Press releases

Immigration statistics 2024: Sharp drop in applications for international protection, record number of students applied for residence permit

High numbers of employees, students and family members of employees and students continue to show interest in Finland. Despite the high application numbers, the number of permits granted by the Finnish Immigration Service was lower in 2024 than in 2023. Labour migration to Finland has decreased because of the economic downturn in Finland, but the number of applications received is still at a historically high level. A record number of residence permit applications were submitted by students and family members of employees and students in 2024. Meanwhile, there has been a significant decrease in the number of incoming applications for international protection.

Finnish Immigration Service introduces automated post-decision monitoring of residence permits for employed persons

The Finnish Immigration Service introduces automated post-decision monitoring regarding the residence permit for an employed person on 20 January 2025. The purpose of automated post-decision monitoring is to verify whether the holder of a residence permit for an employed person still meets the requirements for the permit. Post-decision monitoring is applied to first residence permits issued on or after 1 January 2024 and to extended permits issued on or after 1 January 2023.

The validity periods of international protection permits will be shortened and protection becomes temporary

Changes will be made to permits issued on the basis of international protection as of 2 January 2025, when the amendments to the Aliens Act enter into force.

New minimum income limit as of 1 January 2025 for the residence permit for an employed person

The minimum income limit for a residence permit for an employed person will increase as of 1 January 2025 because of amendments to legislation. A foreign employee who arrives in Finland with a residence permit for an employed person will have to earn at least 1,600 euros per month for his or her work in Finland. The purpose of the amendments is to ensure that employees who move to Finland for work are paid a salary that is sufficient to cover their living costs. The new legislation supports the Government’s objective to increase the amount of full-time employment in Finland.

Employment permit services of the TE Office transferred to the Finnish Immigration Service on 1 January 2025

Starting on 1 January 2025, the Finnish Immigration Service will be fully responsible for processing residence permits for employed persons.

Decision-making on asylum applications from Syrians paused by Finnish Immigration Service

The Finnish Immigration Service decided on Monday morning, 9 December 2024, to pause its decision-making on asylum applications from Syrian citizens because of the changed security situation caused by the change of regime in Syria. The Finnish Immigration Service is reviewing its country of origin information about the area to allow decision-making to restart.

Almost 12,000 Ukrainians have applied for temporary protection in Finland this year

The purpose of temporary protection is to provide swift help to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. This year, the number of people seeking temporary protection in Finland has been lower than in previous years. The total number of applicants is 11,762, which is 37 per cent less than in the corresponding period last year.

Finnish Immigration Service establishes permanent posts

The Finnish Immigration Service will establish approximately 300–400 permanent posts next year. This is due to the exceptional staff structure of the agency, with as much as half of the staff having a fixed-term public-service employment relationship. The establishment of these permanent posts will not increase the number of staff members. Instead, positions with tasks of a permanent nature will be made permanent and filled. At the same time, the agency is adjusting its operations and increasing its operational efficiency, since its operating expenses will be cut by approximately 13 per cent next year.

Work-based migration to Finland higher than before COVID-19, number of international students growing

The Finnish Immigration Service is investigating the realisation of the terms of employment of wild-berry pickers from Thailand

Migration to Finland increasingly seamless and controlled

Contracts for additional places in reception centres not continued next year

Two group homes for minors to be closed down by Finnish Immigration Service

Longer period of residence required for citizenship

Competitive tendering procedure for IT services related to immigration matters completed

New border procedure introduced on 1 September 2024

Finnish Immigration Service to change income thresholds for residence permits as of 1 November 2024

Processing times for students’ residence permit applications continue to improve despite increasing numbers

Wild-berry pickers are applying for a residence permit for the first time – all applications have been processed

The Finnish Immigration Service is reducing the amount of accommodation in the reception system