The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has reported that it received just 9,593 first-time applications for work-based residence permits between January and October—29 percent fewer than the same period last year. If the trend holds, Migri expects only about 11,000 applications for the full year, down from more than 15,500 in 2024.
Officials attribute the decline to Finland’s weak GDP growth, rising unemployment and an uncertain global outlook that has cooled corporate hiring plans. The construction sector has been hit hardest, with applications from builders and welders falling by almost half. ICT roles—once Finland’s magnet for Indian and Nigerian talent—are also down 18 percent as start-ups delay scaling plans. International student applications slipped five percent after the government introduced a €100 handling fee and removed tuition caps for non-EU students.
![Work-Based Residence Permit Applications in Finland Plunge 29 % amid Sluggish Economy]()
Ironically, fewer filings have shortened queues: average processing time for specialist permits has dropped from 37 to 28 days and simple EU Blue Cards are now routinely issued in under three weeks. Migri says it will redeploy adjudicators this winter to clear a backlog of family-reunification cases—good news for employers waiting on spouses’ work rights.
For HR teams, the numbers signal a tighter foreign-talent pipeline in 2026. Companies may need to accelerate local recruiting or upgrade relocation packages to stay competitive. Start-ups relying on the new ‘Startup Permit’ route should expect extra scrutiny of funding and business plans, as Migri shifts resources to sectors with proven economic impact. Universities, meanwhile, are lobbying for fee waivers tied to employment contracts to keep master’s students from choosing Sweden or Germany instead.
Policy-wise, the figures strengthen the ruling coalition’s argument that stricter citizenship and benefits rules will not deter “needed skills” but will curb what it calls “welfare-driven immigration”. Opposition parties dispute that narrative, warning that Finland risks losing its edge just as demographic decline accelerates.
Officials attribute the decline to Finland’s weak GDP growth, rising unemployment and an uncertain global outlook that has cooled corporate hiring plans. The construction sector has been hit hardest, with applications from builders and welders falling by almost half. ICT roles—once Finland’s magnet for Indian and Nigerian talent—are also down 18 percent as start-ups delay scaling plans. International student applications slipped five percent after the government introduced a €100 handling fee and removed tuition caps for non-EU students.
Ironically, fewer filings have shortened queues: average processing time for specialist permits has dropped from 37 to 28 days and simple EU Blue Cards are now routinely issued in under three weeks. Migri says it will redeploy adjudicators this winter to clear a backlog of family-reunification cases—good news for employers waiting on spouses’ work rights.
For HR teams, the numbers signal a tighter foreign-talent pipeline in 2026. Companies may need to accelerate local recruiting or upgrade relocation packages to stay competitive. Start-ups relying on the new ‘Startup Permit’ route should expect extra scrutiny of funding and business plans, as Migri shifts resources to sectors with proven economic impact. Universities, meanwhile, are lobbying for fee waivers tied to employment contracts to keep master’s students from choosing Sweden or Germany instead.
Policy-wise, the figures strengthen the ruling coalition’s argument that stricter citizenship and benefits rules will not deter “needed skills” but will curb what it calls “welfare-driven immigration”. Opposition parties dispute that narrative, warning that Finland risks losing its edge just as demographic decline accelerates.
