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Finnish authorities provided additional information on the current backlog of applications for immigration on the basis of family ties as well as the reason for the processing delay.
Key Points:
Additional Information: Nearly 50,000 applications were submitted on the basis of family ties in 2024, with 65% of the applications resolved in less than three months. For the remaining applications, authorities stated that they are prioritizing those of applicants whose statutory processing time has already expired.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.
Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
Finnish authorities proposed new tightened conditions for obtaining a permanent residence permit.
Additional Information: In the announcement officials outlined several changes, including extending the continuous period of residence required for a permanent residence permit from four to six years, altering the requirement concerning a work history of a certain length to include a requirement that an applicant must have accumulated their work history without recourse to unemployment security or social assistance other than for a maximum of three months, and adding a language skills requirement (in Finnish or Swedish) to obtain a long-term resident’s EU residence permit.
Officials stated that the proposed changes will still allow certain applicants to obtain a permanent residence permit based on a four-year period of residence if they meet additional requirements. Certain applicants can obtain a permanent residence permit without meeting the period of residence requirement if they have certain educational backgrounds and language skills. BAL will continue to monitor developments and will provide more information once it becomes available.
Finnish authorities have implemented automated post-decision monitoring of residence permits for employed persons.
Additional Information: More information on the requirements for a residence permit for an employed person can be found here. The residence permit application for an employed person (TTOL) is a residence permit that is granted for an employed person specifically tied to a professional field. Individuals must have confirmed employment before applying, and the current processing time for first-time applications is estimated at one month.
The Finnish Immigration Service has conducted post-decision monitoring since 2017, and automated post-decision monitoring is already being used to monitor the permits of students, startup entrepreneurs and specialist residence permits.
Finnish authorities announced the Finnish Immigration Service is now fully responsible for processing residence permits for employed persons.
Additional Information: Previously, matters concerning residence permits for employed persons were the responsibility of the TE Office, performed in two stages: The TE Offices first issued a partial decision before forwarding the application to the Finnish Immigration Service for further processing. Work permit services will now be transferred to the Finnish Immigration Service, and they will inspect and assess all the requirements for work-based residence permits at one time as part of reforming of the application processing structure.
The change is part of the overall reform of TE Services, which involves transferring employment and economic development services from the central government to the municipalities’ employment areas. The aim is to improve the customer experience and ensure smoother processing by centralizing residence permit matters for employees to the Finnish Immigration Service. Authorities stated that the processing of applications may temporarily slow down early in 2025.
Finnish authorities announced that decision-making on certain residence permit applications will be paused Jan. 1-8, 2025.
Additional Information: Effective Jan. 1, work permit services will be transferred from TE Offices (Employment and Economic Development) to the Finnish Immigration Service. The Finnish Immigration Service will inspect and assess all the requirements for work-based residence permits at once as part of a reforming of the application processing structure. Currently, applications for certain residence permits are processed in two stages: the TE Office first issues a partial decision before forwarding the application to the Finnish Immigration Service for further processing. The pause in decision-making on certain work-based permits in January will allow the government to make the necessary changes to automation and data systems.
BAL Analysis: The government hopes to reform employment and economic development services in Finland, and the reorganization of responsibilities is designed to support that effort and enhance the customer experience, ensuring a more seamless process.
Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.
Finnish authorities announced updated requirements for issuing residence permits through amendments to the Aliens Act.
Additional Information: Some applicants may still apply for a first residence permit in-country, such as family members of Finnish citizens, children born in Finland and family members of a student or researcher who are applying for a residence permit for study or research. Officials stated that each application will be examined individually.
BAL Analysis: All residence permit applications submitted before Sept. 1 that have not yet received a decision will have the new requirements applied. The government hopes to prevent evasion of provisions on entry into the country more effectively and enhance the reliability of identity verification to prevent situations of abuse.
Finnish authorities announced increased salary threshold requirements for certain applications, effective Nov. 1.
Additional Information: Regional differences are factored into decision-making regarding the income threshold required. The new income thresholds will be updated every year in the form of index increases. The income thresholds for permits for students, au pairs and working holiday will also increase Nov. 1.
BAL Analysis: Finnish authorities have increased the salary threshold requirements to ensure applicants have sufficient financial resources or secure means of support to live and work in Finland. Employers should be aware of and consider the increased thresholds in their business planning for calendar year 2025.
Finnish authorities have approved the first set of amendments to the Citizenship Act, which will enter into force on Oct. 1.
Additional Information: Only periods of residence with a residence permit are considered when it comes to determining an applicant’s period of residence. An applicant may reside outside the country for one total year as part of the required period of residence, as long as it is not more than three months during the year preceding naturalization.
BAL Analysis: There are currently backlogs in the processing of citizenship applications and limited appointment availability at service points. Applicants should make sure they meet all requirements for acquiring Finnish citizenship and be aware of their application-specific period of residence required for approval.
Finnish authorities have introduced an automated post-decision monitoring system for specialist residence permits.
Additional Information: A specialist residence permit is granted to foreign nationals who work in expert duties that require specialized expertise in Finland. The requirements to qualify can be found here. A first residence permit for a specialist is granted for a maximum of two years. The permit is valid for the duration of the employment relationship even if the employment lasts for less than two years.
BAL Analysis: The Finnish Immigration Service has conducted post-decision monitoring since 2017, and automated post-decision monitoring is already being used to monitor the permits of students and startup entrepreneurs. The government hopes to expand the scope of this system to cover work-based residence permits to combat labor exploitation.
The Finnish government updated EU Blue Card regulations, including new salary requirements.
Additional Information: Eligible highly skilled workers must also have confirmed employment for at least six months before applying for the permit. An EU Blue Card can be issued for a maximum of two years, and applicants in Finland can apply via a fast-track service and receive a permit in two weeks. Applicants can apply for a D visa concurrently with a residence permit, which allows an individual to travel to Finland immediately once the residence permit and D visa sticker have been attached to their passport. More information about obtaining an EU residence permit for highly qualified employment can be found here.
BAL Analysis: The government is implementing the requirements of Directive (EU) 2021/1883 to restructure and widen the migration possibilities with an EU Blue Card. The new immigration initiatives are designed to make it easier for skilled workers to live and work in Finland and will take immediate effect.