Published: 3/10/25 | 23:44
The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has announced that it will now recognize Palestinian travel documents in residence permit applications provided they are issued by the Palestinian Authority.
According to Migri only documents released by the Palestinian Authority will be accepted while passports distributed by Hamas in Gaza will continue to be rejected as valid national travel documents.
Previously, following amendments to the Aliens Act Migri did not accept Palestinian passports as proof of identity because Finland does not officially recognize the State of Palestine. However, the agency stated in early September that it would reassess this policy.
Under the updated Aliens Act applicants for residence permits must verify their identity using a passport issued by their country of citizenship. Due to Migri’s earlier interpretation many Palestinian residents in Finland such as researchers had been unable to renew their residence permits.
