The number of applications increased slightly from the previous year while the processing times for permits shortened significantly. In the first part of 2024, 15,959 people applied for the first permit, compared with 15,493 persons during the same time last year.

The Government is seeking to strengthen the link between work and work-based residence permits, and to improve permit supervision. Worker’s residence permit holders in Finland would also have better opportunities to find new employment in sectors with a labour shortage. The Government proposal has been circulated for comments between 13 June and 16 August 2024.

The Government proposed on 6 June 2024 that in future, persons arriving in Finland with a residence permit for an employed person should receive a monthly pay of at least EUR 1,600 for work carried out in Finland. In future, the income limit for a residence permit for an employed persons could be amended by government decree. The amendments are scheduled to enter into force on 1 November 2024.

The development measures of the employment and economic development services (TE services), the Finnish Immigration Service and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment reduced the processing time of residence permits for employed persons to an average of 41 days in February 2024 from the previous year’s figure of 77 days.

An income limit of EUR 1,600 would be set for the residence permit for an employed person. In future, the income limit would be laid down by government decree. The government proposal will be circulated for comments until 31.1.2024.