Finland’s New Alien Act Amendments Target National Security, Speed Up Removals

The approved amendments to Finland's Aliens Act — which will make it easier for authorities to deport people and impose entry bans — are set to go into effect on Friday, 12 June. In a press release on Tuesday, the interior ministry said the amendments will also expedite the enforcement of deportation decisions.

A key change is that an appeal against a deportation decision will no longer automatically postpone its enforcement. Instead, a deportation decision may be enforced 30 days after it has been served, after the time allowed for appeal has expired. An administrative court may still prohibit or suspend enforcement if requested, but the decision can be enforced once the court has dismissed the appeal.

The amendments also allow for entry bans to be imposed in advance on individuals considered a serious threat to public order, public security, or national security, including known or convicted terrorists. The ministry noted that President Alexander Stubb approved the amendments on Tuesday. The entry bans will apply to the entire Schengen area.

The ministry said that deportation decisions may be made for foreign nationals who have lived in Finland with a residence permit based on work or studies, but whose permit has been withdrawn or not extended. The amendment will not apply to deportation decision enforcement in asylum cases. "Smoother voluntary returns, more efficient forced returns and stronger national security are among the government programme's key objectives," Interior Minister Mari Rantanen (Finns) noted in the release.

The Finnish Immigration Service has stated that the voluntary departure period is often 7 to 30 days, and failure to comply can lead to an entry ban. It is possible to apply to extend the voluntary departure period, but it is exceptional and requires a specific justified reason, and you must apply before the period ends.