Finland Could Revoke Residence Permits for Hundreds of Foreign Students
Key Points
- Finland's Immigration Service is evaluating the cancellation of hundreds of student residence permits.
- This review stems from concerns that some students no longer meet the eligibility criteria for their permits.
- Over a 12-month period, 264 residence permits were revoked.
The Finnish Immigration Service is scrutinizing the validity of residence permits for foreign students, with potential cancellations looming for hundreds.
Authorities have raised concerns that many students may no longer fulfill the necessary conditions for their residence permits, prompting this review. By the end of September 2024, the agency had already annulled 264 permits, with another 216 cases under examination. These actions followed automated permit checks introduced in September 2023.
Between September 2023 and September 2024, the agency conducted 5,795 permit reviews, revealing instances where requirements were not being met.
Under Finland’s regulations, residence permits valid for more than six months are subject to periodic reviews—three months after issuance and annually thereafter.
Faster Processing for Study Permits
The Finnish Immigration Service has significantly reduced the time required to process residence permits for students. In September 2024, the average wait for a study permit was just eight days, compared to 36 days the previous year. Extensions for study permits now average 20 days, down from 63 days in September 2023, though processing times may vary monthly.
Despite the ongoing permit reviews, Finland remains committed to retaining foreign talent. The country has proposed granting permanent residency to those who complete a master’s degree in Finland and pass a Finnish or Swedish language proficiency test. However, this proposal is yet to be finalized.