In an effort to strengthen immigration management and enhance internal security, Finland has proposed to tighten some of the rules that currently apply to foreigners undergoing the asylum process, reforming its Aliens Act.
According to the Finnish Ministry of Interior, the country wants to prevent asylum seekers from changing their status to applicants for work-related residence permits while their asylum process is still ongoing or after the completion of the procedure.
The goal is to prevent asylum seekers from transitioning to work-based residence permit applicants while the asylum process is in progress or while the person is still in the country after the asylum procedure.
In line with the proposal, restrictions would also apply to those with a student residence permit. If new rules start applying, applications for residence permits submitted in Finland during or after the asylum process would no longer be processed.
However, it has been stressed that the change in the current rules would not affect those under temporary protection.
Finland has proposed to introduce other changes to its current law, too. The other proposed changes to Finland’s Aliens Act would permit the country to accelerate the returns of those who have received a negative decision on their asylum application.
In addition to the above-mentioned, in its draft law on the reforms of the Aliens Act, the Finnish Ministry of Interior has proposed to tighten the requirement for authorities and residence permit applicants to provide clear proof of identity.
In cases when a residence permit could be granted without a travel document under the current rules, the proposed reforms would require applicants to have obtained a travel document or demonstrated effort to obtain one.
Additionally, applicants would also be required to present reliable proof of their identity.
To enhance security measures, the reforms also propose the possibility of sharing biometric data such as facial images and fingerprints.
In connection with the reform, it would also be possible to hand over fingerprint and facial image data stored in the police register under the Aliens Act to return and entry ban notices stored in the Schengen information system.
The sharing of biometric data would help the country to issue notices of return and entry bans. The inclusion of biometric data would also empower authorities to verify the identity of people who are subject to these notices.
The proposed changes to the Aliens Act are open for public consultation until February 20, 2024, and once the consultation period is over, a decision on the new rules will be made.
