Proposal for hiking income limit for residence permit sent out for comments

The government proposal on hiking income limit for residence permits for employed persons was sent out for comments on Wednesday, said the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in a press release.

The proposal to hike the income limit requirement from the existing 1331 euros to 1600 euros to get a Finnish residence permit on basis of employment proposal will be circulated for comments until January 31, 2024.

Following the consultation round, the preparation of legislation will continue at the Ministry. The proposal would be submitted to Parliament during the spring session 2024 and the changes would enter into force during 2024.

In future, the income limit for the residence permit for employed persons would be laid down by government decree.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is currently preparing a report on the impacts and appropriate level of income limits for work-related permits.

The results of the report, which will be completed in early 2024, may be used to set potential income limits going forward.

Earlier in September, the right-wing four-party alliance government has started the initiative to hike the income limit requirement.

The Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) led alliance government took the moves amid protests across the country.

On August 25, several hundreds of people went on demonstrations in Helsinki in protest at the move of the four-party alliance right wing government of tightening the immigration policy.

Separate demonstrations were also held in Helsinki on June 27 and June 18 protesting against the immigration policy taken by the government.

Earlier on June 16, leaders of the four parties announced the programme, which included tougher immigration, residence and citizenship laws.

Three other components of the alliance government are radical rightist Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party), Suomenruotsalainenkansanpuolue (Swedish People’s Party of Finland-RKP) and SuomenKristillisdemokraatit (Christian Democrats of Finland-CD).