Lähtövaltion

Lähtövaltion is the genitive form of lähtövaltio, a Finnish term referring to the country of origin or the state of departure of a person or object in a given context. The term is commonly used in migration, asylum procedures, and international law to designate the country from which someone originates. It is not synonymous with citizenship; a person may originate from a country without holding its citizenship, and individuals may have ties to more than one state.

In practice, authorities may speak of lähtövaltion tiedot (information from the country of origin) or lähtövaltion viranomaiset (the authorities of the country of origin). In asylum procedures, country-of-origin information (COI) helps decision-makers assess conditions, risks, and the credibility of claims related to the homeland. The concept also features in procedures that determine applicable laws or the appropriate state involved in a case.

The precise meaning of lähtövaltion can vary with legal context. It may refer to nationality, habitual residence, or cultural origin, and different procedures interpret it differently. The term is especially important in processes that distinguish dangers in the homeland from safety elsewhere, and in determining which state’s authorities or legal framework apply.

Etymology and usage notes: lähtö- means departure or origin, valtio means state; the genitive form lähtövaltion appears in phrases such as lähtövaltion viranomaiset or lähtövaltion tiedot.