A customer at the entrance of the Finnish Immigration Service’s Helsinki service point. LEHTIKUVA
- Next Article Helsinki has political mandate to drive out far-right activists from libraries, says deputy mayor
As of 1 January 2025, the Finnish Immigration Service has taken full responsibility for processing residence permits for employed persons. This transition centralises employment permit matters under one authority, streamlining a process previously divided between the TE Office and the Immigration Service.
The change is part of a larger reform transferring employment and economic development services from the central government to municipalities.
It aims to simplify the application process and improve efficiency for both applicants and employers.
Streamlined processing for employment permits
Previously, the application process involved a two-phase system where the TE Office conducted initial assessments before forwarding cases to the Immigration Service. Now, the Finnish Immigration Service will handle all aspects of the process, including employment terms, employer obligations, income verification, and labour market testing.
Labour market testing ensures there are no suitable candidates within the Finnish, EU, or EEA labour market before approving permits for non-EU employees. Employers must also report the hiring of foreign nationals with valid residence permits, excluding EU citizens and their family members.
Reports must be submitted through the Enter Finland platform. This online service enables employers to track applications, provide necessary documents, and update information about new hires.
Temporary delays during transition
The transition has involved significant system updates and automation enhancements. Between 1 and 8 January, decision-making was briefly paused to implement these updates.
“The expected processing time for a positive decision will initially be two months but will soon return to the target of one month,” said Tuuli Huhtilainen, Process Owner at the Finnish Immigration Service.
The reform includes training for employees transferring from TE Offices to the Immigration Service to familiarise them with new tasks and systems.
Improved services for employers
Employers are encouraged to use the Enter Finland service to streamline their reporting and application processes. The Finnish Immigration Service has also introduced customer coordinators to assist employers who regularly hire foreign workers.
“We aim to improve services for employers and ensure a smoother application process,” Huhtilainen said.
HT
- Next Article Helsinki has political mandate to drive out far-right activists from libraries, says deputy mayor
Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
