The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) said it expects the number of work permit applications from foreign workers to increase significantly in 2026.
The agency predicted it would receive about 11,000 work-related residence permits this year, according to a press release issued Tuesday.
Then, it said that if the economy recovers as forecast, the number of employment-based residence permit applications will rise to around 15,000 in 2026 — or roughly the same number of applications it received in 2021.
Last November Migri reported a five percent drop in work-based residence permit applications during the first nine months of last year, with specialist work visa applications down 24 percent.
In its press release, Migri noted that the estimates include all first-time residence permit applications by workers, students and asylum seekers. It also includes applications from Ukrainians seeking temporary protection.
Students and refugees
The agency also said it expected continued "record-breaking growth" in the number of international students arriving in the country, with such applications reaching 15,000 this year and 16,000 in 2026.
The Immigration Service's development chief, Johannes Hirvelä, noted the impact that "more stringent rules" may have had on student immigration, including tuition fees for on-EU and non-EEA students.
"Finland has nevertheless remained an attractive country for students, as international students have an extensive right to work in Finland, they can also bring their families here, and while the tuition fees have increased, Finnish fees are not exceptionally high by international comparison. Students are currently arriving in Finland from South Asian countries, in particular, where such factors as the relatively high unemployment rate of higher education graduates drives emigration," Hirvelä said in the release.
Meanwhile, Migri estimated that between 2,000 and 3,000 asylum seekers would arrive this year.
"It is also expected that a steady stream of applicants for temporary protection will arrive from Ukraine this year. However, sudden changes in the situation in Ukraine or in the European Union's neighbouring regions may have a significant impact on the numbers of temporary protection and asylum applications," the agency's release read.
Migri said it plans to issue its next residence permit application forecast in June.
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