If you are planning to make Finland your permanent residence, the application for Finland residence permits has undergone new changes. Stricter rules take effect on September 1, 2024, and it is important to ensure that your paperwork is in good shape and well-prepared!
This includes providing international students with a valid residence visa for the duration of their studies in the country rather than requiring them to renew it every academic year.
In this article, we’ll discuss crucial information regarding the most recent changes to the new residence permit system in Finland and details on how to renew it, among other things.
So, whether you are an aspiring student, a worker, or anyone who’s looking for a fresh start in Finland, this guide will prepare you on what you need to know before you pack your bags.
What is the Duration of a Finland Residence Permit?
Your first-time residence is always fixed-term, often valid for a year. You can renew and extend it as long as you need to be in Finland. However, the same grounds you applied for your permit initially must be valid if you want to extend the same permit.
If your situation has changed since your residence was granted you might need to change your application form when you apply for an extension. Now, let’s dive into the recent updates on the new residence permit system in Finland.
Recent Updates on New Residence Permit in Finland
1. Passport is Essential
Your passport is your main key to unlocking your dreams of studying, working, and living in Finland. Starting on September 1, 2024, you will need a valid passport from your country of nationality to apply for a residence permit in Finland. Even if you have applied before September 1 but have yet to receive a decision, these new rules may affect your application as well.
2. Previous Assistance to Go Back Home
If you left Finland within the last five years and got help from the Finnish government to return to your home country (or another country) to settle there, you might still need to get a new residence permit.
This is because the government wants to ensure that you are serious about staying in Finland this time. However, if you got this help to leave before September 1, 2024, this new rule only applies to you. You can still apply for a residence permit without worrying about this.
3. Update on Income Threshold
Finland wants to ensure that everyone who calls Finland home can thrive and survive. So, starting November 1, 2024, the income requirements for certain residence permits will be adjusted.
You might think of it as extra support to ensure you can enjoy the Finnish lifestyle comfortably. Meanwhile, what is the income threshold? To get a residence permit, you usually need to prove you have enough money to live in Finland without needing financial assistance.
In essence, you meet the financial requirement if your net income is at or above the minimum amount set by the Finnish Immigration Service. They also consider regional differences in living costs, so if housing is cheaper in your area, they might lower the minimum income requirement by up to 15%.
It’s been a while since these rules were updated, and the cost of living has naturally increased. This ensures newcomers have enough to cover their basic needs and truly experience all that Finland has to offer!
4. Income Threshold for Students
Previously, students need to show that they have €560 per month to get a residence permit. However, from November onward, this will increase to €800 per month. The new threshold is set by considering factors like cheaper student housing, subsidized meals, and student discounts.
This same income requirement also applies to students and researchers who want a permit to search for a job or start a business after their studies. Additionally, the income requirements for students’ family members will also go up, as shown in the table earlier in this post.
Here are Some Other Things to Know About New Residence Permit in Finland:
- The processing time for a residence permit can be 6–9 months, depending on the application.
- If you are a family member of a Finnish citizen, you can apply for a first residence permit while in Finland.
- You can apply for a work permit online through the Enter Finland website.
- You must verify your identity at a Finnish Immigration Service service point within three months of receiving your residence permit.
- A new amendment to the migration policy was approved on July 5, 2024, and it went into effect on October 1, 2024. The amendment extends the required period of residence for a permanent residence permit to six years, introduces a language skills requirement, and adopts a stricter integrity requirement.
Types of Finland Residence Permits
Generally speaking, Finland residence permits are divided according to their length and the applicant’s reason for applying.
In terms of length, there are two types of permits:
- Fixed-term permit: These permits are issued for a fixed period, and there are two types: Temporary B permit (usually valid for a year and needs to be extended every year) and Continuous A permit (valid for four years and can be extended every four years).
- Permanent permit: This permit is typically valid indefinitely unless you wish to cancel your residence permit or you violate the permit rules and your permit is revoked.
In terms of reason, there are several types of residence permits:
- Residence Permit for Work: You need to have a valid job contract to qualify for this type of permit. This visa is typically valid for a year; however, it can sometimes be issued for the validity of your work contract.
- Residence Permit for Studies: A student residence permit is valid for two years. If your studies last less than two years, your permit will be valid only for the duration of your program. If you have a job and wish to stay in Finland after your studies, you can switch to a work permit or apply for a job-seeker visa and find work.
- Residence Permit Based on Family Ties: This permit is issued to individuals who have family members residing in Finland. A family member is considered a spouse, registered partner, child, or legal guardian. The validity of this permit depends on several factors, though the usual validity period is one to four years.
- Residence Permit on Other Grounds: Usually, permits are issued for work, family ties, and study purposes. If none of these types of permits apply to you, then you can apply for a permit on special grounds; this includes dating someone in Finland with the intention of marriage.
- Residence Permit Based on Re-immigration: You can apply for this permit if you were a Finnish citizen previously, either by birth or naturalization and you want to return to Finland. You also qualify for this permit if you have Finnish roots or are connected to Finland in some other way.
- EU Permanent Residence: This type of permanent residence is granted to residents who have lived in Finland for 5 years under a continuous permit and whose pre-existing conditions on which their continuous permit was issued are still valid.
Wrapping Up
Finland’s doors are still open, but it’s important to be prepared! These new residence permit rules may seem like a lot to take in. Still, they’re about ensuring a smooth and successful transition for every foreigner who wants to call Finland home.
