Pause in processing of work-based permits in January 2025
The decision-making on certain residence permit applications will be on pause from 1 to 8 January 2025. The processing pause concerns the residence permit for an employed person and the residence permits for seasonal work where the permit period is at least 6 months. The decision-making on first and extended permits will be on pause.
If your current permit is about to expire and you need an extended permit, please submit an application as soon as possible.
The pause does not affect the submission of residence permit applications: Applications can be submitted normally through the online service Enter Finland even during the break.
Remember to apply for an extended permit before your current permit expires. Your application is considered to have arrived in time if you submit it via Enter Finland before your previous residence permit expires. However, it may take longer than normally for us to issue a decision.
- When you apply for a residence permit for an employed person, you must have a job in Finland. Please make sure you meet all the requirements for the residence permit. You will find the requirements on the page Residence permit application for an employed person.
- When you apply for an extended permit, check if you have the right to work while your application is being processed. Read more about this on the page Right to work while your application for an extended permit is being processed.
- Employers will find information about their role and obligations and about using the Enter Finland for Employers online service on the page For employers.
Work permit services to be transferred from TE Offices to Finnish Immigration Service on 1 January 2025
The employment and economic development services in Finland are being reformed, and the interruption in decision-making on certain work-based permits in January allows us to make the necessary changes in our automation and data systems.
Until January, applications for a residence permit for an employed person and applications for a residence permit for seasonal work that exceeds 6 months have been processed in two stages: The TE Office has first issued a partial decision before forwarding the application to the Finnish Immigration Service for further processing.
As of 1 January 2025, the Finnish Immigration Service will inspect and assess all the requirements for work-based residence permits all at once. The reorganisation of responsibilities aims to enhance the customer experience and to ensure an even more seamless process.
