Migri Delaying Beyond Legal Time Limit – Advice Needed

[sortynoer]

Hello,

I applied for my first residence permit on October 11, 2024, and my spouse is a Finnish citizen. We are approaching the end of the 9-month statutory processing time next week, but my application is still stuck in the very first stage: “waiting for processing.” During this time, I submitted a request to expedite the process due to valid and family-related reasons, but it was unfortunately rejected. Throughout the past 9 months, I have not received any requests for additional documents or information.

What I would like to know is this: if Migri continues to delay my application beyond the 9-month legal time limit, what steps should I take? My spouse and I have been under great stress throughout this process. As a precaution for the worst-case scenario, we planned our wedding in Finland for this summer and have made all the arrangements.

Last week, I sent an email to Migri explaining the situation. The email was read, but I haven’t received any reply.

If Migri violates the legally defined processing time, what would you recommend I do? I don’t want to call Migri just to receive a new estimated processing time, because we have already waited the full 9 months. When I submitted my application, the estimated processing time was 4 months. Everyone on the forum who applied around the same time as I did has already received their permits. Later, due to increased volume, Migri raised the estimate to 6 months, and in their latest update, they brought it back down to 5 months. If they are able to shorten the estimated waiting time, they should also be able to finalize my application within 9 months, which is my legal right.

Has anyone experienced something similar or has knowledge about this? Where can I file a complaint or how can I get a result in the fastest way possible?

Thank you in advance.

[snsfinlandforum]

I don’t have an answer, but we are in the same boat. We applied about a month after you, and are still waiting for processing. (Spouse of citizen.)

Given everything we’d read about the process, we fully expected to have an answer by now (or 9 months at the absolute latest), but now we are worried that it’ll take longer than 9 months.

I applied from my home country so I could keep working and saving money, but we set everything in motion months ago to live together at the 9 month mark. I’ve already given notice at work/apartment. I have a one way plane ticket, and now plan to buy a refundable return ticket so it doesn’t look like I’m planning to stay illegally (I don’t). We also started the paperwork for our dog.

They did ask us for an additional document the day we submitted our application, which we supplied before the deadline. Otherwise, we’ve heard nothing.

[betelgeuse]

Where can I file a complaint or how can I get a result in the fastest way possible?

If they don't meet the nine month deadline, you can file a complaint with either the Parliamentary Ombudsman or the Chancellor of Justice.

https://www.oikeusasiamies.fi/en/eoa
https://oikeuskansleri.fi/en/frontpage

[sortynoer]

Where can I file a complaint or how can I get a result in the fastest way possible?

If they don't meet the nine month deadline, you can file a complaint with either the Parliamentary Ombudsman or the Chancellor of Justice.

https://www.oikeusasiamies.fi/en/eoa
https://oikeuskansleri.fi/en/frontpage

Thank you for your advice. In your opinion, which option would be more effective? Or should I send the same complaint to both separately? My only goal is to get a quick result.

[sortynoer]

I don’t have an answer, but we are in the same boat. We applied about a month after you, and are still waiting for processing. (Spouse of citizen.)

Given everything we’d read about the process, we fully expected to have an answer by now (or 9 months at the absolute latest), but now we are worried that it’ll take longer than 9 months.

I applied from my home country so I could keep working and saving money, but we set everything in motion months ago to live together at the 9 month mark. I’ve already given notice at work/apartment. I have a one way plane ticket, and now plan to buy a refundable return ticket so it doesn’t look like I’m planning to stay illegally (I don’t). We also started the paperwork for our dog.

They did ask us for an additional document the day we submitted our application, which we supplied before the deadline. Otherwise, we’ve heard nothing.

Sorry to hear that. So you can also follow the same path with me. I hope for the best.

[betelgeuse]

Where can I file a complaint or how can I get a result in the fastest way possible?

If they don't meet the nine month deadline, you can file a complaint with either the Parliamentary Ombudsman or the Chancellor of Justice.

https://www.oikeusasiamies.fi/en/eoa
https://oikeuskansleri.fi/en/frontpage

Thank you for your advice. In your opinion, which option would be more effective? Or should I send the same complaint to both separately? My only goal is to get a quick result.

You can’t complain to both. Neither is a fast solution but at least the Parliamentary Ombudsman is known to recommend compensation in some cases.

[sortynoer]

Surprisingly 1 hour ago i got my permit…

[snsfinlandforum]

Congrats! That must feel great.

[FinlandGirl]

I applied for my first residence permit on October 11, 2024, and my spouse is a Finnish citizen. We are approaching the end of the 9-month statutory processing time next week,

Surprisingly 1 hour ago i got my permit…

Why are you calling it a surprise that you got the permit within the permitted time?
Have you never submitted some homework or thesis close to the deadline?

It is expected that applications approaching the legal deadline are getting priority treatment.