URGENT: Finland Urged to Attract More Foreign Experts and Students

Finland Seeks to Attract Foreign Experts and Students Amid Declining Specialist Applications

Finland’s Labour Minister, Arto Satonen, highlighted the need for an influx of foreign experts and students as new residence permit applications show a downward trend. Satonen, who spoke to the media on Wednesday, outlined plans to boost work-based immigration, marking a shift from previous government policies that were less receptive to foreign labour reform.

Satonen stressed Finland’s appeal for education and employment but noted that only around 50% of international students choose to stay in the country after graduation. To address this, a new regulation is being prepared to offer permanent residency to individuals who complete a master’s degree in Finland and pass a Finnish or Swedish language exam.

Preliminary data from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment reveal a mixed picture: While first-time applications for work-based residence permits rose slightly in the first half of 2024 to over 9,000, the number of specialist applications decreased from over 900 to just over 600. Conversely, applications for student residence permits increased to nearly 7,000.

Despite these trends, The country faces intense global competition for skilled talent. Satonen opposed setting immigration quotas, citing sector-specific demand fluctuations, such as the recent downturn in construction.

A recent survey by the Academic Engineers and Architects (TEK) and the Union of Professional Engineers (IL) indicated that nearly 90% of foreign specialists are concerned about the ongoing immigration debate. Additionally, 80% are skeptical about the country’s future ability to attract international experts.

Criticism has also come from the Technology Industries of Finland and trade unions, who argue that recent government measures, including the proposed “three-month unemployment rule” and a new minimum income threshold of 1,600 euros per month, could damage the country’s reputation and increase administrative burdens.

Satonen acknowledged these challenges but maintained that reforms are necessary to improve the country’s attractiveness to foreign workers and students.