Free advice for foreigners on Wednesdays

Do you know how to get a work permit in Finland?

Did you receive 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 in the Finnish Aliens law?

Do you find it difficult to fill out the Immigration Office’s forms?

The Free Movement Network gives advice to foreigners every Wednesday from 5 pm to 7 pm (17:00-19:00) at Kaarlenkatu 15, Kallio, Helsinki. The counseling hour may last longer if necessary. You can arrive directly to the counseling or you can contact us beforehand by email [email protected]. We can best advise you if you bring along the documents related to your case.

If you cannot make it on a Wednesday, please call us to reserve an appointment in 040 241 0662. If we are not able to answer immediately we will call you back.

Our aim is to give free, reliable and up-to-date information concerning the Finnish Aliens law and the practices of treating foreign citizens. We particularly advise foreign citizens on applying for residence permits in order to prevent becoming undocumented. If necessary, we can consult a lawyer or direct you to legal counseling.

Our counseling is given by migrant rights’ activists as voluntary work. We have no ties to the immigration administration or other authorities. Friends, relatives and supporters of foreign citizens are also welcome to ask about and discuss matters related to migration. We are not able to look for apartments or jobs, but we give advice on how to do this.

The main languages of communication are English and Finnish. If you inform us beforehand on interpretation needs, we try to arrange a reliable interpreter from our own group to the counseling appointment. We don’t use professional interpreters, but rather provide this service on a voluntary basis. You can also bring your own interpreter.

All discussions during the counseling hour are confidential. We do not share any information concerning discussions with outsiders unless it is specifically agreed.

Welcome to the Coffee without Borders!

The Free Movement Network and Helsinki Social Justice -association host an open, free-of-charge café every Wednesday from 6 pm to 8 pm (17:00-19:00) at Kaarlenkatu 15 (Kallio district).
The café is meant for all those who love freedom and hate borders. You are welcome regardless of what it says on your passport or whether you have one at all. We offer hanging out in nice company and program (talks, movies etc.) concerning migrants’ rights.

Children are most welcome!

The space is alcohol-free.

Check the opening dates and hours at www.vapaaliikkuvuus.net or at www.facebook.com/vapaaliikkuvuus.

Join Free Movement Network to improve migrants’ rights and change unjust migration policies!

The Free Movement network is a network of migrants’ rights activists. Since the early 2000s, the network has campaigned against deportations and for asylum seekers’ right to residency. In addition, the network has defended the rights of Roma migrants. In spring 2016, the network’s activities take place in Helsinki and Tampere.

We act in various ways: you can participate in organizing events or give practical help for undocumented migrants and asylum seekers. So all kinds of people and skills are most welcome! You can join us by sending email to [email protected] and by telling shortly who you are and why do you want to join us.

Give your support to our activities by donating to our association Oikeudet ilman rajoja ry or by becoming a member. Oikeudet ilman rajoja ry (Rights without Borders) is an independent association founded in 2010 to support the work of the Free Movement Network.

Our work to help precarious migrants such as asylum seekers, undocumented or Roma migrants is funded with membership fees and donations. Even a small donation counts. Please use the reference number.

* Recipient: Oikeudet ilman rajoja ry
* IBAN Aktia FI03 4055 0010 7993 16
* Reference number: 33019

You can find the instructions on how to become a support member of the association from the website of the network: www.vapaaliikkuvuus.net.