FINLAND MOVES TO REVOKE STUDENT PERMITS AMID SOCIAL WELFARE CONCERNS
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By: Fasasi Hammad
Finland is considering tighter immigration rules that could lead to the cancellation of residence permits for non-EU students who receive basic social assistance from the state.
On January 16, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment opened a public consultation on a draft law proposing a system to automatically monitor whether foreign students are receiving benefits from Kela, Finland’s social insurance agency.
The proposed regulation targets students from outside the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) who hold study-based residence permits. Currently, these students are required to demonstrate that they can financially support themselves for the duration of their studies.
The draft law seeks to reinforce this requirement by introducing automated post-permit checks. Students found to have received basic social assistance—a last-resort benefit intended for essential needs such as food and housing—could have their residence permits revoked.
“Automated post-decision monitoring would be used regularly to determine whether a student receives social assistance,” the ministry said.
This proposal follows earlier government measures to tighten rules for international students, including raising income thresholds and imposing stricter conditions for family reunification. The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government programme, which seeks to limit immigration based on education.
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According to official data, between September 2023 and December 2025, the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) reviewed over 37,000 residence permits. In 333 cases, students had received basic social assistance, though none had their permits revoked because one-time payments did not previously justify cancellation. Under the proposed law, even a single instance of receiving assistance could trigger revocation.
Finland hosted around 76,000 international students last year, but the new rule would apply only to non-EU and non-EEA students.
The public consultation on the draft amendment is open until February 27. The government intends to submit the bill to parliament during the spring session, aiming for prompt implementation.
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