Finland: Relaxed Visa Requirements Introduced
January 12, 2023
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At a Glance
- The government of Finland has introduced or will soon introduce multiple changes which relax its regulations governing visas.
- These changes include the expansion of D visa eligibility, Fast Track eligibility for residence permits and D visas, and the use of the Finnish Incomes Register for certain extension applications to confirm a fair salary is being paid.
- The government expects these changes will reduce processing times and streamline immigration processes, which should help to attract skilled talent to Finland.
The situation
The government of Finland has introduced or will soon introduce multiple changes to its regulations governing visas.
A closer look
The changes include:
| CHANGE | DETAILS | IMPACT |
| Expansion of D visa eligibility |
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| Expansion of Fast Track eligibility for residence permits |
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| Expansion of Fast Track eligibility for D visas |
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| Finnish Incomes Register used for certain extension applications |
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Background
- Emphasis on attracting talent. These changes are intended to help the Finnish government attract talent, both students and employment-based, to the country through streamlined processes. These changes build upon those implemented a year ago when the D visa and Fast Track Service were initially introduced.
- D visas. National D visas, which have been introduced in many European countries, are based on the Schengen Convention and allow for a longer stay than the short-term Schengen visas.
Looking ahead
It is expected that the Fast Track for residence permits may be expanded to other categories of individuals in the near future and that there may be other, further relaxed immigration regulations. Fragomen will report on any related developments.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
