The Finnish Immigration Service has started issuing automated decisions for some applications, marking its steps towards the automation of the immigration system.
In a press release, the authority revealed that the automated decision could be made in applications for the first residence permit for studies, citizenship and the renewal of a residence permit and residence card, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
However, automated decisions can be implemented only in certain cases that can vary based on the type of document the application is being submitted for.
Citizenship Applications Who Filed Requests After May 2 to Receive Automated Decision
As of May 2, 2024, candidates who filed their applications for Finnish citizenship, can receive the authorities’ decision via automation if they also meet other requirements such as submitting the application online and also making the fee payment digitally; also submitted a completed application and also did not make mistakes in their request.
Applicants over the age of 18 and who do not have co-applicants or a non-disclosure for personal safety reasons may also be eligible for the facilitated automation decision.
Residence Permits & Residence Cards Can Be Automatically Renewed for Certain Categories
The Finnish Immigration Service reveals that applicants who hold a permanent residence permit or residence card for an EU citizen’s family member may have their document renewed automatically, in addition to those who have applied for a new card on April 25 and later.
Candidates with a so-called Brexit permit may also have their cards renewed automatically and so can those who have submitted a completed application in terms of presenting all the required documents.
When Can an Automated Decision Be Implemented for Study Permit Holders/Applicants?
Those applying for study residence permits can receive automated decisions, in addition to those who have been admitted to a Finnish university, registered as degree students or exchange students.
Student permit holders cannot apply for the EU mobility scheme, such as Erasmus+ if their permit is still valid, but those who have submitted their application later than October 19, 2023, can all receive an automated decision regarding their study residence permit.
Furthermore, those with a completed application as well as those who meet all the requirements for the residence permit, are eligible for an automated decision, while the Finnish Immigration Service also enables automated decisions for family members of the candidate who are not applying for a permit at the same time.
Automated decision-making can also be applied to those who have not started their studies yet and who are not applying for a D visa at the same time.
The authorities further explain that those who do not have a non-disclosure order for personal safety reasons and those who have not applied (or had been granted) international protection, can receive the decision upon their study permit via an automated system.
You can receive an automated decision on your application if you have not applied for a residence permit for an overly long period. By an overly long period, we mean a time period that clearly exceeds the target schedule for completing the degree.
Those who have never received a deportation decision from Finland and those who did not select Swedish as their language of contact are also eligible for automated decisions on their application.
