Finnish Immigration Service: Finland will not provide assistance for voluntary return if abuse of the assistance system is attempted
The number of Albanian asylum seekers in Finland has increased considerably during this summer. All Albanians who have sought asylum this year have received a negative asylum decision.
The Finnish Immigration Service considers the general security situation in Albania to be stable. Applications from Albanians have mainly been decided in an accelerated procedure as manifestly unfounded applications.
Many of the applicants have also applied for assisted voluntary return. Finland does not automatically provide assistance to every applicant. If there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the applicant intends to abuse the system of assisted voluntary return, no assistance will be given.
A prohibition of entry into the Schengen area can be ordered in conjunction with a negative decision
Everyone who has a well-founded fear of being persecuted in his or her home country can seek asylum in Finland.
If the asylum application is rejected and considered to be manifestly unfounded, the asylum seeker may be prohibited from entering the entire Schengen area. All Albanians who have recently received a negative asylum decision in an accelerated procedure have also received a prohibition of entry.
Assistance for voluntary return can be received only once
An asylum seeker can apply for support or assistance for voluntary return if:
- the asylum seeker has received a negative asylum decision
- the asylum seeker has withdrawn his or her asylum application or
- the asylum seeker has a temporary residence permit in Finland because he or she cannot be removed from the country.
Assistance can be given only to persons who need support for reintegration. An asylum seeker may receive a lower amount of assistance or be denied assistance if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that he or she intends to abuse the assistance system or if the returnee is not considered to be in need of full assistance.
The reception centre where the returnee has been registered as a customer will make the decision on assisted voluntary return.
More information on requirements for granting asylum and on assisted voluntary return can be found on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window).