuff about Finland can still work. Period of residence is more black or white and hence my bigger concern.

It’s only 5 based on the draft. They wrote it in a weird way like the current law. But basically 5 for everyone except those who are exempted from language skills (which is rare), they need 8.

[approw1903]

This is just the first phase. There will be 2 more phase come to change the law. Citizenship test, income requirement etc etc.

Yes but imo the period of residency is the hardest to be eligible for if it were 8 years or something. On the other hand, getting s good job or knowing basic stuff about Finland can still work. Period of residence is more black or white and hence my bigger concern.

It’s only 5 based on the draft. They wrote it in a weird way like the current law. But basically 5 for everyone except those who are exempted from language skills (which is rare), they need 8.

Yeah, I agree. I later read the article from the ministry about it and realized that it is proposed to be 5 years from the current 4 years for those who clear YKI. I too have no idea why they write it like 8 is the most common requirement, whereas it is 5, as most of the people who apply for citizenships through naturalization need to clear the language requirement. I have come across many people who have fallen into the same trap thinking that it will be 8 years.

[Xzero]

An interesting observation was that there will be no more interruption of residence time period if you stay out of Finland for less than 05 years. Only after an absence of 05 years, your time will be reset. Any days more than 365 will be just not counted as your residence time period.

Removing interruption clause hopefully goes in favor of those who had it somehow.

[jperickson]

Has anyone seen text related to applications submitted but pending when the new rules take effect? In general, I am very interested in how pending applications are effected as any of these new requirements enter into force both for citizenship and for PR.

[betelgeuse]

Has anyone seen text related to applications submitted but pending when the new rules take effect? In general, I am very interested in how pending applications are effected as any of these new requirements enter into force both for citizenship and for PR.

They will be processed using the current rules for citizenship.