Entry Ban Finland
An entry ban (maahantulukielto) prevents a foreign national from entering Finland and, in most cases, the entire Schengen area. It can be fixed-term (usually up to five years) or indefinite. You can appeal an entry ban — the appeal deadline and procedure must always be verified from the appeal instructions (valitusosoitus) included with the decision. A fixed-term ban can be lifted if circumstances have changed. The Supreme Administrative Court ruled on 3 September 2026 (KHO:2026:66) on how an entry ban affects new residence permit applications.
An entry ban (maahantulukielto) prevents you from entering Finland and usually the entire Schengen area. You can appeal — the exact deadline and procedure are stated in the appeal instructions (valitusosoitus) included with the decision.
What is an entry ban in Finland?
An entry ban (maahantulukielto) is a formal decision prohibiting a foreign national from entering Finland. In practice, the ban is recorded in the Schengen Information System (SIS), which means it prevents entry to the entire Schengen area — not just Finland. An entry ban can be fixed-term (usually up to five years) or indefinite (toistaiseksi). An entry ban is not the same as deportation: deportation is an order to leave the country, while an entry ban prevents re-entry. An entry ban is often issued together with a deportation order, but it can also be issued independently — for example, based on a criminal conviction or a security threat.
Why can an entry ban be imposed?
An entry ban can be imposed for several reasons under the Aliens Act, including: a prior deportation or removal that was not carried out voluntarily, a criminal conviction, residing in Finland without a valid permit, threatening public order or security, or providing false or misleading information at a border check. An entry ban can also be imposed if a person is considered a threat to national security or to the fundamental rights of others. The duration of the ban depends on the grounds: a ban based on a serious crime can be longer than one based on a minor immigration violation. The decision document states the grounds and the duration.
How can an entry ban be lifted?
A fixed-term entry ban can be lifted (purettu) if the circumstances that led to the ban have changed and the grounds for the ban no longer apply. The application to lift the ban is filed with Migri. The application must present concrete grounds — for example, that the reason for the ban has been resolved, that your circumstances have changed significantly, or that a new residence or entry ground has arisen. An indefinite (toistaiseksi) ban is harder to lift, but it may be possible if circumstances change significantly. Lifting a ban requires a well-grounded application; a simple request without supporting evidence will not succeed. A lawyer can assess whether lifting is realistic and draft the application.
KHO:2026:66 – how does an entry ban affect a new residence permit application?
The Supreme Administrative Court issued ruling KHO:2026:66 on 3 September 2026, addressing the relationship between a refused residence permit, an entry ban, and the EU Return Directive (2008/115/EC). The ruling clarified that an existing entry ban can be taken into account in the overall assessment of a new residence permit application under both national aliens law and the EU Return Directive. The ruling does not mean that a new permit is automatically granted or denied in all similar situations — each case is assessed on its individual facts, including the nature of the entry ban, the grounds for the new application, and the applicant's overall circumstances. If you have an active entry ban and are applying for a new residence permit, KHO:2026:66 may be a key legal basis for arguing that the application should be processed or that the ban's effect should be reassessed. A lawyer can assess how the ruling applies to your situation and how the application or appeal should be grounded.
What is the appeal deadline for an entry ban?
An entry ban decision can be appealed to the administrative court. The applicable deadline and appeal procedure must always be verified from the appeal instructions provided with the decision. If you were turned back at the border, the appeal may target both the entry ban and the refusal-of-entry decision. It is important to check the valitusosoitus in the decision document for the exact deadline and the correct appellate authority. During the appeal, the entry ban remains in effect — meaning you cannot enter Finland while the appeal is pending, unless the court suspends enforcement of the ban. A lawyer can confirm the deadline, identify the correct authority, and draft the appeal.
How much does an entry ban case cost?
Some entry ban cases qualify for public legal aid, which covers most or all of the lawyer's fees for applicants meeting the income thresholds. For private clients, our hourly rate is 250 EUR/h. Drafting an appeal against an entry ban typically costs 1,000–2,500 EUR, and an application to lift a fixed-term ban 1,000–2,000 EUR. Full representation in an administrative court hearing adds 1,500–3,500 EUR. We always provide a written cost estimate before starting any work. If you qualify for legal aid, your out-of-pocket cost may be zero or a small deductible.
Deportation Lawyer Finland
An entry ban is often issued together with a deportation order. If you have received both, see our Deportation Lawyer Finland page for information on appealing deportation orders and voluntary departure.
Learn about deportation appealsRelated pages
Sources
- Aliens Act (301/2004) – Finlex (English translation)
- Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) – English
- Migri – Permanent residence permit
- Migri – Application for a permanent residence permit
- Migri – Amendments to Aliens Act 2026 (permanent residence permits)
- Migri – Period of residence requirement
- Supreme Administrative Court (KHO) – decisions
- EU Return Directive (2008/115/EC) – EUR-Lex
Content reviewed by: Pezhman Ahmadi, OTM — Immigration Law
Updated: September 26, 2026
Received an entry ban?
The appeal deadline is strict and stated in the valitusosoitus — contact us immediately. We assess the decision, identify grounds for appeal or lifting, and draft the application.