Shape Up or Ship Out Doesn’t Attract International Talent

Even during an economic downturn, global professionals can help secure Finland’s long-term labour market needs. With an increasingly ageing population, falling birth rates, and a worsening dependency ratio, the working-age population is shrinking year by year. This trend will not reverse even if job openings temporarily decrease.

Recent immigration policy changes tied to employment send a message that clashes with Finland’s real needs. We are already lagging behind in the global talent competition. Our location in the north is not an advantage, and we cannot rely on English-language convenience like some competitor countries. Now, more than ever, we should be sending the message that Finland is a place worth coming to and worth staying in.

Why are we closing the door from future talent?

Despite the current economic slowdown, the demographic reality is clear. Finland will need more workers across multiple sectors in the coming years. The social and healthcare sectors, manufacturing, and service industries are already facing labour shortages that have been anticipated for a long time. Global talent is an obvious solution, yet their opportunities are being restricted.

A recent legal change now ties foreign employees’ residence permits to their employment status. If someone has been in Finland for less than two years and loses their job, they have three months to find new employment, or six months if they work in a specialist or managerial position. If they fail, their permit expires, and they must leave Finland, ending their life here almost overnight.

There have been positive reforms as well

There have been some positive steps. Employees can now change to another occupation on the official shortage list without applying for a new permit. These shortage occupations are defined annually, making it easier to re-enter the labour market, particularly for those already living and working in Finland.

However, many of these shortage-list jobs, especially in healthcare and social services, require licensing or special qualifications, which limit the practical flexibility for many workers.

Despite the improvements, the overall picture remains bleak. Tightening many policies at the same time undermines the benefits of these reforms. Global talent does not just need isolated relief. They need assurance that they can build a future in Finland.

It’s no surprise that, according to Yle’s research, the number of residence permit applications based on employment has fallen by almost one-third since 2022. The Finnish Chamber of Commerce has published a proposal for a Social Agreement on Immigration, calling for a long-term, predictable approach to labour immigration, with stable, clear rules rather than ever-changing criteria.

An employee is more than just a resource

Foreign workers do not come to Finland only for work. They come to build their lives, relationships, and futures here. As Yle’s article highlighted through workers’ voices, all of that can easily collapse if employment ends. Many feel that their lives are out of their own hands.

It is not reasonable to tie residency so strictly to a single job and a fixed timeframe. That is neither humane nor effective for creating a society where global talent wants to stay. Until now, one of Finland’s advantages has been the possibility of permanent residence. Now, however, we are telling newcomers they may have to leave even after the shortest period of unemployment.

I have had the privilege of working with many talented international professionals. They have brought expertise, fresh perspectives, and dedication to the workplace, all qualities that are highly valued. Many have settled in Finland and stayed, even when the journey was not easy. These experiences have strengthened my belief that Finland can be a great home, even for those not born here.

If we truly want global professionals to stay in Finland, we must ensure that Finland is a place where they can envision a future, not just their next shift at work.