Key Takeaways
A total of 12,498 foreigners applied for their first work-based residence permit in Finland during the first nine months of 2024.
This figure is higher than pre-pandemic levels but lower than last year.
In contrast, the number of residence permit applications from international students has increased compared to 2023.
Recent data from the Finnish authorities indicate that the number of foreign nationals applying for work-based residence permits has remained high throughout 2024.
Between January and September of this year, Finland received a total of 12,498 first-time work-based residence permit applications, according to the Finnish Immigration Service, as reported by Schengen.News.
The most common nationalities among applicants during this period were Thais, Filipinos, Indians, Chinese, and Vietnamese.
While the number of applications is higher than the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still lower compared to the same period in 2023. Specifically, the number of applications in the first nine months of 2024 is 5% lower than last year, when 13,173 applications were recorded.
The Finnish Immigration Service noted that one contributing factor to this decline is the reduced number of applications for residence permits for employed persons. Arto Niemi, Head of Information Services, also pointed to the broader economic situation as having a significant impact on the number of applications.
The drop in the number of applications for a residence permit for an employed person is likely affected by the general economic situation and by the reduction of international recruitment in health care and social services and in the construction industry. In particular, this can be seen in the number of applications from construction workers.Head of Information Services, Arto Niemi
Foreign Specialists Submitted Fewer Residence
Permit Applications, Too
In addition to the previously mentioned trends, data from the Finnish Immigration Service reveals that fewer foreign specialists applied for residence permits in the first nine months of 2024.
During this period, only 978 foreign specialists submitted applications for a Finnish residence permit, marking a 24% decrease compared to the same period last year, when 1,292 foreign specialists applied.
Arto Niemi explained that this decline is partly due to intense global competition for international talent, suggesting that Finland will need to implement measures to attract more foreign specialists to the country.
Finland Sees a 9% Increase in Permit Applications Filed by International Students
In contrast to the trends observed in the previous categories, the number of residence permit applications from international students has increased between January and September 2024.
Data shows that during this period, a total of 11,749 international students applied for a Finnish residence permit, marking a 9% increase compared to the previous year.
The largest groups of applicants came from Bangladesh, Nepal, and India.
In line with recent reforms, Finland has been processing study-related residence permit applications more quickly, with the average processing time now reduced to just nine days.
