Negative Residence Permit Decision Finland
If Migri has issued a negative residence permit decision, you have the right to appeal to an administrative court. The applicable deadline and appeal procedure must always be verified from the appeal instructions provided with the decision. A negative decision can often be overturned if the appeal presents new grounds, corrects legal errors in Migri's reasoning, or shows that Migri failed to consider relevant evidence. A&Co. Legal drafts appeals and represents clients in administrative court proceedings.
A negative residence permit decision from Migri is not the end of the road. You have the right to appeal — the exact deadline and procedure are stated in the appeal instructions (valitusosoitus) included with the decision.
What is a negative residence permit decision?
A negative residence permit decision is a formal refusal by Migri to grant or extend a residence permit. The decision states the legal grounds for refusal and the applicant's right to appeal. Common grounds include failure to meet the permit-type requirements (e.g., insufficient income, lack of a genuine employment relationship, or an unviable business plan), integrity issues, or the existence of an entry ban. The decision also states whether the refusal is accompanied by a deportation order or an entry ban. It is important to read the decision carefully — the grounds for refusal determine what the appeal must address.
How long do you have to appeal a negative decision?
The applicable deadline and appeal procedure must always be verified from the appeal instructions provided with the decision. The deadline is strict — if you miss it, the decision becomes final and cannot be appealed. This is why it is critical to contact a lawyer immediately upon receiving a negative decision. A lawyer can confirm the exact deadline from the valitusosoitus and ensure the appeal is filed in time.
What are the most common grounds for appealing?
Successful appeals typically argue one or more of the following: that Migri misapplied the law or misinterpreted the facts; that Migri failed to consider relevant evidence or gave insufficient weight to it; that new evidence or changed circumstances warrant a different outcome; or that the decision violates EU law or the European Convention on Human Rights. In family-ties cases, a common ground is that Migri's income assessment was too strict or failed to consider future income potential. In work-based cases, a common ground is that the employer's situation or the employment relationship was incorrectly assessed. The appeal must be specific — generic complaints about fairness are not enough.
What happens after you file an appeal?
After you file an appeal, the administrative court requests the case file from Migri and asks Migri to provide a statement on the appeal. Migri may also request additional information from you. Once the court has received all the material, it may decide the case on the documents alone or schedule a main hearing. At the main hearing, both sides present their arguments and evidence, and the court may question witnesses. The court then issues a written decision, which either upholds Migri's decision, overturns it, or remands the case back to Migri for reconsideration. The process typically takes 6–18 months depending on the court's caseload.
Can you stay in Finland during the appeal?
In most cases, if you appeal a negative residence permit decision, you have the right to remain in Finland while the appeal is pending. This is because the deportation order that typically accompanies a negative decision is suspended during the appeal process. However, there are exceptions — for example, if the decision was made under an accelerated procedure or if the appeal is clearly unfounded. Your right to work may also be affected depending on the permit type and the stage of the process. A lawyer can confirm your right to stay and work during the appeal and, if necessary, apply to suspend enforcement of the deportation order.
How much does appealing a negative decision cost?
Many appeals 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 typically costs 1,000–3,000 EUR depending on complexity, and full representation in an administrative court main hearing adds 1,500–4,000 EUR. If the case proceeds to the Supreme Administrative Court (KHO), additional fees apply. 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.
Appeal Migri Decision
This page focuses on negative residence permit decisions. For a broader guide to appealing any Migri decision — including deportation, entry bans, and citizenship denials — visit our Appeal Migri Decision page.
Learn about the Migri appeal processRelated 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 a negative residence permit decision?
The appeal deadline is strict and stated in the valitusosoitus — contact us immediately. We assess the decision, identify grounds for appeal, and draft the appeal.