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FINLAND – Changes to work-based residence permits.
July 1, 2025
By: Hannah In-Chan, Director, Newland Chase Advisory
These legislative updates reflect Finland’s commitment to maintaining a robust, compliant immigration system while offering flexibility to highly skilled foreign nationals. Employers should proactively review internal HR and compliance processes to meet the new notification obligations. Foreign nationals are encouraged to remain informed of their responsibilities, particularly in the event of job changes or unemployment, to maintain lawful residence in Finland.
The Finnish authorities have introduced important amendments to the legislation governing work-based residence permits. These changes are intended to enhance regulatory oversight and more closely align residence permits with active employment.
Protection period for unemployment.
Foreign nationals holding a valid residence permit based on employment who become unemployed will now benefit from a three-month protection period during which they may seek new employment without immediately jeopardizing their immigration status. Those who have resided in Finland for more than two years under a work-based residence permit, or as a Specialist, may qualify for an extended protection period of up to six months.
To benefit from the protection period, the individual’s current residence permit must remain valid for the duration of the three- or six-month period. Importantly, residence permits will not automatically be extended to cover the protection period. If the permit is due to expire during this time, the foreign national must secure new employment and apply for a new residence permit prior to the expiration date.
If a foreign national fails to obtain new employment or apply for a residence permit under an alternative category within the designated protection period, their permit is subject to withdrawal. Foreign nationals should also note that their residence status may be reassessed if their employment ends prior to the permit’s expiration.
Notification obligation for employers.
Employers are now required to notify the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) within 14 days via the Enter Finland service if the employment of a foreign national ends before the expiry of their residence permit. This obligation applies to all employers who sponsor work-based residence permits and supports closer monitoring of employment-linked permits
Contact Newland Chase today to speak with an immigration advisor.
This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.
