Why is Finland simplifying immigration and what does it mean for foreigners?

Why is Finland simplifying immigration procedures for foreigners?
How to obtain a Blue Card in Finland: requirements and application process

Why is Finland simplifying immigration procedures?

The Finnish labor market is experiencing a serious shortage of personnel, especially in high-tech industries. Local authorities are aware of this, and research confirms that attracting foreign specialists is essential for the dynamic development of Finnish organizations.

New immigration procedure

Over the past six months, the Finnish Immigration Service has been actively developing a new procedure to simplify the application process for immigrants. This service is now available, providing foreigners with new opportunities. They can now simultaneously apply for a long-term type D visa and a residence permit.

Who can take advantage of the simplified program?

It is important to emphasize who exactly can take advantage of this new and fast program. The simplified process for obtaining residence permits is available for a number of categories of foreigners, including:

qualified specialists
beginning entrepreneurs
employees of international companies

Qualified specialists

The first category consists of professional workers who must be employed by a Finnish employer. The jobs they will perform require a high level of qualification. This mainly pertains to workers in the fields of information technology and other specialties that require advanced qualifications.

Minimum wageFor such specialists, the salary is around 36,000 euros per year. If the applicant does not have a higher education or their salary is below the established level, they will need to provide an explanation of why specific professional skills and knowledge are required for this job.

Beginner entrepreneurs

The next group consists of beginner entrepreneurs. Before starting the process of obtaining a residence permit, these businesspeople must receive approval from the organization Business Finland to implement their startup. A key requirement is having a well-thought-out business plan.

The startup team must consist of at least two members, but in this case, there are no requirements for a minimum salary level or the amount of investment. It is also possible to attract financial support from local investment funds.

In addition, startup founders must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to live in Finland: a minimum is required.1000 euros per person per monthTo obtain a residence permit, it is necessary to confirm the availability of funds sufficient for a whole year. This confirmation can come from savings, salary, rental income, and other legal sources of income that will be received during the stay in the country.

Employees of international companies

The third category includes employees of international companies who are transferred to Finnish offices. A simplified process for obtaining a residence permit will be provided to such workers, provided that they are engaged in professional or managerial activities. In this case, the maximum duration of work in Finland will bethree years.

When planning for a longer work period, it will be necessary to apply for a different category of work visa (TTOL).

Conclusion

Thus, Finland is opening its doors to foreign specialists and actively simplifying migration procedures, creating new opportunities for both employment and business. These changes are aimed at attracting skilled workers and entrepreneurs, which, in turn, will contribute to the growth and development of specific sectors of the Finnish economy.

Labor market research

Some candidates will need to conduct thorough research in the labor market to confirm that no suitable candidates can be found among local citizens.

The concept of a blue card

The Blue Card, which is known in Europe asblue cardis a combination of a work permit and a residence permit in EU countries. This system was developed based on the American green card, but it is aimed at attracting highly qualified specialists with good incomes.

Requirements for obtaining a blue card

To obtain a Blue Card, a foreign citizen must enter into an employment contract with a company registered in Finland. The work they will be performing on Finnish territory must require high-level qualifications and relevant skills. The minimum salary cannot be less than 5,069 euros per month; additional bonuses are not taken into account.

Education and work experience

It is also necessary to meet the requirement of having a higher education, and the work experience in Finland must be at least one year. It is important to note that relatives of the aforementioned categories of foreigners, including spouses and minor children, can obtain a residence permit based on the application of the main candidate.

Investment opportunities and immigration

If you are interested in modern opportunities for investment, immigration, and purchasing real estate abroad, it is worth subscribing to current updates and familiarizing yourself with the application process for residency through the expedited service.

Application submission through Enter Finland

The application is submitted through an online platform.Enter FinlandThe employer applying for an EU Blue Card, as well as the company transferring personnel to Finland, must use the forms provided on Enter Finland for employers.

Application process

The Enter Finland system offers the option to apply for a residence permit in electronic format. The expedited process is available exclusively for applications submitted from abroad.

Preparation for submitting an application

To successfully prepare for the application submission, several points should be considered:

Check for compliance with the requirements.for the selected type of residence permit.
Make sure that all documents are translated into Finnish, Swedish, or English.
If necessary, carry out the legalization of the documents.

Filling out the online application

Then fill out the electronic application and indicate whether you need a type D visa to enter the country. If necessary, you must have an address in Finland, such as rented accommodation, where your residence permit card will be sent. If a visa is not required for entry, you will be able to choose where to deliver the card: to a service office outside the country or within Finland itself.

Identification number

Please make sure to include the primary applicant's identification number in the application for faster processing. This will significantly simplify and make the submission process more efficient.

Conclusion

The rapid simplification of immigration processes in Finland is primarily driven by a severe labor shortage in the local job market, especially in sectors where high technology confidently dominates. Given that Finnish companies are in need of qualified specialists, the preparation and launch of a new expedited procedure for processing residence permit applications have been not just desirable, but necessary steps.

It is important to note that this innovation opens doors for many foreign specialists, creates conditions for attracting foreign investments, and contributes to the development of various sectors of the economy. The quick processing of documents for obtaining a long-term visa has become a key factor that allows highly qualified foreigners to integrate into Finnish society and find work without unnecessary delays. Now, anyone interested can apply for a visa along with their residence permit application, which significantly reduces the time spent on the immigration process.

Key categories for expedited residence permit acquisition:

Specialists with employment contracts and high qualifications.
Beginning entrepreneurs with an approved business plan.
Employees of large corporations being transferred to the Finnish division.

Thus, it should be emphasized that immigration changes in Finland are aimed at both meeting the needs of the labor market and creating a comfortable environment for foreigners who wish to make this country their new home. It is important that the decision of the Finnish authorities opens new horizons and opportunities for professionals and entrepreneurs, giving them a chance to grow and succeed in one of the most stable and comfortable corners of Europe.

I hope this information will be useful for everyone planning to immigrate to Finland, and that the new simplified processes will be the first step towards successful integration into Finnish society and the economy.