Specialists in Finland

Has your permanent residence permit been withdrawn recently? There have been reports of permanents residence permits being withdrawn retroactively based on subjective judgements made by Migri employees. We are currently gathering information regarding recent decisions by Migri concerning the cancellation or revocation of Permanent Residence Permits (PR) where actions appear to have been based primarily on suspicion rather than definitive findings. Our goal is to investigate these cases and engage with the relevant authorities to seek formal clarification and address procedural concerns. If you or someone you know has personally experienced the revocation of a permanent residence permit under similar circumstances, we encourage you to reach out to us. All information provided will be handled with strict confidentiality and used solely to inform our formal inquiries with the appropriate regulatory bodies. Please contact us via email at maxim.smirnov@specialists.fi Your contribution is vital in helping us promote transparency and fair treatment in administrative decisions.

Draft government proposal to reform regulations concerning foreign growth entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs https://www.lausuntopalvelu.fi/FI/Proposal/Participation?proposalId=f810dfe7-6a21-4a8c-b378-48c049f4ebc2 We have an opportunity to leave an opinion on this proposal till 8th of July. Feel free to leave your comments/opinions in the chat, I will aggregate and write them in the opinion section. We need to fill these fields: 1) Your opinion on the change to the entrepreneur's residence permit. 2) Your statement on the change to the growth entrepreneur residence permit. 3) Your other comments on the proposal.

Finland to introduce citizenship test. It will apply to all applications submitted on or after 1 March 2027 The test will cover topics such as key legislation governing life in Finnish society, fundamental and human rights, Finnish history and culture, as well as questions of equality, including equality between genders. You can take the test in Finnish or Swedish. https://migri.fi/en/-/finland-to-introduce-citizenship-test-as-changes-to-citizenship-act-take-effect-on-1-january-2027

Seems like Akava (the umbrella organization of unions like Tek, IL,…) is planning to propose a shorter path to permanent residency, and to make their case they need some experiences from those who got affected by the 3-6 month rule. Jutta Linna who works for Akava is asking for experiences on Linkedin, please reach out to her if you can help. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/juttalinna_i-need-you-i-am-calling-out-to-my-networks-share-7458464956703932416-xQ8B

Benefits and their effect on citizenship Application Point 1: based on new law, you should have NOT received benefits listed below, for longer than 3 months in total during the past 2 years. - labour market subsidy - basic unemployment allowance - earnings-related unemployment   allowance(i.e unemployment salary   from unemployment funds/unions) - kela social assistance - supplementary and preventive social assistance paid by a wellbeing services county. Point 2: The new law also considers the benefits which spouse received in the last 2 years. But ONLY if she/he receives "social assistance". So for example if the spouse received more than 3 months of "social assistance" it will affect main applicant application. But for example if the spouse received "unemployment salary" for more than 3 months, it doesn't affect the main applicant application. Point 3: What is Social Assistance? "Social Assistance" is THE name of a specific benefit paid by kela. https://www.kela.fi/social-assistance Ponit 4: Any other benefits than the exact ones listed above do not have any effect on the citizenship application(nor you nor your spouse). Those are for example: Housing allowance Child allowance Student allowance disability allowance

Welcome on Friday to Afterwork in English (with Finnish translations) with Green MP Inka Hopsu to bar Oiva Portahaninkatu 5 (Kallio, Helsinki). https://greensisu.fi/2026/02/06/sit-down-with-an-mp-after-work-suomeksi-and-in-english/

The amendments to the Citizenship Act will enter into force on 17 December 2025. We will process all applications submitted before 17 December 2025 in the Enter Finland online service or at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service in accordance with the old Citizenship Act. In other words, if you have submitted your application on 16 December 2025 at the latest, the amendments to the Citizenship Act will not affect your application. Your application will be processed under the old Act even if you are unable to prove your identity at a service point before the amendments enter into force. It is enough that you have submitted your application in Enter Finland on 16 December 2025 at the latest. If you have submitted your application in Enter Finland but are unable to book an appointment in the appointment system, you do not need to go to a service point and queue. Book an appointment later if the desired times are not yet available in the appointment system. For more information about booking an appointment, see the page Book an appointment at a service point in advance. https://migri.fi/en/-/are-you-applying-for-finnish-citizenship-before-the-legislative-amendments-enter-into-force-in-december-

New microdata based study on the financial total-cost benefit of immigration in Finland. https://www.theseus.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/899598/Puheenvuoro%2053_web.pdf?sequence=5&isAllowed=y From the abstract: > Individuals with a foreign-language background currently constitute roughly 10% of the Finnish population, yet account for only 5% of total income transfers, disproving the common assumption that immigration strains public finances > In 2023, foreign-language speakers collectively paid €2.7 billion in taxes while receiving €2.4 billion in income transfers, resulting in a net positive fiscal contribution of €225 million. In contrast, the native-language population exhibited a net fiscal deficit of around €5 billion. > In summary, the findings indicate that immigrants do not represent a financial burden to the Finnish welfare state. On the contrary, particularly when employed, they make a net positive contribution to public finances.

International Expert Advocacy Forum Tuesday 25.11.2025, 17:00–20:00 The forum is held in TEK's event spaces (Ratavartijankatu 2 A, 00520 Helsinki) and online. There will be time to both give your views and to hear from others, and food will be served at the live event. The event is for members of The Union of Professional Engineers in Finland or TEK. There are 50 spaces available for each union at the live event, with no limit online. The sign-up closes on Tuesday 18.11. at 23.45. https://www.lyyti.fi/reg/International_Expert_Advocacy_Forum_9916 ====== If someone from our community is a member of TEK or The Union of Professional Engineers - it's worth to participate in the event.

FAQ about Citizenship Act stage 2: See Migri's FAQ here: https://migri.fi/en/faq-finnish-citizenship#secondphase Q: I used a Kela benefit while living in Finland, does it affect my application? A: Only if you used either unemployment security or income support for more than 3 months in the two years prior to when the decision on your application is made. Q: what about compensatory benefits such as student benefit, child benefit, carer's benefit, home care allowance, parental leave, housing allowance etc? A: those are fine Q: what if it was 2 months and then 2 months again during a 2 year period A: that would affect your eligibility, until the 2 year windows had rolled over, such that only the recent two month period remained. Q: what about earnings related unemployment security (ansiopäivärahaa)? A: that counts as unemployment security, even if you were a member of a kassa Q: what if I am unemployed for more than 3 months in the last two years but I don't take unemployment security or income support for more than 3 months A: you wouldn't be disqualified, but you would still need to prove how you made a living during those months as before. Migri already considers that compensatory benefits like housing allowance or child benefit are not sufficient. However if you have savings or other investments which allowed you to live during that period, then you can use those as proof. Q: what if I worked a really long time (for example 5 years) and then got made redundant and haven't been able to find new work since due to the bad economy and I have taken unemployment security for more than 3 months in the past two years A: you can request that the requirement is waived - both Migri's statement and the government presentation anticipate this as a ground by which the requirement might be waived, but please note that there is no specific reference to it in the law, other than "circumstances beyond the applicant's control" and exemption requests are dealt with on a case by case basis. It will probably also extend the processing time by a while. Q: what if I met the criteria when I applied but don't meet it anymore by the time my case is processed? A: the exemption might apply in this case Q: when does this chance become effective? A: most likely December 1 2025 Q: what if I applied before then? A: There is a transitional provision, the old law applies to pending applications Q: but I saw a post on linkedin saying that it applies? A: that post is misinformation, ignore it Q: what if I apply after 1 December but I used unemployment security or income support for more than 3 months after the effective date but before I applied? A: then this change will likely affect your application

I vibecoded a small app for learning all kinds of Finnish cultural references, expressions etc. that you don't find from Finnish text books, but every finn knows: https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/c409e5a0-555e-43a8-8030-9d1de8401c81 It also shows the explanations, sources etc for the ones I found. Might help with language learning and understanding some cultural context. Hope you enjoy it! :)

I got an email from testaamo@tutkimustie.fi Hei! We are seeking participants to test Kela’s new website. The purpose of the study is to evaluate how understandable the English-language content is. We are looking for people whose native language is not Finnish, Swedish, or English. We especially welcome participants from diverse cultural backgrounds. The tests will be conducted in English. Some sessions will take place at Kela’s offices in Pitäjänmäki, Helsinki, and some remotely via Teams. On the application form, you can indicate which participation methods and schedules work best for you. As a reward, participants will receive a €50 GoGift gift card. Apply by filling in the application form. We will select a suitable group of participants and call those chosen. We are continuously looking for people to take part in interviews and to test the usability of the website in English. Feel free to share this opportunity with your friends as well! https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/F786837BF3F6C666 (If the link doesn´t work, copy it to the browser.)

OPEN INVITATION Hello! If someone it’s interested in joining our SDP international network, here’s an invitation for you! REMINDER: Invitation to SDP International Network General Meeting – 4th October 2025 Dear Participants, We are pleased to invite you to our general meeting taking place on: 📅 Date: Saturday, 4th October 2025 🕒 Time: 12:00 -14:00 📍 Location: SDP Party Office (Siltasaarenkatu 18 c, 00530, 6th floor) This meeting will be an opportunity to: ✅ Discuss key priorities and upcoming initiatives ✅ Meet the SDP International organization board ✅ Engage with members and share ideas Your participation is highly valued, and we look forward to your input in shaping the network’s next steps. Together, we can continue strengthening the SDP International and create a lasting impact. Our mission: SDP International strives to lower language barriers for political participation, celebrate diversity, and promote civil rights—all while encouraging collaboration and unity. Warm regards, SDP International

Non-EU students complete more credits and graduate faster than Finnish peers Third-country nationals in Finland earn more study credits per year and graduate faster than their Finnish counterparts, a recent VATT Institute for Economic Research report finds. According to VATT's Data Room report, in the 2023–2024 academic year, higher education students with a study-based residence permit earned a median of about 64 credits, compared with 54 for other students. https://yle.fi/a/74-20183645

Refka Elech Deputy Councillor, Vantaa City Council with Sdp Board Member, SDP International event Coordinator Expert in integration & relocation services What if foreigners in Finland decided to engage in civil disobedience? Imagine Finland for just one day without foreigners… Hospitals at a standstill, schools without teachers, public transport silent, factories shut down, shops empty, and airports paralyzed.... Imagine if all the hands that work quietly, all the minds that create and build, and all the hearts that pump life into this country, suddenly stopped functioning. This is not a dream nor a threat, but a harsh truth: foreigners in Finland are the invisible backbone, the silent force that keeps everything moving. And if they chose to raise their voices through civil disobedience for just one day, everyone would see that Finland cannot stand on one leg. We are not strangers in this country, nor guests at anyone’s table. We are partners in work, partners in giving, partners in building tomorrow. Yet too often we are treated as if we were disposable, as mere numbers in state registers. What if we all disappeared? What if foreigners turned their backs for a moment? What if our hands stopped working? Then you would realize the truth: This country is built by all of us, and it is strengthened by all of us. Those who discriminate against foreigners shoot themselves in the foot at the expense of their nation’s stability, economy, and daily life. Civil disobedience is not violence. It is the noblest human strength, a cry that declares: “We will not be silent in the face of racism. We will not submit. We will not disappear into the margins.” Finland now stands at a crossroads: Either it chooses the path of justice, dignity, and equality, or it risks losing an irreplaceable human and economic force. Our message is clear: If we disappear for a day, everyone will miss us. If we are truly present, the country is stronger. Let us say it out loud: We will no longer allow ourselves to be sidelined. We will no longer allow ourselves to be humiliated. We are here, permanently, and we are strong. Racist and hostile speech against foreigners must be opposed far more decisively. Should we keep waiting for laws that are never enforced, or is it time for a united popular movement against this rampant phenomenon directed at us? https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16hscWE4w5/

One of our members (Duc Ta - @ductm) made a website to help people learn Swedish vocabulary: https://svenska-sfi.web.app/ The word list is built based on Gimara, Duc's course notes, and other common Swedish words. Words are divided into categories for easier learning. The website is free for all and doesn't require an account. Let Duc know if there are issues with the website.

Finland's citizenship test will be multiple-choice, true-or-false Initial plans for the test to include a personal interview have largely been dropped, according to the interior ministry. "It needs to be an entity with the expertise needed to design such a test, as well as ensuring that the language proficiency needed to take the quiz does not exceed the level required for citizenship," Ulla Vainikka explained. https://yle.fi/a/74-20171739

We are happy to introduce Johanna Laurila ( @JohannaLVerde) from Verde Media to our discussion chat. Johanna is starting to run a project, Verde Voices, which is about promoting diversity in Finland through journalism, and covering news deserts among immigrant groups in Finland. We believe this is a good opportunity to increase visibility over big problems that our members face. And, by doing that, participate in resolving these problems. So feel free to send messages to @JohannaLVerde either in the chat, or DM.

We've been asked to comment on the Draft Government Decree on National Labour Shortage Sectors https://tem.fi/hanke?tunnus=TEM044:00/2025 The decree would be enacted pursuant to Section 72 c of the amended Aliens Act. The application of the decree would mean that the right to work associated with the residence permit of the holder of an employee's residence permit would be expanded to include the right to work in the labour shortage sector provided for in the decree. From brief reading, looks like they want to increase the rights of work resident permit holders. Particularly, they want to make it possible to switch jobs if the new job is one of 8 sectors experiencing shortages. I guess one thing we could do is to suggest to increase the list to include software developers. Here is the list of shortage jobs: 1) 2211 general practitioners; 2) 2212 chief physicians and specialists; 3) 2266 audiologists and speech therapists; 4) 3135 metal processing process operators; 5) 3221 nurses, etc.; 6) 3251 dental hygienists; 7) 5163 funeral service workers; 8) 5321 community nurses; 9) 5411 firefighters. There is one comment already from "Southwest Finland ELY, Working Life and Entrepreneurship Services Unit, Palmberg Vilppu": Although the method provides information on areas with labor shortages, it is not suitable for career changers if the areas involved include areas regulated by legislation that require certain education and/or work experience. The work permit guidelines are designed for new entrants to the Finnish labor market, and as such are not suitable for career changers already here. The deadline is the 26th of May. Let's discuss this in the comments.

Specialists in Finland pinned «🇫🇮 Last chance to vote. 40 minutes left 🕚 Where to vote: https://aanestyspaikat.fi/ Who to vote for: [HELSINKI] David Caceres #836 Ted Apter #225 Nick Walters #210 [ESPOO] Owain Hopeaketo #22 Bring your ID.»