Finland Proposes Welfare-Linked Revocation of International Student Residence Permits
China Southern Restores Direct Beijing–Helsinki Flights After Five-Year Hiatus
Deep Freeze Shuts Kittilä Airport, Strands Thousands of Lapland Tourists
Latest News
Emirates Confirms First-Ever Year-Round Dubai–Helsinki Route for October 2026
Emirates will begin daily Boeing 777 flights between Dubai and Helsinki on 1 October 2026, providing Finland’s first direct link to the Gulf hub. The route enhances trade and talent flows, competes with existing one-stop options, and gives mobility teams 20 months to integrate the service into travel programmes.
Finland proposes canceling non-EU student residence permits if recipients claim social assistance
A draft law released on 16 January would let Migri automatically cancel the residence permits of non-EU students who receive any basic social assistance. Real-time data sharing between Kela and Migri would flag violations, triggering deportation or a status change. Universities and business groups fear the proposal could deter much-needed talent, while the government insists it simply enforces self-support rules.
Foreign tourist overnights in Finland up 7 % in November—business travel rebound continues
Preliminary figures show overnight stays by foreign visitors rose seven percent in November 2025, outpacing a flat domestic market. The uptick, led by travellers from the UK, Germany and the US, signals robust leisure and corporate demand heading into the peak winter season, with Lapland hotels achieving record rates. Mobility planners should anticipate tight capacity and higher costs in northern Finland through Q1 2026.
Emirates announces year-round nonstop Dubai–Helsinki service from October 2026
Emirates will launch Finland’s first nonstop, year-round Dubai–Helsinki flight on 1 October 2026, giving Finnish businesses faster access to the Gulf and onward connections to Africa, Asia and Australia. The daily service is expected to boost high-yield tourism from GCC markets and improve freight options for exporters, though companies must still manage Schengen-visa requirements for Gulf nationals.
Finland among EU nations hit by proposed US tariffs in Greenland sovereignty row
President Trump has threatened 10-25 percent tariffs on eight EU states, including Finland, unless Denmark agrees to sell Greenland. The EU is preparing counter-measures, raising the risk of a transatlantic trade war that could indirectly affect business-travel budgets, visa processing and supply-chain costs for Finnish firms with US operations.