The comprehensive reform of the Act on the Promotion of Immigrant Integration (Integration Act) will enter into force at the beginning of 2025 when the main responsibility for integration will be transferred from the state to municipalities. On 4 April 2024, the Government submitted a proposal to Parliament on changes to the reform based on the Government Programme. For example, the imputed reimbursement period for municipalities and wellbeing services counties would be shortened to strengthen general government finances.

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.

According to a report commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the employment rate and average income vary strongly among people who have arrived in Finland for different reasons, especially in the early stages of their stay. The differences in the employment rate and income between immigrants and people with Finnish background narrow along with the length of stay in Finland.

The promotion of work-based immigration requires that exploitation of foreign labour is effectively and proactively combatted. The new action plan for prevention of labour exploitation will tackle the phenomenon with legislative reforms and increased cooperation between the authorities during the government term.

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.