conducted, and the applicant will be interviewed to determine whether grounds exist for granting refugee status.578 Reception centers may issue resident cards to asylum seekers. However, neither of these cards is an identity document. For this reason, asylum seekers may have trouble opening bank accounts and undertaking other activities for which an ID card is required. At the beginning of the asylum process, applicants do not enjoy any legal status, but are entitled to work after three months in Finland if they have proper travel documents. If the applicant does not have travel documents, s/he will have to wait six months before working.579 Asylum seekers may live in a reception center or in private accommodations, as they wish.580 3. Refugee Status Determination Process: The Legal Framework Finland’s Aliens Act of 2004 defines a refugee as an alien who meets the requirements of Article 1 of the Refugee Convention.581 The Finnish Immigration Service is responsible for granting asylum and residence permits.582 Asylum seekers must appear in person when making their claims.583 Asylum seekers may employ counsel, both for filing an application and upon appeal; asylum seekers have a right to legal aid if they cannot afford counsel.584 If necessary, the Directorate of Immigration must ensure that an alien has access to a translator or interpreter.585 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. In order to lawfully enter Finland, an alien must: Possess a valid travel document; Possess a valid visa or residence permit; Possess documents that demonstrate the purpose and duration of their intended stay and evidence of their ability to return to their country of departure or a third country; Have no prior prohibition against entering Finland; and Must not be deemed a danger to the public order, security, health, or international relations of Finland.586 Finland adopts the language of Article 1A(2) of the Refugee Convention, and considers those asylum seekers for refugee status who: 578 Ibid., Section 97. Information provided by Leena-Kaisa Åberg. 580 BADIL, Closing Protection Gaps: A Handbook on Protection of Palestinian Refugees in States Signatories to the 1951 Refugee Convention. 581 State of Finland, “Aliens Act - Act No. 301/2004 of 2004 (Amendments up to 458/2009 Included),” Section 87(1). 582 Ibid., Section 116(1). 583 Ibid., Section 8. 584 Ibid. Sections 8 and 9. 585 Ibid., Section 10. 586 Ibid., Section 11. 579 120 Handbook on Protection of Palestinian Refugees