Finland increases minimum income limit for work permit extensions of foreign workers

Finland increased the minimum income limit for a residence permit for foreign workers to EUR 1,600 per month on 1 January 2025. Starting in April 2025, the limit will also apply to applications for an extended permit based on employment. The limit refers to the person’s gross salary, which means their salary before deducting taxes and other statutory contributions. 

Foreign workers have to apply for a residence permit if they are coming to Finland to work for a Finnish employer or another employer operating in Finland. A residence permit for an employed person is granted for the professional field to which your job belongs. You must have confirmed employment before you can apply for this permit.

Currently, the minimum income limit for an extended permit for an employed person, i.e., the minimum income requirement, is EUR 1,430 per month. From April 2025, your salary must be at least EUR 1,600 per month. If your salary is less than EUR 1,600 per month, you cannot receive an extended permit for an employed person.

If you have submitted an application for an extended permit for an employed person before 1 April 2025 but your application is still pending after 1 April 2025 and you do not meet the new minimum income limit, your employer may supplement the terms of employment in the application and increase your salary to at least EUR 1,600 per month.

You must have enough income in Finland for as long as your residence permit is valid. To receive an extended permit for an employed person, you must have a job in Finland and have sufficient income for as long as your residence permit is valid in Finland. 

Your total salary must be at least EUR 1,600 per month. The salary may consist of several employment relationships, but the sum does not include any bonus pay, such as evening, night work, Saturday or Sunday compensation. 

Your employer may pay part of your salary as a fringe benefit, such as a company car or housing benefit. The fringe benefits may not exceed 50% of the base salary. Fringe benefits are taken into account according to their taxable value. 

If your employer has obtained employer certification, you can apply for a D visa at the same time as you apply for a residence permit. The D visa allows you to travel to Finland immediately after you have been issued with a residence permit and a D visa sticker has been attached to your passport. Your spouse and children can also apply for a D visa if they are applying for a residence permit based on family ties. 

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You cannot start working before you get a residence permit for an employed person. You can only work in the professional field to which your job belongs and for which you have been granted a residence permit. You may have several jobs in the same professional field. 

Between 17 and 23 March 2025, 25.4% of the decisions on extended permits for employed persons have been issued within 14 days, 16.6% within 15–30 days and 17.1% within 31–60 days after the applicant has proved his or her identity. Positive decisions are issued within 51 days on average. 

Since the beginning of 2025, a total of 2,672 applications for an extended permit for an employed person have been submitted. So far in 2025, Finland has made a decision on 2,100 applications for an extended permit for an employed person. There have been 1,824 positive decisions.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/business/investing-abroad-finland-increases-minimum-income-limit-for-work-permit-extensions-of-foreign-workers-3800323/