Finland | Automated monitoring for specialist residence permits implemented

Finnish authorities have introduced an automated post-decision monitoring system for specialist residence permits.

Key Points:

• The new system verifies whether the holder of a specialist residence permit still meets the requirements for the permit, including whether the salary meets the income threshold as well as maintaining work duties and education requirements.
• This post-decision monitoring initiative applies to all residence permits for a specialist that were issued on or after Jan. 1, 2023.

Additional Information: A specialist residence permit is granted to foreign nationals who work in expert duties that require specialized expertise in Finland. The requirements to qualify can be found here. A first residence permit for a specialist is granted for a maximum of two years. The permit is valid for the duration of the employment relationship even if the employment lasts for less than two years.

BAL Analysis: The Finnish Immigration Service has conducted post-decision monitoring since 2017, and automated post-decision monitoring is already being used to monitor the permits of students and startup entrepreneurs. The government hopes to expand the scope of this system to cover work-based residence permits to combat labor exploitation.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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