The Finnish government has relaxed its residence rules for international students and researchers who are studying and working in Finland.

Key Points:

  • As of April 15, international students can now receive residence permits for the duration of their entire education. Previously, authorities required students to apply for a permit extension every year of their education.
  • Foreign students and researchers are now eligible for a two-year residence permit to find work after graduation if they have an income of at least 560 euros per month or 6,720 euros per year.
    • Eligible individuals can submit an application for the two-year residence permit up to five years from their graduation date even if they are no longer residing in Finland.
  • Authorities increased the amount students and researchers can work from an average of 25 hours per week to 30 hours.

Additional Information: Family members of students and researchers are eligible to receive residence permits. More information regarding the relaxed rules for international students is available here.

BAL Analysis: Finnish authorities relaxed residence rules for international students and researchers to make it easier for students to stay in the country after graduating.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Finnish government has changed posted worker reporting requirements.

Key Points:

  • As of Oct. 1, employers are required to submit a posted worker report by completing this electronic form.
    • The report must be submitted before the official start-day as indicated in the employee’s contract.
  • As of Oct. 1, employee-specific information must be provided within the posted worker report including the employee’s:
    • Full name.
    • Personal identification number in their country of citizenship.
    • Tax identification number in their country of residence.
    • Start and end date of employment.
    • Employment location(s).

Additional Information: Posted worker reporting is not necessary for employees who are transferred within the company for five days or less unless they are in the construction industry. If the employee is working in the construction industry, employers must also include a Finnish tax identification number in the posted worker report.

BAL Analysis: Employers should ensure that they have their employees’ required information when filling out the electronic posted worker report.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Finnish government recently announced it would ease COVID-19 travel restrictions.

Key Points:

  • Beginning July 26, fully vaccinated travelers from any country who can prove they have received all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by the Finnish government will be allowed to enter the country.
    • Travelers from EU or Schengen area countries who hold a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 may enter the country.
    • Travelers who show proof of vaccination or recovery will not be subject to additional health protocols upon arrival.
  • On July 19, officials lifted entry restrictions for Canadian citizens traveling to the country and reinstated restrictions for Israel citizens.
  • More information on travel restrictions when entering and exiting Finland can be found here.

Additional Information: Officials have increased operating hours at border crossings along the Finnish-Norwegian border from 12 hours a day to 24 hours a day.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – HIGH

The Finland Immigration Service has published updated information on how British citizens can apply for residence under the Brexit withdrawal agreement. British citizens considered residents in Finland before Dec. 31, 2020, must apply for residency between Oct. 1 and Sept. 30, 2021, in order to stay in the country.

Key Points:

  • British citizens who are applying for residency for themselves or a child who is a British citizen and have already registered for right of residence but do not yet meet the requirements for a right of permanent residence must use this form.
  • British citizens who arrived in Finland for the first time between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 and meet the requirements for right of residence, and want to continue to reside in Finland after the transitional period ends must also use this form.
  • British citizens who have legally resided in Finland for an uninterrupted period of five years but do not have a certificate of the right of permanent residence as an EU citizen can apply for a right of permanent residence under the withdrawal agreement. The applicants should use this form.
  • British citizens who have a certificate of EU citizen’s right of permanent residence issued before Jan. 1, 2021, can apply for changing the residence status into a right of permanent residence under the withdrawal agreement. The application is free of charge. The applicants should use this form.
  • British citizens who have registered for residency in Finland but are temporarily residing abroad can apply for right of residence while abroad. These individuals should submit an application at a Finnish embassy or consulate.
  • Individuals who arrive in Finland for the first time after the Brexit transitional period ends on Dec. 31 cannot apply for a right of residence under the withdrawal agreement. They must apply for a residence permit as other persons coming from non-EU countries.

Background: The U.K. left European Union in January, and the Brexit transition period ends on Dec. 31, 2020. The Finnish Immigration Service has published instructions for booking an appointment for submitting the Brexit application, available here.

Analysis & Comments: Employers should ensure that employees who are British citizens and want to remain in Finland are encouraged to work with Deloitte to ensure employees meet the deadline for applying for residence.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Finnish Immigration Service has returned to normal operations months after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The service is now offering in-person immigration appointments with and without appointments.

Key Points:

  • Applicants seeking in-person appointments with urgent issues can visit a service center without a pre-scheduled appointment and wait in line.
  • Individuals with non-urgent issues can submit their applications through the Enter Finland website or by visiting a service center with an appointment.
  • Applications submitted by mail or email after Sept. 1 will not be accepted. Mail applications submitted after Sept. 1 will be returned to the applicant. Individuals who submitted email and mail applications before Sept. 1 do not need to schedule an appointment or wait in line at the service center. They will be contacted by the Finnish Immigration Service.
  • The International House Helsinki, which handles EU registrations, has reopened and is now making appointments.

Background: Finland began limiting in-person appointments in March. Information on new health measures that are in place during in-person appointments is available here.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

 

IMPACT – HIGH

Finland has extended the deadline for residence permit applicants who need to prove their identity at a Finnish consulate or service point in order to have their permit processed.

Key Points:

  • Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, applicants for Finnish residency, registration of right of residence or citizenship will have until Dec. 31 to complete an in-person identity appointment at a Finnish embassy, consulate or service center. Normally, such appointments must be completed within three months of submitting an online application.
  • The in-person appointment is mandatory for the application to be processed. Applicants have their fingerprints taken and documents verified during the appointment.
  • Applicants who are in Finland can apply for an extended residence permit and may be able to avoid an in-person appointment by using “strong identification” in the Enter Finland online service. More information is available here.
  • There is currently a shortage of available in-person appointments at Finnish Immigration service points in the service’s online appointment system. Applicants can monitor the situation here.

Background: According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, reception activities for residence permit applications have gradually resumed since June 16. The extension marks the third time since the beginning of the pandemic that authorities have extended the deadline for identity appointments. It was initially extended to August 31, and again until Oct. 31.

Analysis & Comments: The extension should provide relief for applicants who have been unable to book an appointment to complete their application process. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

The Finnish Immigration Service has announced that it will consider granting residence permit extensions to those who do not meet the minimum income level, depending on the circumstances. The exception to the income requirement is not automatic for all residence permit extensions submitted this year; each case is considered individually.

Key Points:

  • The lower income must be due to the coronavirus pandemic.
  • In general, some proof of the exceptional circumstances from the employer is required.
  • The decrease in income is considered temporary if it lasts for no more than six months.
  • The exception will be in force until Dec. 31.
  • If an exception to the income requirement is made, an extended permit is granted only for one year.

Background: Most residence permits have an income requirement, which means that residents must have sufficient funds to live in Finland throughout the entire period of the residence permit’s validity.

Additional information: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.

IMPACT – HIGH

The Finnish Immigration Authority has extended the deadline for residence permit applicants to complete their in-person identification visit.

Key Points:

Applicants must normally visit a Finnish mission to identify themselves within three months of the date they submit their application via Enter Finland. The time limit for identification has been extended as follows:

  • Those applying for a residence permit abroad who have not been able to visit their local Finnish mission for identification now have until October 31, 2020 to do so.
  • Those applying a residence permit in Finland have until Oct. 31 to visit the Finnish Immigration Authority’s service point for identification.
  • Applicants should book an appointment to identify themselves at their local Finnish mission as soon as the Ministry for Foreign Affairs lifts the restrictions. Applicants currently in Finland can book an appointment at the Finnish Immigration Authority’s service point via the authority’s appointment system. New appointments become available all the time.

Additional information: Residence permit applicants are advised to check the MFA website for updates. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication.

IMPACT – HIGH

Finland has extended the deadline for residence permit applicants who need to prove their identity at a Finish consulate in order to have their permit processed.

Key points:

  • The time limit for proving identities, a required part of the resident permit application process, has been extended to August 31, 2020 for individuals who are abroad and cannot undertake the normal process because of COVID-19.
  • The new time limit is subject to change, depending on what happens during this emergency period.
  • Once emergency conditions are lifted, individuals will be able to begin booking appointments to prove their identities. Such announcements can be found on these sites: Ministry for Foreign Affairs and customer bulletins.
  • Those interested in canceling a residence permit application can do so at the following website: migri.fi/en/cancelling-an-application.

Additional information: Under normal circumstances, resident permit applicants abroad are required to go to a Finnish mission within three months of applying for their permit to prove their identities. Because of COVID-19, these missions are temporarily no longer processing new applications. Individuals can submit resident permit applications online via Enter Finland, which is provided by the Finnish Immigration Service. Application processing begins after the applicant has proven her or his identity. Pending resident permit applications are still being processed.

Analysis & Comments: The new time limit extension will allow resident permit applicants abroad more time to prove their identities in order to complete their resident permit applications. While this is good news, applicants should note that their permits will not be processed until they can complete this step of the application process. Employers may need to adjust schedules because delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – HIGH

The Finnish Immigration Service has announced that in-person services will be limited to those with an appointment.

Key Points:

  • As of March 23, foreign nationals must obtain an appointment and queuing number for in-person residence permit application-related services.
  • Finnish Immigration is booking appointments for residence permit identity verification for applications submitted on or after March 23. Applicants who have already booked appointments may complete them as normal.
  • Those who are unable to submit their application online can submit a paper version in one of three ways: in-person with an appointment; via email asiakaspalvelu@migri.fi; via post to Finnish Immigration Service, PO Box 10, 00086 Maahanmuuttovirasto.

Additional information: Those submitting a paper application can pay the processing fee the bank account of Immigration Finland.

Analysis & Comments: Employers should take possible residence permit processing delays into consideration. The response to COVID-19 continues to develop and updates will be provided as information becomes available.

Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Global Travel Impact Matrix, available here, for information on travel restrictions in other countries and territories.

Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.