Preparations begin to strengthen the tie between work-based residence permits and work

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has launched preparations for legislative amendments that will clarify the effects of unemployment on valid work-based residence permits. In future, persons with a work-based residence permit would have to leave Finland if the employment relationship ended and no new employment relationship was concluded within three months.

“The work-based residence permits in Finland will increasingly be based on the right and obligation to work. At the same time, we must ensure that persons with a work-based residence permit receive better support for re-employment than now. For example, private employment services could play a stronger role in the future,” says Minister of Employment Arto Satonen.

Persons residing in Finland with a work-based residence permit would have to leave the country if their employment relationship was terminated and no new employment relationship was concluded within three months. Under the current legislation, a permit can be cancelled if the employment relationship ends, but there are no detailed regulations on the duration of unemployment. There is also no systematic supervision.

During the preparation, the Ministry will assess the scope of application of the three-month rule and its effects on the availability of labour.

Amendments will consider labour availability and improve supervision

Compliance with the three-month rule requires supervision. In accordance with the Government Programme, employers would be obligated to notify the Finnish Immigration Service that an employment relationship of a person with a work-based residence permit has ended. Failure to meet this obligation would be subject to sanctions. 

In addition, the right to work of people with work-based residence permits would be expanded in accordance with the Government Programme. Moving forward, people could work with the same permit in other jobs in the same sector and in sectors that can be genuinely identified as suffering from a labour shortage. The aim is to support the re-employment of immigrants and to promote the availability of labour.

Changes will enter into force in 2025 at the earliest

The Government is scheduled to send the proposal for public consultation in spring 2024 and to Parliament in autumn 2024. The amendments would enter into force in 2025 at the earliest.

Inquiries:
Veera Svahn, Special Adviser to the Minister of Employment, tel. +358 295 047 321
Jarmo Tiukkanen, Senior Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 047 355