FINLAND 568 1. Statistical Data Statistical data on the number of Palestinian refugees residing in Finland is not available. A total of 9,919 refugees, 1,881 asylum seekers, and 2,017 stateless persons resided in Finland as of January 2013, according to UNHCR estimates.569 The Finnish Immigration Service provides statistics on asylum seekers and refugees, but does not have a category for Palestinians. Numbers of Palestinians seeking asylum in Finland are likely relatively low, based on the data available regarding applications by stateless persons (although not all these stateless persons were necessarily Palestinian). In 2014 (through October), there were 35 asylum applications by stateless persons;570 26 in 2013;571 27 in 2012;572 34 in 2011;573 and 52 in 2010.574 In 2014 (through October), there were a total of 44 decisions on asylum applications by stateless persons. Of these, 26 were granted refugee status, 1 was granted subsidiary protection, and 3 ‘other’ protection. Of the total, 5 applications were rejected, 6 were transferred under the Dublin Regulation, and 3 cases were annulled.575 2. Refugee Status Determination: The Process As in the case of other asylum seekers, Palestinians in Finland may submit an application for asylum to the Directorate of Immigration or the local police.576 The Directorate of Immigration will issue asylum seekers a card noting application status, as well as the applicant’s name, date of birth, citizenship, and attach a photograph. The card is valid until the authorities issue a final decision on the alien’s status, at which time the alien must return the card.577 An asylum investigation will be 568 Leena-Kaisa Åberg, special adviser to the Secretary General of the Finnish Red Cross, reviewed and contributed to this section 569 UNHCR, “2014 UNHCR Regional Operations Profile - Northern, Western, Central and Southern Europe - Finland,” accessed November 19, 2014, http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e48e4f6.html. 570 Finnish Immigration Service, “Asylum Applicants - From 01/01 to 31/10/2014,” November 2014, http://www.migri.fi/download/50513_EN_tp-hakijat_tammi_2014.pdf?ed8622b31fced188. 571 Finnish Immigration Service, “Asylum Applicants - From 01/01/2013 to 31/12/2013,” January 2014, http://www.migri.fi/download/45922_Asylum_applicants.pdf?d5772bb31fced188. 572 Finnish Immigration Service, “Asylum Applicants - From 01/01/2012 to 31/12/2012,” January 2013, http://www.migri.fi/download/39431_EN_tp_hakijat_joulu_2012.pdf?974234b31fced188. 573 Finnish Immigration Service, “Asylum Applicants - From 01/01/2011 to 31/12/2011,” February 2012, http://www.migri.fi/download/31497_EN_tp-hakijat_vuosi_2011.pdf?7f333db31fced188. 574 Finnish Immigration Service, “Asylum Applicants - From 01/01/2010 to 31/12/2010,” February 2011, http://www.migri.fi/download/31497_EN_tp-hakijat_vuosi_2011.pdf?7f333db31fced188. 575 Finnish Immigration Service, “Decision on Asylum - From 01/01 to 31/10/2014,” November 2014, http://www.migri.fi/download/50515_EN_tp-paatokset_tammi_2014.pdf?49aeeeb31fced188. 576 Information provided by Leena-Kaisa Åberg. 577 State of Finland, “Aliens Act - Act No. 301/2004 of 2004 (Amendments up to 458/2009 Included),” April 30, 2004, http://www.refworld.org/docid/4b4d93ad2.html, Section 96. Survey of Protection at the National Level 119