Finland reports drop in work-based residence permits, rise in student applications

Finland remains a popular country for foreigners looking to work or study. The rate of labour migration to Finland has decreased, but the number of applications remains higher than in the years before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The growth of labour migration to Finland has slowed down, but the application figures remain on a higher level than in the years preceding the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of international students in Finland is increasing.

These are some of the conclusions presented in the Finnish Immigration Service’s most recent ‘Immigration to Finland’ report published in November 2024. The report examines the statistics on permit applications submitted to the Finnish Immigration Service by foreign nationals who are moving to Finland. The application data presented in the report concerns applications submitted in January–September 2024.

The number of applications for a first work-based residence permit submitted between January and September was 12,498. This is 5% less than during the same time period last year. The most common citizenships among applicants who applied for a work-based residence permit were Thailand, Philippines, India, China and Vietnam.

One factor behind the drop compared with last year is that the number of applications for a residence permit for an employed person has decreased. The residence permit for an employed person is the most frequently issued work-based residence permit.

The number of applications for this permit has decreased by approximately 8% compared with last year, despite the new permit requirements for wild-berry pickers. Wild-berry pickers were required to apply for a residence permit for the first time this year. This has contributed to the increase in the number of applications for a first work-based residence permit from citizens of Thailand.

There has been a significant drop in the number of applications from many other countries. The number of applications from citizens of Philippines, for example, has fallen by one-third.

“The drop in the number of applications for a residence permit for an employed person is likely affected by the general economic situation and by the reduction of international recruitment in health care and social services and in the construction industry. In particular, this can be seen in the number of applications from construction workers,” says Arto Niemi, Head of Information Services.

Labour migration to Finland from EU Member States is decreasing, too. In January–September this year, a total of 2,216 applications for EU registration were made on the basis of work. The number has dropped by about a fifth compared with last year.

“The situation in the construction industry is presumably affecting these numbers as well. The number of EU registrations made for Estonian citizens, for example, has decreased,” says Niemi.

The number of applications for a residence permit for a specialist submitted in January–September was only 978. This is 24% less than during the same period last year. If applications are submitted at a steady pace for the rest of the year, the expected number of applications for the whole year would be approximately 1,200. This would be the lowest number of such applications in 5 years, except the year 2020 when the number of applications dropped because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The reasons behind the fewer applications from specialists include the general economic situation, the intense global competition for international talent, and the exceptionally low number of applications from Russian citizens. Russian citizens have submitted only 54 applications for a residence permit for a specialist in January–September this year. During the same period last year, Russian citizens submitted 228 applications,” says Niemi.

The number of applications from international students, 11,749 applications, is on a high level even this year (1–9/2023: 10,780). The number of applications has increased by 9% compared with January–September last year. Especially citizens of Asian countries are applying for permits to study in Finland. The most common countries of nationality among applicants are Bangladesh, Nepal and India.

“The number of applications from citizens of Nepal has nearly doubled compared with last year, whereas the number of applications from Russian citizens has dropped, also in residence permits for studies. There has been a moderate increase in the number of exchange students since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Niemi says.

Last year, 89% of applicants who applied for a residence permit based on work or studies received a positive decision on their application.

The Finnish Immigration Service expects that a total of 46,000 applications for a first residence permit will be submitted in 2025. Out of this number, 32,000 are expected to be applications for permits based on work or studies, whereas the rest is expected to be applications for protection-based permits. The exact application volume projections are available on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service.

The application volume projections of the Finnish Immigration Service only concern the number of applications for a first residence permit based on work or studies and the number of applications for temporary protection and international protection.

The forecasts do not take a stand on other factors, such as the number of permits that will actually be granted. In addition to the permits already mentioned, the Finnish Immigration Service will receive and process other applications, such as applications for residence permits on the basis of family ties, applications for EU registration from EU citizens, and applications for an extended permit made by those who already live in Finland and who need to extend their current permits.

Finland updated its Citizenship Act in October 2024, raising the residency requirement for immigrants from 5 to 8 years, with effect from October 1, 2024. The new rules also simplify the calculation of days abroad and make it clear that time spent without a residence permit or during asylum processing does not count toward residency.