The Ministry of the Interior informed that the Government submitted to Parliament the proposed amendments to the Aliens Act with the aim to tighten the conditions for obtaining permanent residence permit.
The following changes are envisaged, with entry into force on 8 January 2025: continuous period of residence of 6 years (extended from currently 4 years), when the pervious condition is fulfilled, there is a requirement of proficiency in either Finnish or Swedish as satisfactory and 2 years of work experience in Finland, Applicants who have completed a master's degree, a postgraduate degree or a university bachelor's degree in Finland could obtain a permanent residence permit without having to meet the required period of residence in terms of years.
However, it will be still possible to obtain a permanent residence permit based on a four-year period of residence if the person will meet one of the following three additional requirements: 1) a minimum annual income of EUR 40,000, 2) a master's degree or a postgraduate degree recognised in Finland and two years of work experience in Finland, and 3) high proficiency in Finnish or Swedish and three years of work experience in Finland.
When the person meets the work experience requirement, there is a requirement that they have only used unemployment security or social assistance for a maximum of three months.