What happens after I applied for asylum?

➡️Visit the Government website to access all Finland’s asylum procedure information.

Step 1 – Registration

After you have submitted an asylum application, the Finnish Immigration Service will register it. Within the Finnish Immigration Service, the Asylum Unit will assess which country is responsible for processing your asylum application. Upon registration, you will receive a certificate of applicant of international protection from the registering authority. It is important that you keep these documents in a safe place and that you always carry a copy of them with you.

➡️Find here the list of service points on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service.

If Finland is responsible for handling your asylum application, the specialized officers of the Asylum Unit within the Finnish Immigration Service will proceed with the assessment of your asylum application. The Finnish Immigration Service will initiate the procedure, which generally takes up to 6 months.

After your application has been registered, you will have the status of an asylum-seeker until a final decision is made. As an asylum-seeker, you will be placed in an accommodation centre. In exceptional cases, the court may authorise your detention.

➡️Click here for information regarding the rights and obligations of asylum seekers.

Step 2 – Interview

You will be given the opportunity to explain the reasons for seeking asylum in Finland during an individual interview. The asylum interview is a very important step in the asylum procedure.

During the interview, you have an opportunity to provide as much information as possible in support of your asylum application and present all available documents in support of your asylum claim. It is important to give a full account of what had happened to you and what you fear if you are returned to your country of origin.

The Finnish authorities will not share any of the information you provide during your application for asylum (documents, records during asylum interview with you) with your home country or anyone else.


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