Immigration Lawyer in Finland
Finnish immigration law (the Aliens Act, 301/2004) governs how non-EU citizens can enter, reside, work, and settle in Finland. An immigration lawyer helps with residence permit applications, appeals against negative Migri decisions, deportation and entry ban cases, citizenship applications, and family reunification. A&Co. Legal provides full representation in Finnish, English, and Spanish.
A&Co. Legal represents clients before the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri), administrative courts, and the Supreme Administrative Court (KHO) in all immigration matters — from residence permits to citizenship and appeals.
What does an immigration lawyer in Finland do?
An immigration lawyer in Finland advises on and represents clients in all matters under the Aliens Act (301/2004). This includes drafting and reviewing residence permit applications, appealing negative decisions from the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) to administrative courts, handling deportation and entry ban cases, assisting with citizenship applications, and guiding family reunification processes. The lawyer also represents clients in main hearings before administrative courts and, in precedent-setting cases, before the Supreme Administrative Court (KHO). A&Co. Legal handles the full lifecycle — from the initial application to final appeal.
What is the Aliens Act and how does it affect your case?
The Aliens Act (ulkomaalaislaki, 301/2004) is the primary statute governing immigration to Finland. It defines the types of residence permits available (work, family, study, entrepreneur), the conditions for permanent residence, the grounds for deportation and entry bans, and the appeal process. EU citizens are covered by a separate regime based on the EU Residence Directive. The Aliens Act was amended in 2025 and again on 8 January 2026, with changes to permanent residence permit requirements, family reunification income thresholds, and work-based permit processing. Understanding which provisions apply to your case is essential — an application based on outdated rules can be delayed or rejected.
What types of residence permits are available in Finland?
Finland offers several types of residence permits for non-EU citizens: a continuous residence permit (A-permit) for work, family ties, study, or entrepreneurship; a permanent residence permit (P-permit) once the residence-period and other requirements are met; and an EU residence permit for EU citizens. Special permits include those for victims of human trafficking, persons with temporary protection, and persons with a serious illness. Each permit type has distinct requirements, processing times, and fees. Choosing the correct permit type and grounding the application properly is the single most important factor in avoiding delays and negative decisions.
What is the residence-period requirement for a permanent residence permit?
For applications submitted on or after 8 January 2026, the general residence-period requirement for a permanent residence permit is six years. Applicants must also meet the applicable language-skills and work-history requirements. Alternative application paths may allow a shorter residence period or no residence-period requirement when their specific statutory conditions are met. Applications submitted before 8 January 2026 are assessed under the earlier requirements. Always verify the current requirements from the Finnish Immigration Service guidance: https://migri.fi/en/permanent-residence-permit
How does the appeal process work against Migri decisions?
If Migri issues a negative decision, you can appeal to the relevant administrative court. The applicable deadline and appeal procedure must always be verified from the appeal instructions provided with the decision. The appeal must be in writing, state the grounds for appeal, and include any new evidence or legal arguments. The administrative court reviews the case and may hold a main hearing. If the administrative court's decision is unfavorable, you can apply for leave to appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court (KHO), which only grants leave for cases with significant legal precedent value. Throughout the appeal process, you may in many cases remain in Finland while the appeal is pending. A&Co. Legal drafts appeals, represents clients in hearings, and manages the full appeal chain.
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, a lawyer can assess how KHO:2026:66 applies to your situation. See our dedicated Entry Ban Finland page for a detailed analysis.
KHO August 2026 – permanent residence permit income requirement for entrepreneurs
In August 2026, the Supreme Administrative Court ruled on how the income requirement (toimeentuloedellytys) for a permanent residence permit should be assessed when the applicant is an entrepreneur. The ruling clarified that variable or uncertain entrepreneurial income cannot automatically be grounds for rejecting the income requirement — the assessment must take into account the actual and projected profitability of the business. This is significant for entrepreneurs applying for a P-permit: if Migri rejected your application based on variable income, the KHO ruling may open grounds for an appeal. A lawyer can assess how the ruling affects your application or appeal. See our Permanent Residence Permit Finland page for details.
How much does an immigration lawyer cost in Finland?
Many immigration matters qualify for public legal aid (oikeusapu), which means that applicants meeting the income thresholds pay only a reduced deductible or nothing at all. For private clients who do not qualify for legal aid and for businesses, private fees apply. A&Co. Legal's hourly rate is 250 EUR/h. A simple application review or consultation may cost a few hundred euros, drafting an appeal against a negative decision typically costs 1,000–3,000 EUR depending on complexity, and full representation in administrative court proceedings costs more. We always provide a written cost estimate before starting any work.
Immigration Law Services
Immigration Lawyer Helsinki
Local immigration law services in the Helsinki Capital Region.
Residence Permit Lawyer Finland
Application drafting, permit-type selection, and Migri representation.
Negative Residence Permit Decision
Appeals against Migri refusals in administrative court.
Appeal Migri Decision
How to appeal any Migri decision — deadlines, grounds, process.
Permanent Residence Permit Finland
P-permit requirements, 8.1.2026 changes, income assessment.
Family Ties Residence Permit
Family reunification — spouse, children, income requirements.
Deportation Lawyer Finland
Appeals against deportation orders and voluntary departure.
Entry Ban Finland
Entry ban appeals, lifting, and KHO:2026:66 analysis.
Finnish Citizenship Lawyer
Citizenship by application and declaration, dual citizenship.
Work-Based Residence Permit
Work permit applications, employer role, 2025 rule changes.
Employer Immigration Services
Legal services for Finnish companies hiring foreign workers — permits, compliance, fast-track, EU Blue Card.
Related 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
Need help with an immigration matter?
Book a consultation with an immigration lawyer or submit a request online. We help with applications, appeals, and court representation — in Finnish, English, and Spanish.