Free Advice for Migrants and Foreign Citizens
The Free Movement (Vapaa Liikkuvuus -verkosto) offers counseling to migrants and their supporters. In counseling, we discuss, for example, the asylum process and the threat of deportation as well as the process of applying for a residence permit based on work, studies or family ties. Counselling is offered by activists who are familiar with the migration administrative process.
If you want to discuss your situation in detail, you should bring along all the documents related to your case. Discussions during counselling are confidential – no information is shared with third parties. Counselling sessions take place mainly in English and Finnish. For counselling in your own or other languages, please bring an interpreter with you or tell us beforehand that you need one.
Helsinki
Counselling of Free Movement is available at Pengerkatu 6 (in Lymy-space) every Wednesday from 5 pm until 8 pm. You can reserve a time slot via email (vapaaliikkuvuus(at)gmail.com), Instagram or Facebook, or you can just come by.
Why do we offer counseling?
Do you know how to get a work permit in Finland? Have you received a negative asylum decision and are afraid of deportation? Are you unsure about how to apply for a student permit extension? Do you want to know how family ties are defined by law in The Finnish Aliens Act? Do you find it difficult to fill out the Immigration Office’s forms?
The legislation, permit procedures and bureaucracy connected with immigration may sometimes feel too complicated. Immigration officials’ decisions may also cause anxiety and confusion.
It is easier to solve problems together with others! The best form of anti-racism is to build common networks, struggles and action with immigrants. Racism must be opposed in all its forms, also when it is hidden in the Aliens Act.
Who are we?
We are a network of migration activists that have been active since 2006.
We have organised resistance against deportations, campaigned for asylum seekers’ right to stay, and defended Roma migrants’ right to accommodation in Helsinki.
We also provide and share information on migration controls and their consequences, as well as struggles against controls in Finland and around the world.
What kind of counselling do we give?
We provide counselling on questions related to residence permits and the Aliens Act. When necessary, we can consult a lawyer or direct you to legal counselling. Friends, relatives and supporters of migrants are also welcome to ask about or discuss matters related to migration.
Counselling is provided as voluntary work and is free of charge. We are a fully independent organisation and we have no ties to immigration authorities.
All discussions are confidential. We do not share any information concerning discussions with outsiders unless it is explicitly agreed with those who receive counselling.
The primary languages of communication are English and Finnish. You can also bring along an interpreter or ask us to provide one (we mainly use volunteer translators).
Welcome!
