Finland Plans Expedited Residence Permits for International Students
Key Takeaways
- Finland’s Interior Ministry has proposed changes to residence permit rules, particularly for international students.
- The proposal includes lowering the residency requirements for students seeking permanent residency.
- The reform aims to attract more international students to Finland.
The Finnish Interior Ministry has submitted a proposal for changes to residence permit regulations, including stricter family reunification rules and streamlined processes for international students. The proposal, open for comments until March 7, introduces measures to facilitate permanent residency for graduates.
Henrik Vuornos, an MP from the National Coalition Party, praised the initiative, especially its benefits for study-based immigration.
"The fast track to permanent residence permits for immigrants who graduate in Finland is a truly significant improvement. In the future, an immigrant who earns a degree from a Finnish university can receive a permanent residence permit immediately if their studies include 15 credits of Finnish or Swedish."
– Henrik Vuornos, MP, National Coalition Party
If approved, this change would allow international students to secure permanent residency without completing the standard residency period currently required.
"Finland Wants Foreign Students to Be Part of Society," Says MP
MP Vuornos emphasized Finland’s need for skilled migrants, stating that the reform would help attract more international students to Finnish universities.
"With this reform, the government is sending a strong message to foreign students: We want you to be part of Finnish society and build your life here."
– MP Henrik Vuornos
The Finnish government hopes that by drawing more students into high-demand fields, such as technology and business, the country can address its labor shortages.
Proposed Changes to Permanent Residency Criteria
Under the new proposal, foreigners could qualify for permanent residency if they meet one of the following conditions:
- Earn at least €40,000 annually
- Hold a master’s or postgraduate degree and have two years of work experience
- Demonstrate good proficiency in Finnish or Swedish and have three years of work experience
Finland Sees Rise in Student Applications
According to Study in Finland, the country received 63,000 student applications in 2024, marking a 3% increase from the previous year. Of these, 53,800 were from international students, with 80% coming from outside the EU.
The most common nationalities among applicants included students from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Ghana, India, Vietnam, Iran, and Cameroon. Popular fields of study included business, administration, law, and information and communication technologies (ICT).