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.

The Talent Boost programme on work-based and education-based immigration will continue in a revised form during this Government term. The aim is to provide Finland with skills that meet its needs and to strengthen economic growth, employment and innovation activities. The ministerial working group on employment and entrepreneurship approved the programme on 21 November 2023.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has launched preparations for legislative amendments that will clarify the effects of unemployment on valid work-based residence permits. In future, persons with a work-based residence permit would have to leave Finland if the employment relationship ended and no new employment relationship was concluded within three months.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has begun preparations to amend laws relating to income limits for work-based residence permits. Simultaneously, the Ministry will examine the appropriate levels and impacts of income limits.