Applying for Citizenship 2024

[Sergo]

Got my decision today, I'm finally a Finnish Citizen!

Here is my timeline:
24.10.2022 Applied online.
17.11.2022 Visited Migri.
31.10.2024 The processing started.
06.11.2024 Got a request for supplementary information. Replied same day.
21.11.2024 Decision ready.

The last weeks have been really stressful, I was hoping to get an answer in few days max after supplying addional documents, instead it took weeks, so I'm glad the wait is finally over.

Good luck to everyone waiting for a decision, especially others waiting since 2022 like me. I hope you get it soon!

[Sergo]

Got my decision today, I'm finally a Finnish Citizen!

Here is my timeline:
24.10.2022 Applied online.
17.11.2022 Visited Migri.
31.10.2024 The processing started.
06.11.2024 Got a request for supplementary information. Replied same day.
21.11.2024 Decision ready.

The last weeks have been really stressful, I was hoping to get an answer in few days max after supplying addional documents, instead it took weeks, so I'm glad the wait is finally over.

Good luck to everyone waiting for a decision, especially others waiting since 2022 like me. I hope you get it soon!

Congratulations from the bottom of my heart, this is actually good news. All the best to you.

[Sergo]

Got my decision today, I'm finally a Finnish Citizen!

Here is my timeline:
24.10.2022 Applied online.
17.11.2022 Visited Migri.
31.10.2024 The processing started.
06.11.2024 Got a request for supplementary information. Replied same day.
21.11.2024 Decision ready.

The last weeks have been really stressful, I was hoping to get an answer in few days max after supplying addional documents, instead it took weeks, so I'm glad the wait is finally over.

Good luck to everyone waiting for a decision, especially others waiting since 2022 like me. I hope you get it soon!

Congratulations from the bottom of my heart, this is actually good news. All the best to you.

[Boston_MA]

Got my decision today, I'm finally a Finnish Citizen!

Here is my timeline:
24.10.2022 Applied online.
17.11.2022 Visited Migri.
31.10.2024 The processing started.
06.11.2024 Got a request for supplementary information. Replied same day.
21.11.2024 Decision ready.

The last weeks have been really stressful, I was hoping to get an answer in few days max after supplying addional documents, instead it took weeks, so I'm glad the wait is finally over.

Good luck to everyone waiting for a decision, especially others waiting since 2022 like me. I hope you get it soon!

What fantastic news!!! I’m so happy for you. And as a 2023 applicant, let me say that I too will be very happy if all the 2022 applicants who have been waiting so long receive positive decisions before 2024 comes to an end!!!

[BringMePulla]

Hi all,

I got my citizenship today . Today also marked my 4th week of being in processing. I woke up to the 4 week email this morning thinking it was my decision, but my decision ended up coming around 10 this morning. I have no idea why my processing took so long, I was never asked to give additional information but I updated my payment stubs and my bank account information anyways after about a week of being in process. The only thing I can think is my home country was slow to provide information they requested.

Some basic background for everyone:

Moved to Finland in January 2019.
Submitted citizenship application: 15.1.2024
Received diary number: 18.1.2024
Staged to in processing: 24.10.2024
Decision issued: 21.11.2024 at 10am

Some other details: I came here to work as a special expert and moved here without a residence permit, but I came from a visa free country. I lived here for less than 1 week before receiving my type A permit in Jan 2019. I also applied for citizenship on exactly 5 years from when I received my first residence permit. Weirdly enough I actually submitted my application because I was worried about the new law changes for citizenship but I met the requirements anyways for the new law. I also traveled a lot throughout my time here, like more than 200 days of total travel, but my longest trip was only a single 1 month holiday, and most were less than 2 weeks with the majority being long weekends (3-4 days).

I wanted to say thanks to everyone here, it has really helped me and been a good place to ask questions and get opinions. I hope everyone can receive their decisions quickly and without worry. Good luck to everyone, and I hope to still be around like auringon_kukka (who I want to give a special thanks to because you are just awesome and kind to all of us here!) to wish everyone congratulations in the future

[Auringon_kukka]

It's my turn now

19.02.2024 Got a diary number.
18.11.2024 Went into stage 2.
20.11.2024 Received the decision.

Background: non-EU (Eastern Europe).

I just want to say thank you to everyone here, you guys have kept me sane throughout the process even though it did not take as long as for some people here. All the best to all of you!

Congratulations

[Auringon_kukka]

Hi all,

I got my citizenship today . Today also marked my 4th week of being in processing. I woke up to the 4 week email this morning thinking it was my decision, but my decision ended up coming around 10 this morning. I have no idea why my processing took so long, I was never asked to give additional information but I updated my payment stubs and my bank account information anyways after about a week of being in process. The only thing I can think is my home country was slow to provide information they requested.

Some basic background for everyone:

Moved to Finland in January 2019.
Submitted citizenship application: 15.1.2024
Received diary number: 18.1.2024
Staged to in processing: 24.10.2024
Decision issued: 21.11.2024 at 10am

Some other details: I came here to work as a special expert and moved here without a residence permit, but I came from a visa free country. I lived here for less than 1 week before receiving my type A permit in Jan 2019. I also applied for citizenship on exactly 5 years from when I received my first residence permit. Weirdly enough I actually submitted my application because I was worried about the new law changes for citizenship but I met the requirements anyways for the new law. I also traveled a lot throughout my time here, like more than 200 days of total travel, but my longest trip was only a single 1 month holiday, and most were less than 2 weeks with the majority being long weekends (3-4 days).

I wanted to say thanks to everyone here, it has really helped me and been a good place to ask questions and get opinions. I hope everyone can receive their decisions quickly and without worry. Good luck to everyone, and I hope to still be around like auringon_kukka (who I want to give a special thanks to because you are just awesome and kind to all of us here!) to wish everyone congratulations in the future

Congratulations (and thanks for the shout-out!)

[guffadi]

I wanted to post for a while but because of the recaptcha thing on account registration,I couldn't create an account.
Now that I have it, here are the timelines of my application:
16.03.2024 - Online application
20.03.2024 - Visited migri, diary number created.
04.11.2024 - Moved to stage 2, about 7:30 in the morning.
04.11.2024 - Same day around 18:00 in the evening received positive decision.
Good luck all who are waiting for the decision.

[MileLe]

Hi, my timeline
22.02.24 application submitted
23.02.24 migri visited
19.11.24 16.55 applications moved to stage 2
21.11.24 15.35 positive decision recieved

Me and my husband both applied, two our kids were added as coapplicants to both our applications. This was actually an advice from migri worker, who confirmed our identities. I was not sure if we can apply from both parents or just one, she said as it’s free of charge it’s better to apply from both in case our applications will be processed with different timing. I was concerned about timing too, but both our application moved into processing simultaniously.
We moved to Finland from Russia in August 2019 with B type. In July 2021 changed to A, never applied for permanent residence. Good luck to everyone here! I was sooooo depressed lately when decision didn’t came after 7 months. I literally survived last two months by checking this Forum every day, so thank you so much!

[barbosik]

It's my turn now

19.02.2024 Got a diary number.
18.11.2024 Went into stage 2.
20.11.2024 Received the decision.

Background: non-EU (Eastern Europe).

I just want to say thank you to everyone here, you guys have kept me sane throughout the process even though it did not take as long as for some people here. All the best to all of you!

Congratulations

Thank you, Auringon_kukka! You've been the one maintaining a positive atmosphere here.

[BringMePulla]

Hi, my timeline
22.02.24 application submitted
23.02.24 migri visited
19.11.24 16.55 applications moved to stage 2
21.11.24 15.35 positive decision recieved

Me and my husband both applied, two our kids were added as coapplicants to both our applications. This was actually an advice from migri worker, who confirmed our identities. I was not sure if we can apply from both parents or just one, she said as it’s free of charge it’s better to apply from both in case our applications will be processed with different timing. I was concerned about timing too, but both our application moved into processing simultaniously.
We moved to Finland from Russia in August 2019 with B type. In July 2021 changed to A, never applied for permanent residence. Good luck to everyone here! I was sooooo depressed lately when decision didn’t came after 7 months. I literally survived last two months by checking this Forum every day, so thank you so much!

Congratulations to you!!

[RezheenA]

It’s probably common knowledge here but are there any obvious reasons why an application would take 2 years while another could be finalized within 9 months assuming both came to finland with a residence permit, both applied online, and neither had any legal matters?

[X6InhEswsi7lLAQ]

It’s probably common knowledge here but are there any obvious reasons why an application would take 2 years while another could be finalized within 9 months assuming both came to finland with a residence permit, both applied online, and neither had any legal matters?

When you apply, their system will automatically try to estimate the amount of work necessary by a human to process your application. Applications that require more work will be put in the longer queues. This is not very logical, of course, but it seems to be the way it is.

These are all based on comments by others and personal chats and are NOT just guesses.

We have strong/strong-ish evidence that the following things might get you in the long queues:
- Being a refugee (complicated cases)
- Having outstanding fines or payments in general (they seem to wait to give you time, instead of quickly rejecting)
- Defrauding kela either on purpose or by mistake, and not having paid them back yet (specific case reported on this forum, migri opaquely waited as long as possible, to give them time)

OK evidence:
- Not being traditionally employed, e.g. being self-employed or living off of capital gains (can't check financials automatically)
- Being a citizen of a country on the list (difficult to get reliable information about applicant)

Weak evidence:
- Being stateless (not up there, as they are supposed to have priority, while making for complicated cases at the same time)
- Applying early (system might de-prioritize the application to give it more time to reach the threshold)
- Having multiple citizenships (more information to collect)
- Being an EU citizen (becoming a Finnish citizen won't make your situation any more stable)

I'm sure there are other things as well, or some of mine might be incorrect.

[BringMePulla]

It’s probably common knowledge here but are there any obvious reasons why an application would take 2 years while another could be finalized within 9 months assuming both came to finland with a residence permit, both applied online, and neither had any legal matters?

There’s not really a lot of information on this topic outside of others guessing, especially when 2 people with nearly identical applications can have very different timelines. Outside of being a refugee, crimes, or large fines/unpaid debts, one of the only “known” reasons why it might take longer is because you are an entrepreneur as your main source of income. I’m sure others can give some more information that I’m just forgetting right now, but it does seem pretty random on how some get fast and other slow decisions.

Another thing that could have an impact is filling out your application incorrectly. Like say you accidentally selected that you had committed a crime, and then sent a message correcting that, the automated sorting probably still puts you in a slow queue for a manager to review. And of course if you try and submit the application without your YKI/language certificate or way before your residency requirement, that would slow processing down.

[BringMePulla]

It’s probably common knowledge here but are there any obvious reasons why an application would take 2 years while another could be finalized within 9 months assuming both came to finland with a residence permit, both applied online, and neither had any legal matters?

When you apply, their system will automatically try to estimate the amount of work necessary by a human to process your application. Applications that require more work will be put in the longer queues. This is not very logical, of course, but it seems to be the way it is.

These are all based on comments by others and personal chats and are NOT just guesses.

We have strong/strong-ish evidence that the following things might get you in the long queues:
- Being a refugee (complicated cases)
- Having outstanding fines or payments in general (they seem to wait to give you time, instead of quickly rejecting)
- Defrauding kela either on purpose or by mistake, and not having paid them back yet (specific case reported on this forum, migri opaquely waited as long as possible, to give them time)

OK evidence:
- Not being traditionally employed, e.g. being self-employed or living off of capital gains (can't check financials automatically)
- Being a citizen of a country on the list (difficult to get reliable information about applicant)

Weak evidence:
- Being stateless (not up there, as they are supposed to have priority, while making for complicated cases at the same time)
- Applying early (system might de-prioritize the application to give it more time to reach the threshold)
- Having multiple citizenships (more information to collect)
- Being an EU citizen (becoming a Finnish citizen won't make your situation any more stable)

I'm sure there are other things as well, or some of mine might be incorrect.

Looks like you beat me by a few minutes and you laid out the information and guesses way better than me
Nice compilation of reasons, and how reliable those are