Information for employers on transfer of work permit services from TE Offices to Finnish Immigration Service on 1 January 2025
The Finnish Immigration Service will be responsible for all residence permit matters for employed persons as of 1 January 2025. Because of this reorganisation of responsibilities, employee announcements regarding employees hired from outside the EU/EEA area must be submitted to the Finnish Immigration Service as of 1 January 2025. The purpose of the reorganisation of responsibilities is to enhance the customer experience and to ensure an even more seamless process. The reorganisation is part of the overall reform of employment and economic development services in Finland.
The processing of applications will slow down for a short while in early 2025 because of the reorganisation. During the spring, the processing pace will recover. Over time, the processing times will become considerably shorter than before.
If you are using Enter Finland for Employers, the reorganisation will not affect the way you use the service. Using Enter Finland for Employers is the easiest way to speed up the processing of your employee’s application. It is also the quickest and easiest way to manage your application matters. An additional benefit of using Enter Finland for Employers is that the processing fees for online applications are often more affordable than for paper applications.
No more partial decisions required
After the Finnish Immigration Service takes over some of the duties of the TE Offices on 1 January 2025, a partial decision is no longer required for a residence permit for an employed person and for a residence permit for seasonal work that lasts over 6 months. These applications will be processed by the Finnish Immigration Service only.
The information and attachments required for an application will remain the same as before. Labour market testing will continue, too. The Finnish Immigration Service will verify that the employee’s terms of employment comply with the provisions of law in force and follow the applicable collective agreement. The Finnish Immigration Service will also verify that the employee’s income is sufficient.
As an employer, you have the right to appeal against a decision only if a negative decision on your employee’s residence permit application has been issued for reasons related to the employer or for reasons related to the labour market situation. Once a partial decision is no longer required, employers will only be informed of decisions that are negative for reasons related to labour market testing or to the employer.
Positive decisions and decisions that are negative for reasons related to the applicant will be served on the applicant only. The applicant has the right to appeal against such decisions.
Guidance for employers
We are continuously enhancing and improving our guidance services for employers together with employers, employers' associations and stakeholder authorities. The aim of the guidance that we offer to employers is to ensure a seamless and secure application process and a quick decision process of high quality while meeting the employers’ expectations regarding the guidance services.
Our guidance services for employers include a telephone service, an email service, a comprehensive For employers section at Migri.fi and a regular Newsletter for employers. We arrange guidance and training events on many topics, including the use of Enter Finland for Employers.
- The service number for employers is open from Monday to Friday at 8.30–12 and 13–15.30.
- Service number for employers: 0295 790 601
- Email: tyonantajapalvelut@migri.fi
Read more
- Read more about our thematic newsletter: Työnantajien uutiskirje: TE-toimiston työlupapalvelut siirtyvät Maahanmuuttovirastoon 1.1.2025 alkaen (in Finnish)
- Subscribe to our Newsletter for employers to keep updated about the progress of our processing times and about themes that are relevant to employers.
