Residence Permit Withdrawal

Residence Permit Withdrawal in Finland: Plea Requests and Legal Help

A residence permit does not necessarily remain valid simply because the expiry date printed on the permit card has not passed. The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) can examine whether the legal grounds and requirements for an existing residence permit continue to be met.

Before making a withdrawal decision, the Finnish Immigration Service generally gives the permit holder an opportunity to state their opinion. In actual cases, this may arrive as a document titled Plea request. The authority may ask for explanations, supporting documents and information about whether you have another basis for residing in Finland.

Legally.fi assists with both stages of the matter: responding before a withdrawal decision is made and challenging a withdrawal decision after it has been issued.

Review of the Plea request and the reason withdrawal is being considered
Preparation of a clear written response addressing the authority's questions
Identification and organisation of supporting evidence
Assessment of other possible residence permit grounds
Appeals against residence permit withdrawal decisions
Assessment of related deportation and enforcement issues

Legal Assistance When Your Residence Permit Is Under Review

The important issue in a withdrawal case is not simply that your circumstances have changed. The question is whether those changes affect a requirement of the residence permit you hold and whether there is a legal basis to withdraw that permit.

A case may arise after changes in employment, studies, family circumstances, business activity, financial resources or residence outside Finland. It may also concern information provided when the permit was granted. The relevant legal test and evidence depend on the type of residence permit and the specific concern raised by the Finnish Immigration Service.

If You Have Received a Plea Request

A Plea request is an opportunity to respond before the Finnish Immigration Service decides whether your residence permit should be withdrawn. It should not be treated as a routine request for additional documents. The authority has already identified a possible problem with the continued validity of the permit.

We start with the actual document. We identify the reason withdrawal is being considered, the facts the Finnish Immigration Service appears to rely on, the questions that must be answered and the evidence needed to support your position.

We assess the legal basis on which withdrawal is being considered.
We examine whether the information relied on by the Finnish Immigration Service accurately reflects your current circumstances.
We identify the documents needed to address the specific concern raised in the Plea request.
We prepare a structured written response that answers the authority's questions directly and explains the relevant facts in context.
Where your circumstances have changed, we assess whether another residence permit ground may be available and whether a separate application should be submitted.

Simply stating that you want to remain in Finland is not enough. The response needs to address the residence permit requirements that are actually in dispute and support the important facts with appropriate evidence.

If Your Residence Permit Has Already Been Withdrawn

If the Finnish Immigration Service has already issued a withdrawal decision, the case moves into a different stage. The residence permit ceases to be valid when the withdrawal decision is made. The decision should therefore be reviewed together with the appeal instructions and any separate or related decision concerning deportation.

We assess whether the withdrawal decision can be challenged, whether relevant evidence or circumstances were overlooked, and whether the authority applied the correct legal basis. Where an appeal is justified, we prepare the case for the Administrative Court.

A deportation decision requires separate attention. Under the rules in force since 12 June 2026, appealing a deportation decision does not automatically prevent its enforcement. Where necessary, the Administrative Court can be asked to prohibit enforcement while the case is being considered.

Request Legal Support

Tell us what the Finnish Immigration Service sent you, why your residence permit is being reviewed and the deadline stated in the document.

Already have the Plea request or decision? Contact us through WhatsApp and ask how to send the document for review.

Phone/WhatsApp: +358 44 979 3978

Office hours: Mon to Fri 09:00 to 17:00

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Plea request mean that my residence permit has already been withdrawn?

No. A Plea request is part of the process before a possible withdrawal decision. It gives you an opportunity to provide your opinion, explanation and supporting evidence before the Finnish Immigration Service decides the matter.

Why is my residence permit being reviewed?

The reason depends on the permit and your circumstances. Cases can involve employment, studies, family ties, business activity, financial resources, residence outside Finland, information provided in an earlier application or another requirement connected with the permit.

What should I include in my response?

The response should address the specific concerns and questions raised by the Finnish Immigration Service. Relevant supporting documents depend on the case and may include employment records, study information, financial documents, family evidence, business records or other material directly connected with the withdrawal issue.

What happens if I do not respond?

The Finnish Immigration Service can decide the matter on the basis of the information already available even if you do not submit a response within the deadline.

Can I ask for more time to respond?

An extension can be requested where there is a sufficient reason and additional time is necessary to prepare the response or obtain relevant evidence. The request should normally be made before the existing deadline.

Can another residence permit ground be considered?

Potentially yes. If your original circumstances have changed, another residence ground may be relevant. However, explaining another possible ground in a Plea request response is not the same as submitting the residence permit application required for that ground.

Can I stay and work while the Finnish Immigration Service is considering withdrawal?

Receiving a Plea request does not itself withdraw a valid residence permit. The permit remains subject to its existing validity period and conditions while the withdrawal matter is being considered. If a withdrawal or deportation decision has already been issued, the legal position must be assessed from those decisions.

Can I appeal a withdrawal decision?

A residence permit withdrawal decision can generally be appealed to the Administrative Court. The decision includes the applicable appeal instructions and deadline.

Does an appeal automatically prevent deportation?

No. Under the rules in force since 12 June 2026, an appeal against a deportation decision does not automatically prevent enforcement. Depending on the case, a request for prohibition of enforcement may need to be submitted to the Administrative Court.

Legal Assistance When Your Residence Permit Is Under Review

If You Have Received a Plea Request

If Your Residence Permit Has Already Been Withdrawn

More Information About Specific Withdrawal Situations

Request Legal Support