When an Additional Information Request Becomes an Opportunity

Our client visited our office immediately after receiving an additional information request from the Finnish Immigration Service. This is often the most important moment in any residence permit case. Many people underestimate what an additional information request actually means. It is not simply a request for documents. It is an opportunity to place the missing facts into the file and to make sure the decision-maker sees the full picture before a final decision is made.

In this case, the Finnish Immigration Service requested detailed clarification regarding the client’s family life, place of residence, and the stability of the relationship. The request also included detailed questions about the relationship, future plans, and intention to live together as a family in Finland.

What made the situation more serious was the fact that the request explicitly raised the possibility of deportation and an entry ban. The Finnish Immigration Service required a written statement from the client explaining their position on removal from Finland and the impact such a decision would have, especially considering that the client had a minor child. When an authority starts asking for statements about deportation, the applicant is no longer dealing with a routine procedure. The case has entered a stage where the risk of refusal is real and immediate.

We prepared a full response, ensured that all requested documents were included, and drafted the necessary written statements in a way that gave the authority no reason to speculate. Instead of allowing the case to be decided on incomplete assumptions, we made sure the file contained a coherent and well-supported explanation of the client’s situation, their established family ties, and their genuine life in Finland.

The outcome was positive. On 12 February 2026, the Finnish Immigration Service granted our client a continuous residence permit on the basis of family ties as the spouse of a Finnish citizen. The permit was granted as an A permit, valid from 18 April 2024 until 18 April 2028, with unrestricted right to work as a family member.

This decision is a clear example of why additional information requests must be taken seriously. They are often the last chance to correct the direction of a case before a refusal is issued. When handled properly, they can prevent unnecessary negative decisions, avoid deportation procedures, and secure stability for the applicant and their family.