Beginning on June 11, 2025, Finland will launch a significant adjustment to its immigration guidelines, providing international workers with greater freedom to change employment without unnecessary bureaucracy.
Under the new laws, individuals holding a work-based residence permit will no longer be limited to the profession associated initially with their permit. Instead, they will be permitted to take up jobs in any officially designated profession experiencing a labor shortage without requiring an application for a new residence permit.
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What Is Modifying
Present law: If a residence permit holder wishes to change professions, they must apply for a new residence permit related to the new employment title or occupation.
The new law (effective June 11, 2025): Residence permit holders will be permitted to change professions listed under Finland’s shortage profession list without the requirement for a new permit.
Reasons Finland Is Making This Change
Finland is facing a growing labor shortage in major industries, particularly in healthcare, social care, and public security. By easing job limitations, the Finnihs authority intends to:
- Utilize the skills of international employees effectively within the nation.
- Hasten employment in understaffed industries.
- Decrease administrative stress on immigration services.
This policy adjustment also aligns well with Finland’s long-term strategy to attract and retain foreign skills.
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Period And Check Of Occupation List
The current professional shortage list will take effect on June 11, 2025, and will remain in effect for 12 months. After this period, the list will be reviewed and updated per current labor market demands. The authorities have declared that the list will be checked and updated, with occasional modifications to be made in early 2026. This permits the authority to respond adjustably to alterations in the employment market and economic demands.
List Of Shortage Occupations (Starting June 11, 2025)
Below is the formal list of shortage positions where residence permit holders will be permitted to get employed without making an application for a new permit:
- Nurses (General and professional) – 2221, 2222
- Doctors (general practitioners and experts) – 2211, 2212
- Dentists – 2261
- Pharmacists – 2262
- Practical nurses and certified caregivers – 5321
- Physiotherapists – 2264
- Occupational therapists – 2269
- Radiographers – 2265
- Midwives – 2230
- Social workers – 2635
- Elderly care employees – 5329
- Childcare employees/ Kindergarten aides – 5311
- paramedics/emergency medical technicians – 3258
- Firefighters – 5411
Note: This list is subject to modification in response to federal labor requests.
What This Implies For Residence Permit Holders
This modification provides so many significant advantages for existing residence permit holders:
- Improved occupational adjustability: No longer bound to a single occupation, individuals can now explore new prospects in thriving industries.
- Decreased bureaucracy: The elimination of the need for a new residence permit request saves time, effort, and potential expenses.
- Contribution to the Finnish Community: By holding essential positions, expats will play a more direct role in supporting Finland’s economy and public services.
- Enhanced employment safety: If a person’s present job is halted, they have a more transparent route to discovering new jobs within recognized shortage fields, prospectively mitigating the threat of permit revocation.
It is crucial to understand that new laws also introduce a three-month employment search duration for some individuals and six months for experts after unemployment before a permit may be withdrawn.
What Residence Permit Holders Should Do
If you are a residence permit holder in Finland:
- There is no point in applying for a new permit if you intend to change to any employment on the shortages list after June 11, 2025.
- Monitor official updates in early 2026, when the list may be revised.
- As a residence permit holder, it’s essential to ensure your employer complies with all lawful and contractual requirements. This includes providing a safe and fair working environment, adhering to the terms of your employment contract, and supporting your transition if you decide to change professions within the shortage list.
This policy modification highlights a positive stage for international employees and Finnish employers. It provides greater employment mobility for migrants, who are already contributing to the Finnish economy and helps fill immediate labor openings in key services. The new law not only simplifies the process of changing professions but also enhances employment safety and contributes to the well-being of the Finnish community.
