Background information

The parliament of Finland passed amendments to the Aliens Act 301/2004 (Ulkomaalaislaki) chapter 5 to ease the residence permit process of work-based migrants and increase the responsibility of employers in ensuring employee qualifications. The amendments entered into force on 23 February 2023, and new types of residence permits have been granted from that day by the Finnish Immigration Service Migri (Maahanmuuttovirasto). The amendments to chapter 5 support the goal of Sanna Marin’s government programme to shorten the decision-making time of residence permits to approximately one month

Content of measure

The amendments to chapter 5 of the Aliens Act 301/2004 impact in particular work-based migrants and their employers, but some changes also affect international students. As per the amendment, the validity of the applicants’ passport no longer affect the duration of the permit issued. Before the amendment the last date of passport validity also had to be the last date on the permit. Now, the applicants travel document only needs to be valid at the time of application. This amendment affects both work-based migrants and international students. The amendments to the Aliens Act entail have increased employer responsibility for the residence permit application. The new act requires that employers have ensured the employees’ qualifications and competence, and thus the employee does not have to prove them again to the Finnish Immigration Service. In practice this means less attachments for the applicant to send for review to the Finnish Immigration Service.

The employer can also get their business certified at the Finnish Immigration Service. A certified employer will not need to report the information of their business separately in each foreign employee’s permit application. The price of certification is €140 for online applications and €195 for paper applications.

Use of measure

During 2025, by 20 April, ,714 first-time work-based residence permit (TTOL) applications have been recorded. Positive decisions still take 64 days on average.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Migrants or refugees in employment	Applies to all businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Consulted	Consulted
Form	Direct consultation outside a formal body	Direct consultation outside a formal body

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

Social partners have been consulted in the design process in consultation rounds.

Views and reactions

The peak-level employer organisation Confederation of Finnish Industries EK and the peak-level Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland Akava have both voiced support for the general goals of the amendments as well as the new system for certifying employers. EK has in their statement underlined the importance that the criteria for certification cannot be too rigid and thus risk excluding start-ups

Sources

• 03 October 2022: Confederation of FInnish industries statement on amending Aliens Act chapter 5 (EKn lausunto ulkomaalaislain 5 luvun uudistamisesta) (www.eduskunta.fi)
• 04 October 2022: Akava´s statement on amending Aliens Act chapter 5 (Akavan lausunto ulkomaalaislain 5 luvun uudistamisesta (www.eduskunta.fi)
• 23 February 2023: Amendments to the Aliens Act enable more efficient services for employees and employer (migri.fi)
• 25 April 2025: Residence permit application for an employed person (TTOL (migri.fi)