Finland has started to reopen border traffic and immigration procedures as it loosens Covid-19 restrictions.
Some COVID-19 restrictions are still in force, but the Finnish Government has gradually started opening border traffic and restarted immigration processes with the following recent changes.
- Border traffic between Finland and other countries is restricted, but some restrictions have been removed. As of 14 May 2020, cross-border commuting for employment and commissions and other essential traffic is permitted across the Schengen internal borders. Individuals arriving from abroad to work must prove their work-related ground upon entering Finland. External border traffic restrictions remain in force at least until 14 June 2020.
- Recreational travel abroad is not recommended for the time being.
- Travellers returning to Finland from abroad should stay at home in quarantine-like conditions for 14 days. This applies currently to anyone entering the country.
- Employees working in certain essential fields can work without applying for an extended permit if they have a valid residence permit. This temporary amendment is in force at least until 31 October 2020.
- The Finnish Immigration Service Migri has started granting residence permits as of 14 May 2020. However, Finnish missions abroad still remain closed until further notice and are not seeing new applicants for interviews.
- The restrictions on travelling inside Finland (to and from Uusimaa region) are no longer in force since 15 April 2020.
Further information is available here:
- https://migri.fi/en/coronavirus
- https://finlandabroad.fi/frontpage
- https://um.fi/frontpage
- https://www.raja.fi/current_issues/guidelines_for_border_traffic
- https://www.poliisi.fi/coronavirus_info/restrictions_on_movement
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.