The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) forecasts that student and work-related migration will remain steady in 2025 and 2026, while asylum applications are expected to stay at moderate levels, according to updated figures released by the agency.<\/p>\n
The projections come from Migri\u2019s foresight network, a panel of experts that meets three times a year to evaluate migration trends alongside economic and geopolitical developments.<\/p>\n
Between January and October 2025, Finland received 11,839 student residence permit applications, a 5 percent decline from the same period in 2024. Johannes Hirvel\u00e4, Director of Information Services at Migri, attributed the drop to the introduction of a \u20ac100 application fee for non-EU and non-EEA applicants under the higher education joint application system, combined with Finland\u2019s full-cost tuition model for international students.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile the fee has slowed the growth previously seen, the total student applications for 2025 are still expected to reach between 13,000 and 14,000,\u201d Hirvel\u00e4 said. For 2026, the agency anticipates a similar volume, around 13,000 applications.<\/p>\n
Work-based migration experienced a sharper decline. First-time work permit applications fell 29 percent year-on-year, with 9,593 submitted between January and October 2025, returning numbers close to those seen in 2018. Hirvel\u00e4 linked the slowdown to weak economic conditions, including slow growth, higher unemployment, and global uncertainty.<\/p>\n
Migri forecasts approximately 11,000 applications for first work-based residence permits in 2025, with a possible range of 11,000 to 13,000 in 2026. The agency noted that the labor market typically responds gradually even if broader economic conditions improve.<\/p>\n
Asylum applications in Finland have also fallen. Between January and October 2025, 1,709 first-time applications were filed, representing a 15 percent decrease from the same period in 2024. Hirvel\u00e4 said the decline reflects administrative changes in Syria and stricter EU entry controls, though push factors such as conflict and political instability in origin countries remain strong.<\/p>\n
Across the EU, 399,000 asylum applications were recorded in the first half of 2025. Finland is expected to receive between 1,500 and 2,500 first asylum applications annually in both 2025 and 2026.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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