Conditions for obtaining a permanent residence permit to be tightened

The Government proposes tightening the conditions for a permanent residence permit by extending the continuous period of residence required for a permanent residence permit and by requiring language skills in Finnish or Swedish and a work history of a certain length, among other things. The government proposal to amend the Aliens Act was sent out for comments on 27 January.

“One of the objectives set in the Government Programme is to encourage immigrants to comply with the rules of Finnish society, to work and to study the language. In future, successful integration would be a prerequisite for obtaining a permanent residence permit,” says Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

According to the proposal, the continuous period of residence required for a permanent residence permit would be extended from four to six years in normal cases. Based on a six-year period of residence, a permanent residence permit could in future be issued to an applicant who has sufficient skills in the Finnish or Swedish language and a two-year work history.

Obtaining a permanent residence permit based on a four-year period of residence would still be possible, but the applicant would have to meet one of the three additional requirements. These would be 1) a minimum annual income of EUR 40,000, 2) a Master’s degree or a postgraduate degree recognised in Finland and a two-year work history, and 3) particularly good skills in the Finnish or Swedish language and a three-year work history.

In all cases, the requirement concerning a work history of a certain length would also include a requirement of the applicant having accumulated their work history without recourse to unemployment security or social assistance other than for a maximum of three months.

An applicant who has completed a Master’s degree, a postgraduate degree or a Bachelor’s degree at a university in Finland could obtain a permanent residence permit without meeting the requirement concerning the period of residence. In addition to the degree, such an applicant would have to have attained a certain level of proficiency in the Finnish or Swedish language. The applicant would also have to meet the general conditions for the issuance of a residence permit laid down in the Aliens Act.

Language skills in Finnish or Swedish would also be added among the requirements for obtaining a long-term resident’s EU residence permit. A third-country national who has resided within the European Union for a longer period may apply for an EU residence permit in a Member State. This is a permanent permit that is valid until further notice similarly as the national permanent permit.

Furthermore, the Government proposes that an unconditional sentence of imprisonment would in future affect the calculation of the period of residence required for a permanent residence permit and a long-term resident’s residence permit.

Inquiries:
Harri Sivula, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 488 623, [email protected] 
Pekka Lindroos, Special Adviser, tel. +358 295 488 327, [email protected]