Finland immigration updates from January 2025
The immigration authorities in Finland have issued a series of updates this week which may impact some foreign nationals making applications from 1 January 2025.
New minimum income limit for the residence permit for an employed person
The minimum income limit for a residence permit for an employed person increased as of 1 January 2025 because of amendments to legislation.
A foreign employee who arrives in Finland with a residence permit for an employed person will have to earn at least 1600 euros per month for their work in Finland. The purpose of the amendments is to ensure that employees who move to Finland for work are paid a salary that is sufficient to cover their living costs.
Currently, a residence permit for an employed person can be issued if the applicant’s salary complies with the applicable collective agreement or meets the minimum income requirement of 1399 euros per month.
When the amendments have entered into force, international employees who are working in Finland with a residence permit for an employed person must still have a salary that complies with the applicable collective agreement, but 1600 euros will be the minimum salary level that is required.
The employer may pay up to 50% of the salary as fringe benefits, such as by offering a company car or an accommodation benefit.
Under the Aliens Act, a person who applies for a residence permit is considered to have sufficient financial resources if he or she cannot be expected to become dependent on social assistance.
The new minimum income limit concerns all applications for a first-time residence permit for an employed person as of 1 January 2025 and extended permits as of 1 April 2025.
The residence permit for an employed person is the most common work-based residence permit issued in Finland. The number of applications for a first residence permit for an employed person submitted between January and November 2024 was 9104. The most common citizenships among applicants who have applied for a work-based residence permit this year are Thailand, Philippines, India, China and Vietnam. Most applicants from Thailand came to Finland for a short time period to pick wild berries.
New processing fees
The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) updated its processing fees effective 1 January 2025, based on a decree by the Ministry of the interior.
Examples of price changes include the following.
- Previously, the residence permit card on the basis of temporary protection was free of charge. Moving forward, the card will be subject to a charge. The processing fee for an online application for a card on the basis of temporary protection is EUR 20, and for a paper application, EUR 40.
- The processing fee for an online application for a permanent residence permit has increased to EUR 240. The previous price was EUR 220. The price of a paper application for a permanent residence permit has increased to EUR 350. The previous price was EUR 270.
2024 fees will apply to applications submitted by 31 December 2024.
Decision-making pause in January 2025 concerning residence permit for an employed person and seasonal work permits
The decision-making on certain residence permit applications is on pause from 1 to 8 January 2025. The pause concerns applications for a residence permit for an employed person and residence permits for seasonal work that exceeds six months. The decision-making on both first and extended permits will be on pause.
The pause does not affect the submission of residence permit applications, which can be submitted normally through the online service Enter Finland even during the break.
Processing times are likely to be longer than usual due to the pause in decision-making.
The reason for the pause is the transfer of work permit services from the TE Offices to the Finnish Immigration Service and the system updates required because of the transfer.
Immigration support in Finland
If you require advice or support in relation to Finnish immigration, our global team can help.
Smith Stone Walters is now part of Envoy Global, the leading corporate immigration services provider committed to delivering a better way for companies to manage global immigration.
This partnership will significantly expand our global immigration services and enable us to offer an even higher level of support for employers worldwide. To find out more, please contact us today.
