Finland Eases Work Permit Processing Amid Growing Demand for Skilled Labor

• Finland accelerates processing times for work-based residence permits, particularly for foreign experts, in response to labor shortages.
• Specialists now receive decisions within nine days, a decrease from the average of 12 days in September 2023.
• Processing times for other work permits, permit extensions, and study permits have also significantly improved.
• Finnish Immigration Service assures that despite quicker processing, national security remains a priority with enhanced cross-agency cooperation.

Amid ongoing labor shortages, particularly in fields requiring highly skilled professionals, Finland has streamlined the approval process for work-based residence permits, making it faster for foreign nationals to secure employment. According to the Finnish Immigration Service, processing times for specialists — highly educated or specially skilled professionals earning at least €3,600 per month — have decreased to an average of just nine days. This represents a notable improvement from the 12-day average recorded in September 2023.

The efficiency measures extend beyond specialists. In a bid to attract more foreign labor, the Finnish Immigration Service has significantly reduced wait times for all applicants seeking work-based residence permits. First-time applicants now receive a decision within an average of 23 days, a sharp drop from the 55-day wait observed in the previous year. Similarly, those facing rejected applications are receiving decisions within 87 days, down from an average of 125 days.

Renewals and other permit types have also benefited from this acceleration. Permit extension applications, which last year took up to 63 days, are now processed in just 20 days on average. The Finnish Immigration Service has even trimmed the processing period for residence permits for study purposes to eight days, down from an average of 36 days last year, streamlining the path for international students as well.

Director General of the Finnish Immigration Service, Ilkka Haahtela, addressed any concerns over national security, affirming that faster processing does not compromise safety. “We have strengthened our cooperation with other authorities to ensure that national security standards remain high while expediting permit approvals,” Haahtela remarked.

As Finland continues its commitment to efficient permit processing, the Immigration Service plans further improvements next year, with aims to cut processing times for asylum applications as well. Through these changes, Finland seeks to become an even more attractive destination for skilled professionals while supporting its economy with the talent it needs.