The number of residence permits applications has been reduced in Finland in January-October period this year than the stipulated period of the previous year, said the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) in a press release on Monday.
The number of applications for a first work-based residence permit was 9,593 from January to October in 2025, which is about 29% lower than the first 10 months of the previous year.
The Migri updated its application volume forecasts where it estimated that the number of work-based first time application will be 11,000 in 2025 and 11,000–13,000 in 2026.
“The slow economic growth and the increase in unemployment in Finland in recent years together with the uncertainties regarding the global economy still explain the downward trend in the number of applications,” said Johannes Hirvelä, Director of Information Services of Migri.
The Director referring to the forecasts, said that the number of applications for a first work-based residence permit will remain at the current level in 2026.
“Even if the economy was to take an upward turn, the labour market would react to it with a delay, and demand for foreign labour typically recovers more slowly than the demand for domestic labour,” Hirvelä said.
Meanwhile, a total of 11,839 applications were submitted by students in January–October 2025, which is 5% less than in the corresponding period of last year.
According to the estimate, the number of applications will be 13,000–14,000 in 2025 and 13,000 in 2026.
“One of the probable reasons behind the stagnation of the rapid growth seen in recent years is the application fee of EUR 100 that was introduced in the joint application procedure concerning higher education at the beginning of 2025. It has decreased the number of non-EU and non-EEA citizens applying for a student place in higher education in Finland. The introduction of full costing of tuition fees is expected to decrease the number of international students, at least in the short term,” said Hirvelä.
Meanwhile, a total of 1,709 first asylum applications were submitted in the first 10 months of this year, which is 15% less than in the corresponding period of last year.
The Finnish Immigration Service estimated that in 2025 and 2026, a total of 1,500–2,500 first asylum applications will be submitted annually.
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Source: www.dailyfinland.fi
