The Ministry of Home Affairs proposed amendments on the 'Aliens Act' and other related laws in order for the biometric residence permits for foreigners to be introduced in spring 2011.

On 1 July 2010, the Ministry decided on the content of the bill and the President of the Republic of Finland is expected to present it to the Parliament on 16 July 2010. The introduction of biometric residence card for foreigners is based on an EC Regulation (No 380/2008), which lays down the characteristics of the new biometric residence permits.

The residence card will contain a chip in which a facial image and two fingerprints of the cardholder will be stored. Biometric fingerprint data will be used to verify the authenticity of a residence permit and the cardholders' identity. The police can also use the fingerprint data if it is necessary to identify a victim in case of a natural disaster, major accident, a crime or any other emergency incident.

The purpose for the issuing of the biometric residence cards is to prevent and combat illegal immigration and illegal residence by creating a reliable link between the residence permit and its holders. Finland has been asking for the fingerprints of people applying for national passports, foreign passports and refugee travel documents since June 2009. For the residence permits the same procedures will be essentially followed as for the biometric passports.

Further information:

• Official Press Release - Ministry of Interior (in Finnish)
• Aliens Act - unofficial translation to English
• Council Regulation (EC) No 380/2008 of 18 April 2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 laying down a uniform format for residence permits for third-country nationals