Your Permit Was Not Cancelled

Many people wait until a negative decision arrives before seeking legal help. By then, the process is heavier, slower, and far more stressful than it needs to be. In most cases, the best moment to request assistance is the first time the Finnish Immigration Service contacts you. That first message is not a formality. It is the stage where the case can still be clarified, corrected, and guided toward a fair outcome before assumptions become conclusions and the matter escalates into deportation proceedings or an appeal to the Administrative Court.

Our client came to us after the Finnish Immigration Service informed them that it was considering cancelling the continuous residence permit granted on the basis of studies. The review was triggered after records showed that the client had registered as absent for the academic year 2024 to 2025 and had not completed the first mandatory study module on time. The educational institution had advised deferring studies for one year and even suggested that the client return to the country of origin until the next intake. This placed our client’s right to stay in Finland at serious risk.

We responded immediately with a thorough explanation and supporting documentation. The response showed that the delay in studies was not caused by abandonment or lack of intent. The client arrived late in Finland due to residence permit processing timelines, which made it difficult to participate in the initial mandatory orientation and meet deadlines. The situation was further aggravated by technical issues involving student portal access and email, which prevented the timely submission of required tasks despite the client’s efforts to resolve the problem. The absence registration that later triggered Migri’s cancellation process was therefore the consequence of circumstances beyond the client’s control, not an indication that the client was misusing their permit.

Migri accepted the explanation and issued a positive decision. The authority confirmed that the residence permit will not be cancelled and acknowledged that the client has resumed studies, registered as present for the academic year 2025 to 2026, paid tuition fees, and already completed credits during the semester. Migri concluded that the grounds for the permit continue to exist and that the legal threshold for cancellation was not met.

When the authority first raises concerns, a strong and well-documented response can resolve the issue before it becomes a long and exhausting legal fight.