COUNTRY FACTSHEET: FINLAND 213 EUROPEAN MIGRATION NETWORK 1. Introduction This EMN Country Factsheet provides a factual overview of the main policy developments in migration and international protection in Finland during 213, including latest statistics. 2. Legal Migration and Mobility 2.1. PROMOTING LEGAL MIGRATION CHANNELS Information on immigration to Finland is provided via the EU Immigration Portal by the EMN Finnish National Contact Point as well as by other channels, such as the website of the Finnish Immigration Service. 2.2. ECONOMIC MIGRATION According to the Future of Migration 22 Strategy (adopted by a Government Resolution on 13 June 213), recognition and accreditation of skills acquired elsewhere by migrants facilitate their social integration. Also the possibility to establish a Skills Recognition Centre in Finland was being examined during 213. The centre would aim to develop and spread skills recognition and evaluation methods at national level, assist higher education institutions, other educational institutions and employment and economic development administration. Finland s migration strategy also underlines that the recognition of skills contributes to Finland s competitiveness. Thus, vocational competence acquired by migrants before their arrival is highly valued. However, it remains a challenging issue, as the submission of the Government Bill on the development of the vocational qualification system was scheduled in early 214 and would enter into force in autumn 215. As for language training, the Strategy aims to design a policy which supports the building of an unprejudiced, safe and pluralistic Finland as well as enhances Finland s international competitiveness. The government s Structural Policy Programme of August 213 recognised the important role of international degree students to strengthen conditions for economic growth and bridge the sustainability gap in general government finances. As a result of the programme, foreign students will be encouraged to remain in Finland to work after gaining a qualification by a significant extension of the duration of the study permit granted after graduation (currently six months) as well as training opportunities. In 213, the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce issued a report on the possibility to establish a service (HERIEC) 1 to promote the employment of highly qualified workers with a foreign background in jobs that correspond to their education, in direct cooperation with companies and employers. 2.3. FAMILY REUNIFICATION In early 213, the Finnish Immigration Service revised and raised the requirement for means of support (in euros) required for a family member s residence permit. The changes to the requirement for means of support were implemented with internal application guidelines. During 213, Finland continued to assess the effects of the legislative changes previously made in this policy area. 2.4. INTEGRATION Following the approval of the Education and Research Development Plan 211 216, education and vocational training were emphasised as crucial elements for the integration of third-county nationals, as the acquisition of skills increases immigrants inclusion in society and employment opportunities. Thus a bill on the development of education and vocational training was reported as scheduled (see Section 2.2). The Capital Region 1 http://www.helsinki.chamber.fi/files/4963/heriec_esiselvity s_kauppakamari_ja_hera-korkeakoulut_7_1_213.pdf
Letter of Intent for Years 213-215 aiming to strengthen the integration, education and employment of immigrants through joint measures, was signed and it comprises the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce and the Regional Organisations of Enterprises in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa as new contract parties. A Centre of Expertise on Integration (established within the Ministry of Employment and the Economy) is expected to exchange good practices on integration, to employees of different professional fields. Finland has pursued integration policies objectives also by a strategic and tailored use of projects and financial resources. Among others, the Osallisena Suomessa (Participative Integration in Finland) pilot project (211 213) aimed to develop integration training, employment and social abilities among immigrants. The ALPO project also aimed to develop initial guidance and counselling for immigrants, harmonise integration services and strengthen the network of experts. The Kotoforum event, organised on 18 th April 213 as part of both aforementioned projects, offered an opportunity to learn more about the initial services offered to people immigrating into Finland and new integration training models. The Migrant Health and Wellbeing Study (21 213) collected information on the health, work ability and need for services among immigrants of Russian, Kurdi and Somali origin, such information will be used in the promotion of wellbeing, service quality and the availability and labour market potential of ethnic minorities. Also during 213, the AFRO project promoted the employment of immigrants in the public sector and security services. The project also supported immigrant organisations in preventing discrimination and hate speech. Different integration measures continued to be implemented throughout 213 by different bodies. For example, the Ministry of Education and Culture continued to financially support the youth activities aimed to promote immigrant youth s integration into the society and to enhance their active citizenship. In the field of sports, the same Ministry has also developed a multiannual programme to support the integration of immigrants. The Finnish National Board of Education has funded projects to develop national electronic tools for immigrants initial counselling and language learning. The projects charted the existing electronic opportunities to study the Finnish language and developed a curriculumcompliant learning platform for integration training linked to language skills levels. Other projects were financially supported by the Progress Programme. 2.5. MANAGING MIGRATION AND MOBILITY 2 The year 213 witnessed the gradual expansion and implementation of Visa Information System (VIS), which is now used in the diplomatic missions in Africa, the Middle East, the Persian Gulf region, South America and in Central and Southeast Asia. The diplomatic missions located in these regions do not process any other visa types than VIS visas. In 213, activities on border controls have included the preparations for the launch of a National Coordination Centre (NCC) in the framework of EUROSUR s implementation. In terms of consular representation, Finland makes an extensive use acting as the representative of another Member State in 37 cases, while being represented by another Member States in 69. 3. International Protection and Asylum On 25 th April 213, the Finnish Supreme Administrative Court issued a yearbook decision on the application of Section 51 of the Finnish Aliens Act. The latter provided clarity on how to handle situations concerning irregularly present third-country nationals who cannot be removed from the country. Overall, the Court ruled that if it is evident that a technical obstruction for returning an asylum seeker to his/her home country is likely to exist, a temporary residence permit, as defined in Section 51 of the Finnish Aliens Act, can be issued regardless of the fact that there is no enforceable return decision. During 213, the Government Programme aimed to speed up the processing of asylum applications. The measures developed by the programme are monitored by projects aimed at improving the effectiveness of the administration of immigration affairs, set up for 211 214. For example, the asylum process has been developed at the Finnish Immigration service since 212 through the ERF-financed Lean-projects (Lean and Lean2). Furthermore, the VIPRO2 and HAAPA projects aim to streamline the placement in municipalities and increase the number of municipal placements available for refugees. As part of the VIPRO project, a handbook on the reception of refugees was prepared for the employees and decision-makers of municipalities. Also, an ongoing project for the development of the service system for vulnerable asylum seekers (HAPKE) has been running since October 212 under the Finnish Immigration Service. The second phase, HAPKE 2 began on 1st July 213. The Finnish Immigration Service and Finn Church Aid introduced cultural orientation education for quota 2 Managing migration and mobility refers to the following themes: visa policy, Schengen governance and border monitoring. 2
refugees. It is the first time such diverse instructions are provided before their arrival in Finland. The first session began in Ankara, Turkey on 21 st October 213 and involved quota refugees from various conflict regions already selected for admission to Finland. Similar education sessions were also held in Rwanda and Malawi. In 213, the Finnish Immigration Service participated in Asylum Support Teams to train decision-makers in the Greek asylum process. 4. Unaccompanied Minors and other Vulnerable Groups Following heavy criticisms, a legislative project was being developed in 213, in order to exclude unaccompanied minors seeking international protection from detention. In addition, the position of unaccompanied minors has been reviewed in relation to the assistance of the victims of trafficking in human beings. 5. Actions against Trafficking in Human Beings The ministerial working group on internal security decided to establish an anti-trafficking coordinator under the Finnish Ministry of the Interior s Police Department. Its role will be supported by a secretariat, including representatives of the key ministries, and directed by a steering group. A proposal 3 for the establishment of a coordination network for antitrafficking activities involving key non-governmental organisations was also introduced. During 213, the Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings (TF-THB) of the Council of Baltic Sea States (CBSS) met regularly and a conference in 214 around the theme of help and support provided to victims of trafficking in human beings was expected. 6. External Dimension of EU Migration Policy The Development Policy Programme of 212 identifies migration as one of the themes of policy coherence for development. According to the latter, Finland pursues a coherent policy approach both nationally and internationally. This is reflected in the active role within the Global Forum for Migration and Development (GFMD). Finland continued to support diaspora-based civil society organisations through an annual budget allocation of about 3.2 million euro. For example, such included the project Institutionalising Health Care Improvement through Temporary Returns of Somali Health Professionals Residing in Finland", (IOM, 28-214) which aimed to build capacity of Finnish-Somali health professionals in Somaliland and Puntland. 7. Irregular Migration The Future of Migration 22 strategy emphasises the importance to reduce and prevent shadow economy. During 213, measures were undertaken in the framework of the Government s intensified Action Plan to Reduce Economic Crime and the Shadow Economy for the years 212 215. In addition, more effective observance of employment terms through systematic collaboration among the different authorities was foreseen as well as efforts to disseminate information in the countries of origin about Finland s employment legislation and employment terms for persons coming to work in Finland. Regarding prevention of irregular migration, Finland supported Member States experiencing pressures through 15 Frontex joint operations in 213. It also developed bilateral cooperation with the Western Balkan countries by organising training for officials in non-eu countries, mainly Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova and Turkey. In 213, nine Finnish Immigration Liaison Officers (ILOs) were posted abroad (China, Estonia, India, Latvia and Nigeria and four in Russia) to provide constant training for the consular staff and staff of air carriers in the event of new flight routes to Finland. Their role was crucial in preventing the granting of visas for more than 5,5 illegal immigrants. 8. Provision and Exchange of Information to support Policy Development At EU level, the exchange of information takes place in the Visa Working Party, the Visa Committee and the Frontiers Working Party. Finland also continued to exchange information through the European Migration Network (EMN). At regional level, Finland continued its commitment in the framework of the Nordic Joint Advisory Group on Refugee Policy (NSHF). On 1 st 1 July 213, Finland undertook the presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS). During the same year, Finland chaired the Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings (see Section 5) and hosted the annual meeting of Nordic integration specialists/officers in connection with the Metropolis Conference in Tampere. STATISTICAL ANNEX The Statistical Annex provides an overview of the latest available statistics for Finland on aspects of migration and asylum (21-213), including residence, asylum, unaccompanied minors, irregular migration, return and visas. Where statistics are not yet available, this is indicated in the Annex as N/A. 3 http://www.intermin.fi/julkaisu/15213 (in Finnish) 3
Statistical Annex: Immigration and Asylum in Finland (211-213) Figure 1: First residence permits, by reason (211-213) 25, 2, 15, 1, 5, Total Family reasons Education reasons Remunerated activities 211 212 213 Other reasons Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_resfirst), extracted 28 July 214 Table 1: First residence permits: Top five third-country nationalities (211-213) 211 212 213 1. Russia 4,374 1. Russia 4,544 1. Russia 4,136 2. India 1,433 2. China 1,442 2. India 1,699 3. China 1,389 3. India 1,119 3. China 1,571 4. Iraq 886 4. Ukraine 866 4. Somalia 991 5. Somalia 85 5. United States 87 5. Ukraine- 938 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_resfirst), extracted 28 July 214 Figure 2: Resident population of third-country nationals (21-213) 14, 12, 1, 8, 6, 4, 2, 15,42 113,438 117,922 211 212 213 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_pop1ctz), extracted 4 June 214 Table 2: Resident population: Top five third-country nationalities (211-213) 211 212 213 1.Russia 28,426 1.Russia 29,585 1.Russia 3,183 2.Somalia 6,593 2.Somalia 7,421 2.Somalia 7,468 3.China 5,559 3.China 6,159 3.China 6,622 4.Iraq 5,24 4.Iraq 5,742 4.Thailand 6,31 5.Thailand 5,21 5.Thailand 5,545 5. Iraq 5,919 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_pop1ctz), extracted 4 June 214 4
Figure 3: Asylum applications (211-213) 3,5 3, 2,5 2, 1,5 1, 5 2,975 3,115 3,22 211 212 213 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_asyappctza), extracted 4 June 214 Table 3: Asylum applications: Top five third-country nationalities (211-213) 211 212 213 1.Iraq 58 1.Iraq 83 1.Iraq 82 2. Somalia 34 2. Russia 225 2. Russia 245 3. Russia 29 3. Afghanistan 21 3. Somalia 215 4. Afghanistan 28 4. Somalia 2 4. Nigeria 25 5. Iran 12 5. Syria 185 5. Afghanistan 2 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_asyappctza), extracted 4 June 214 Table 4: Asylum applications - First instance decisions by outcome (211-213) Total decisions Positive decisions Refugee status Of which: Subsidiary protection Humanitarian reasons Negative decisions 211 2,645 1,65 16 715 19 1,58 212 3,11 1,555 545 775 24 1,555 213 3,19 1,62 54 785 295 1,575 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_asydcfsta), extracted 4 June 214 Figures 4-6: Asylum applications - First instance decisions by outcome (211-213) 211 212 213 6% 17 % 17% Granted refugee status 6% 27% 5 % 25 % 49% 25% Granted subsidiary protection Granted humanitarian protection 7% 8% 9% Negative decisions Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_asydcfsta), extracted 4 June 214 Table 5: Third-country nationals relocated and resettled (211-213) 211 212 213 Third-country nationals relocated N/A N/A N/A Third-country nationals resettled 585 73 675 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_asyresa), extracted 6 June 214 and Commission Staff Working Document -Accompanying the 5th Annual Report on Immigration and Asylum 213 5
Figure 7: Unaccompanied minors (211-213) Table 6: Unaccompanied minors (211-213) 162 16 158 156 154 152 15 148 146 144 15 155 16 211 212 213 211 212 213* Unaccompanied minors (total) 4 15 155 16 Unaccompanied minors not applying for asylum Unaccompanied minor asylum applicants N/A N/A N/A 15 165 16 Source: National contributions to EMN Annual Policy Report, * EMN, A Descriptive Analysis of the Impacts of the Stockholm Programme 21-213 Table 7: Number of third-country nationals refused entry at external borders (211-213) 211 212 213 Third-country nationals refused entry at external borders 1,42 1,64 1,735 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_eirfs), extracted 4 June 214 Figure 8: Number of third-country nationals found to be illegally present (211-213) 4, 3, 2, 1, 3,35 3,62 3,365 211 212 213 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_eipre), extracted 4 June 214 Table 8: Third-country nationals returned (211-213) Third-country Returned as part of Returned Returned through an Assisted nationals ordered to forced return measures voluntarily Voluntary Return Programme leave 211 4,685 2,21 35 35 212 4,3 N/A 32* 32* 213 4,33 1,672 1,474 264 Source: Eurostat migration statistics (migr_eiord), extracted 4 June 214 and Commission Staff Working Document - Accompanying the 5th Annual Report on Immigration and Asylum 213 Table 9: Number of visas issued by type (211-213) 211 212 213 Total visas 1,244,68* 1,376,425 1,554,61** Schengen visa (short-stay visas)* 1,244,683 1,373,848 1,552,887 National visa N/A N/A N/A Source: Commission Staff Working Documents on the Annual Report on Immigration and Asylum; *DG HOME Statistics on Visa Policy website: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/visapolicy/index_en.htm and EMN, A Descriptive Analysis of the Impacts of the Stockholm Programme 21-213; ** data provided by FI EMN National Contact Point. 4 The total number of unaccompanied minors only reflects the number of those minors that applied for asylum given that all unaccompanied minors that arrive in Finland are usually seeking for asylum. 6