Responding to Migri Supplementary Requests | Legally.fi

Additional Information Request

Responding to Migri Supplementary Requests

When the Finnish Immigration Service or the ELY Centre asks you to submit additional information or clarifications, your application is under substantive legal review.

At this stage, the authorities are no longer checking whether documents exist. They are checking whether your situation can be assessed as credible, lawful, and consistent.

At Legally.fi, we treat every supplementary request as a mini case of its own. We check the wording carefully, identify what is really worrying Migri, collect the right evidence and write a clear, structured explanation that matches your whole file.

Line by line analysis of Migri’s questions and concerns
Correction of gaps and contradictions in earlier documents
Tailored evidence lists for work, study, family and business permits
Drafting and submitting the full response in clear, legal English
Planning next steps if the risk of a negative decision is still high

Get Help With Your Request Book a Consultation

What Migri is actually checking before refusing a permit

When the Finnish Immigration Service or the ELY Centre asks you to submit additional information or clarifications, your application is under substantive legal review.

At this stage, the authorities are no longer checking whether documents exist — they are checking whether your situation can be assessed as credible, lawful, and consistent.

Based on official Migri and ELY decisions, supplementary requests are typically issued when authorities identify problems such as the following:

Typical risk patterns in different permit types

For work-based permits

Your actual work or stay in Finland does not match the purpose of your permit
Employment details do not align across employer forms, income registers, and your own statements
Authorities suspect false or misleading information about your employment or intentions

Example basis: work permit refusal and enforcement decisions where the stated purpose of stay and the documented activity did not align.

For study permits and post-study situations

Studies have not progressed sufficiently or tuition fees were unpaid
You were absent, passive, or working full-time while holding a study-based permit
Authorities conclude that your real purpose of stay has changed from studies to work

Example basis: study permit cancellation decisions referencing insufficient progress, unpaid fees, or a shift in the real purpose of stay.

For entrepreneurs and self-employed applicants

Business activity cannot be reliably assessed due to unclear or contradictory financial information
Accounting, VAT declarations, invoices, and bank statements do not match
Required contracts or subcontracting agreements were not provided
Authorities doubt whether the business credibly secures your livelihood
You have not adequately clarified inconsistencies when asked

Example basis: ELY partial decisions and Migri decisions citing unreliable financial assessment, missing contracts, and unresolved inconsistencies.

A critical legal risk

In multiple decisions, refusals and cancellations are based on the conclusion that the applicant has provided essentially incorrect, misleading, or incomplete information, or failed to disclose facts essential to the decision.

Once authorities reach this conclusion, the result is often refusal, cancellation, or removal — not another request.

Why this stage matters

A supplementary request is often the last opportunity to clarify doubts before a negative decision is issued.

How you respond — what you explain, what you submit, and what you leave out — directly affects whether your case can still be resolved positively.

How we approach your request

We do not simply answer the questions one by one. We step back and look at what story your whole file is telling to Migri. Then we rebuild that story so that every attachment, number and explanation supports the same, clear picture.

We map all risks in the file We correct earlier mistakes where possible We structure evidence in a logical order We keep the language simple and factual

In many cases, the supplementary stage is the best moment to fix a weak application without starting again from zero. We tell you honestly whether the case can be repaired and what is realistic to expect from Migri after the answer is submitted.

What you get from us

1) Risk diagnosis

We identify what the authority is actually concerned about and which parts of your file create risk: missing evidence, contradictions, credibility issues, or a possible mismatch between the permit basis and your real situation.

2) Evidence plan

We give you a targeted evidence list (not a random checklist). We prioritize documents that directly address Migri’s concerns and avoid attachments that create new questions.

3) Clear drafting

We draft a structured reply in clear English, aligned with the rest of your file. Where needed, we help you correct earlier submissions and explain inconsistencies calmly and professionally.

4) Next-step planning

If the risk remains high, we tell you early and propose realistic options: additional clarification, change of permit basis, or preparation for review/appeal if a negative decision follows.

Request a Review of Your Migri Letter

Attach or copy the text of your supplementary request and tell us when the deadline is. We will quickly assess what is required and how urgent the situation is.

Phone/WhatsApp: +358 44 979 3978

Office hours: Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00 (EET)

By contacting us, your case is handled confidentially from the first message.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a supplementary request a bad sign?

It means Migri has open questions or doubts. It is not a refusal, but if the answer is weak or incomplete, the next step is often a negative decision. A strong response can still turn the case in a positive direction.

How fast do I need to answer?

The request always includes a deadline. It is usually a few weeks. If you cannot collect the documents in time, you can ask for more time with a clear explanation. We help you decide whether this is wise in your situation.

Can I add new documents that were not in the original application?

Yes. If the new documents clarify the situation or prove that circumstances have developed in a normal way, they can be very helpful. We select which documents actually support the case and which only add noise.

Should I answer in Finnish or English?

Migri accepts both. We usually answer in clear English with attached documents in Finnish or English when available. If needed, we add short translations of key parts of foreign documents.

What if my employer or school has given information that is not accurate?

This is common. We coordinate with the employer or institution, correct the information where possible and explain calmly to Migri why there was a difference. Blaming others rarely helps if it is not explained in a professional way.

Can I fix salary or hours problems at this stage?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. If the contract has already been improved in real life, we can show that the job now clearly meets the requirements. If the employer cannot correct the problems, we explain honestly what risks remain.

What if I already answered and I am worried it was not enough?

We can still review what was sent and prepare for the next step, such as a request for review or an appeal, if a negative decision comes. It is always better to contact us before the decision, but it is not too late afterwards.

Can one lawyer answer for the whole family?

Yes. In family cases we prepare coordinated answers for all linked applications so that every file tells the same story and uses the same evidence where relevant.

Do you only help in Helsinki?

No. Most of our supplementary request work is done remotely. You can send us your documents securely and we handle the case regardless of where you live now.

What happens if we do nothing?

If no answer is submitted, Migri usually makes a negative decision based on the information they already have. Ignoring a request almost always makes the situation worse. Even a short, well prepared answer is better than silence.