On 1 January 2025, Finland raised the minimum income threshold for a residence permit for foreign workers to €1,600 per month. From April 2025 onwards, this requirement will also be applicable when applying for an extension of the permit through continued employment. This specified amount pertains to the individual's gross salary—the sum received prior to tax deductions and mandatory contributions.
If foreign workers plan to work for a Finnish company or another entity based in Finland, they must apply for a residence permit. This permit, designed for employees, will be issued according to the specific sector of their profession. It’s important to note that one needs to secure a job offer beforehand to initiate the application process for this permit.
At present, the lowest income threshold for an extended work permit for an employee stands at €1,430 monthly. Starting from April 2025, this will increase to a required salary of at least €1,600 each month. Should your earnings fall below €1,600 per month after that date, you won’t qualify for an extended work permit as an employee.
If you applied for an extended work permit for an employee prior to 1 April 2025, and your request is unresolved as of 1 April 2025, without meeting the updated minimum earnings threshold, your employer might enhance the job conditions stated in the application and raise your wage to a minimum of €1,600 each month.
You need to ensure that you have adequate income in Finland throughout the duration of your residence permit. To qualify for an extension of your work-based residence permit, you must maintain employment in Finland and keep up this sufficient income level during the entire validity period of your permit.
Your combined monthly salary should be at least EUR 1,600. This can comprise multiple jobs, however, bonuses for working late shifts, nights, Saturdays, or Sundays do not count towards this amount.
Your employer might contribute to your compensation through non-monetary perks like a company vehicle or housing allowances. These additional benefits should not surpass half of your basic salary. The value of these perks will be considered based on what they would incur in taxes.
Should your employer possess an approved employer certification, you may simultaneously submit both your application for a D visa along with one for a residence permit. This particular D visa will enable you to enter Finland right away once your residence permit has been granted and the requisite visa sticker is affixed within your passport. Similarly, should your partner or dependents be filing their applications under familial grounds, they too would qualify for obtaining a D visa.
You're not allowed to begin work until you obtain a residence permit for employment. This permit restricts you to working solely within the specific profession for which it was issued. However, you can hold multiple positions within that particular field.
From 17 to 23 March 2025, 25.4% of the rulings concerning extended permits for workers were released within 14 days, 16.6% between 15 and 30 days, and 17.1% between 31 and 60 days following confirmation of an individual’s identification. Typically, favorable outcomes take around 51 days to be finalized on average.
From the start of 2025 until now, a total of 2,672 requests for extending permits for employees have been filed. As of yet in this year, Finland has reviewed 2,100 such extension applications, out of which 1,824 were approved positively.