NEW
NATIONALITY ACT COMES INTO FORCE ON 1 JUNE 2003. The Government today, on 15
May, decided to propose that the President of the Republic approve the new
Nationality Bill. The aim is that the Nationality Act will come into force on 1
June 2003. The English translation of the Act will be available in June. The most important change
will be that dual (multiple) citizenship will become acceptable. Finnish
citizens will no longer lose their Finnish citizenship when they assume another
citizenship. Similarly, foreign citizens who are granted Finnish citizenship
will not need to give up their present citizenship. Dual
citizenship can only be acquired in accordance with the laws of the other state
in question The laws in the other state in question must permit dual (multiple) citizenship before the acquisition of a second (additional) citizenship. Finnish citizens may retain their Finnish citizenship if the state whose citizenship they have assumed permits that. In the same way, foreign
citizens who are granted Finnish citizenship may retain their present
citizenship if that state allows it. In order not to lose citizenship
unintentionally, when applying for a new citizenship a person should find out in
advance if the state concerned permits dual citizenship. Applying
for Finnish citizenship Applications
for Finnish citizenship must be made by using a form for that purpose.
Furthermore, applications must be submitted in person to the District Police
within whose area of jurisdiction the applicant’s home municipality is
located. Regaining
Finnish citizenship Declarations made abroad must
be submitted to a Finnish diplomatic mission, consulate or honorary consulate.
Declarations can also be sent by post. Such a procedure is primarily meant for
Finnish citizens living abroad who cannot pay a personal visit to a diplomatic
mission, consulate or honorary consulate owing to long distances or whose
country of residence does not have such an office. Making
a declaration Application and declaration
forms and further information on the relevant procedures are available on the
website of the Directorate of Immigration at www.uvi.fi.
At present, it is impossible to give an estimate of the time needed to process
applications and declarations. Declarations made by former
Finnish citizens can be processed faster if data on the person concerned is
registered in the Finnish Population Information System. Those interested may
check the information held on them by contacting the Registry Office of their
current/most recent home municipality in Finland. The Helsinki Registry Office
can provide information to those unsure about their home municipality. Contact information for
Registry Offices is available at www.maistraatti.fi. For more information, please contact Director-General
Mr Pentti Visanen, tel. +358 9
160 4 2700. / Home / Events / Maps /All Copyrights Reserved |
