Finland Automates Residence Permit Extension Process for Researchers

By Arbërie Shabani
March 26, 2025

In a significant move to support the research community, the Finnish Immigration Services has announced the implementation of an automated system for extending residence permits for researchers. This system went into effect on March 24, 2025, streamlining the application process and providing a faster, more efficient means for eligible researchers to extend their stay in Finland.

Automated Approval Process

According to a recent press release, the automated system allows researchers who meet specific criteria to have their residence permit applications automatically approved. The Finnish Immigration Services stated that only applications resulting in positive outcomes will qualify for automatic approval.

Researchers applying for an extension will benefit from this system, significantly reducing the time and effort required to process their permits. The eligibility criteria include:

• Applicants must be over 18 years old and have completed a master’s degree.
• Candidates should have an employment relationship with a Finnish research organization.
• Individuals who are not part of an EU mobility program while their permit is valid can also apply for automatic extension.

Additionally, researchers who submit their applications online or file them on or after March 19, 2025, will be considered for automated decisions, provided they meet all requirements stipulated for the residence permit.

Criteria for Automatic Extension

The Finnish Immigration Services outlined key factors that make applicants eligible for automatic extensions. To receive an automated decision, individuals must:

• Fulfill all specified requirements for the residence permit.
• Submit accurate application forms and necessary documentation without errors.

This automation aims to simplify the process for researchers, who are vital to the Finnish economy, particularly as the country faces a shortage of applicants for work permits.

Limitations on Automated Decisions

While the new system offers many benefits, there are certain circumstances under which automatic extensions will not be available. Applicants applying for a residence permit with family members cannot use the automated process. Furthermore, individuals with safety-related personal information that requires protection will also be excluded from automatic approval.

Additional cases that disqualify an applicant include those seeking international protection or those who have received a deportation decision from the Finnish government. In such instances, a specialist from the Finnish Immigration Services will manually process the application.

Addressing Labor Shortages

This streamlined process comes at a crucial time for Finland, which has reported a declining number of applicants for work permits. Authorities express concern that such reductions could lead to labor shortages in various occupations, threatening to slow economic recovery and growth.

By automating residence permit extensions for researchers, Finland is taking steps to ensure that it retains talent in the country, thus bolstering its research and development landscape.

As this new system takes root, it is expected to facilitate a smoother transition for researchers wishing to extend their stay in Finland, thus supporting the nation's objectives in innovation and academic growth.