Although Finland does not recognise Palestine as a state, its Ministry for Foreign Affairs still lists Palestinian travel documents as permissible. Photo: Roni Rekomaa / Lehtikuva
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Fayez Bassalat, a 25-year-old electrical engineer from Ramallah, faces deportation from Finland despite graduating from a Finnish university, securing full-time employment, and integrating into Finnish society, MTV News reported in an article published on Friday.
He moved to Finland in 2022 after beginning his studies in China, which were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Encouraged by a friend working at the Finnish Embassy, he applied to continue his education in Finland.
Upon arrival, he pursued engineering studies at a university of applied sciences and learned Finnish.
He now lives in Vantaa, works at Metropolia University as a project engineer and part-time teacher, and has built a professional network.
“I studied, found a job, pay taxes. I wanted a future here,” he said.
His residence permit, originally granted for study, was cancelled after he graduated. Though he applied for a work-based residence permit, the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) rejected it.
The reason: his Palestinian travel document no longer qualifies under revised immigration legislation.
In September 2024, Finland amended its Aliens Act. One key change requires applicants to possess a valid national travel document recognised by the Finnish government.
Previously accepted documents such as refugee travel documents and alien passports are no longer valid. The change has particularly affected stateless persons and Palestinians, whose documents do not meet the updated criteria.
Bassalat’s passport was issued by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. It was accepted for his study-based permit but is now deemed insufficient for a work permit.
Although Finland does not recognise Palestine as a state, its Ministry for Foreign Affairs still lists Palestinian travel documents as permissible.
Tommi Vallin, process owner at Migri’s International Protection division, said the legislative intent acknowledged the effect on stateless and Palestinian applicants.
“The preparatory documents explicitly stated the law would make it more difficult for certain groups to obtain residence permits,” Vallin told MTV News.
He said lawmakers chose to prioritise verifiable identity over flexibility.
“It was foreseeable that the changes would result in situations perceived as unreasonable and increase the workload for authorities,” he said.
Migri has refused multiple residence permit applications for failing to meet the new passport criteria. The agency has not disclosed how many of these applicants are Palestinians.
Bassalat now has 30 days to leave Finland voluntarily or face forced return to the Israeli-controlled West Bank.
Under Finnish law, deportations must not violate the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits sending individuals to countries where they face risk of execution, torture, persecution, or inhumane treatment.
The safety of return to Israel for Palestinians remains a subject of debate.
“I am Palestinian. I don’t have permission to go there. I will be imprisoned immediately. It’s like a death sentence,” Bassalat said.
He is seeking legal assistance to appeal the decision. His employer has committed to supporting him and submitted a letter to Migri advocating for the approval of his residence permit.
Despite the threat of deportation, Bassalat says his opinion of Finland has not changed.
“I still love Finnish culture, nature, and the people. Maybe some in the government don’t like Palestinians, but I won’t judge all of Finland for that.”
The law change has affected other stateless persons and individuals from regions without recognised governments.
Vallin confirmed that Migri enforces the law based on the new passport requirement, not on applicants’ nationality or personal background.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
