A Finnish Immigration Service service point in Helsinki. LEHTIKUVA
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The Finnish Immigration Service will launch automatic post-decision monitoring of worker residence permits on 20 January 2025. The system will verify whether permit holders continue to meet the conditions under which their permits were granted. The monitoring applies to initial worker residence permits issued from 1 January 2024 onward and to extended permits issued from 1 January 2023 onward.
A worker residence permit in Finland is granted to individuals employed by Finnish or Finland-based employers. The permit is tied to the specific occupational sector of the applicant’s employment, and applicants must secure a job in Finland before applying for the permit.
Post-decision monitoring focuses on essential permit conditions, including verifying that workers are paid according to the income requirements stipulated in their permits.
“We conduct post-decision monitoring to address potential misuse of residence permits. Through this process, we can revoke permits that no longer have a valid basis. The information we gather also helps us improve the permit application process,” said Miia Mattila, process owner in the Immigration Service’s monitoring department.
Automatic monitoring is already in place for residence permits for students, startup entrepreneurs, and specialists. Expanding this system to worker permits aligns with Finland’s action plan to combat labour exploitation.
“With this monitoring, we can identify and address cases of labour exploitation and human trafficking. We can guide victims to appropriate support systems, such as the assistance system for victims of human trafficking. If we observe concerning behaviour by an employer, we can consider this information in future permit decisions,” Mattila added.
The Immigration Service has been conducting post-decision monitoring since 2017.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
