Photo: ICPonline
- Next Article Finnair grounds 100 flights as aviation union strike continues
Finland has recorded a significant rise in residence permit applications from family members of international students. Applications rose from around 1,300 in 2021 to over 12,000 in 2023, and are expected to reach 15,000 this year, according to the Finnish Immigration Service.
The increase follows changes introduced in 2022 under Prime Minister Sanna Marin’s government. These reforms allowed students to receive residence permits covering their full studies and expanded their work rights. The updated policy has attracted older students who are more likely to bring spouses and children.
Most international degree students now come from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, India, Pakistan, Vietnam, Nigeria, Myanmar and Russia. Finnish authorities have not actively promoted the changes abroad, but information has spread through informal networks.
The surge has raised concerns about financial strain. In Tampere, a third of those requesting food aid are international students. Authorities report growing cases of hardship and unrealistic employment expectations, often linked to misinformation from intermediary agencies.
While students’ financial status is only checked in the first year, their family members must renew permits annually. The government has signalled it will review the system. Interior Minister Mari Rantanen of the Finns Party wants to reverse the reform entirely, arguing it has led to predictable problems.
Rantanen proposes reinstating annual checks on student finances and applying the same criteria for family reunification as for other migrants. She did not call for a cap on student numbers but said Finland must consider its capacity to educate and support non-EU students.
HT
- Next Article Finnair grounds 100 flights as aviation union strike continues
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
