Customers at the Finnish Immigration Service’s Helsinki service point. The government plans to tighten the conditions for permanent residence permits. LEHTIKUVA
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The Finnish government has announced plans to tighten the requirements for obtaining permanent residence permits, extending residency periods and introducing language and work requirements. The proposal, unveiled by the Ministry of the Interior, aims to encourage integration into Finnish society.
Under the proposed changes, the continuous residency period required for a permanent permit would increase from four to six years.
Applicants would also need “sufficient skills” in either Finnish or Swedish and a two-year work history in Finland. The proposed amendments to the Aliens Act were sent out for comments on 27 January, with a deadline for feedback set for 7 March.
Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said the reforms reflect the government’s objective to promote employment, language acquisition, and compliance with Finnish societal norms. “Successful integration would be a prerequisite for obtaining a permanent residence permit,” she said.
While the standard residency period would be six years, some applicants could still qualify after four years if they meet additional criteria. These include earning an annual income of at least €40,000, holding a recognised Master’s or postgraduate degree alongside two years of work history, or demonstrating advanced Finnish or Swedish language skills combined with three years of work history.
Graduates of Finnish universities with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or postgraduate degree may be exempt from the six-year requirement, provided they meet language proficiency standards and other general conditions for residency permits.
The proposal includes measures to address applicants with criminal convictions. An unconditional prison sentence would affect the calculation of the residency period required for both permanent and EU long-term resident permits.
The government also plans to extend language requirements to long-term EU residence permits. Applicants for such permits, typically granted to third-country nationals who have resided in the EU for an extended period, would need to demonstrate proficiency in Finnish or Swedish.
The government views these changes as essential to fostering successful integration and ensuring that immigrants contribute to Finnish society. The proposal is part of a broader effort to balance immigration policies with national economic and social goals.
Feedback from stakeholders and the public will be reviewed before the government finalises the amendments. If implemented, the new rules would mark a significant shift in Finland’s approach to permanent residence, emphasising integration through work and language.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
