Finland raises fees for processing immigration documents

Immigration to Finland will become more expensive or how the increase in fees will affect foreigners

The Finnish government has announced a significant increase in fees for various immigration documents, including residence permits (LPRs). This decision has caused serious concern among potential immigrants and international students planning to move to Suomi.

New immigration fees

According to the new rules, filing an electronic application for a residence permit will now cost 490 euros (about 48,000 rubles). For those who prefer to submit documents in paper form, the fee is even higher — 740 euros (about 73 000 rubles) for the initial application and 160 euros (about 16 000 rubles) for its extension. Separate fees have been set for students and startup entrepreneurs. University students must now pay 350 euros for an electronic application and 450 euros for a paper version. Start-up entrepreneurs will face similar costs: 350 euros for the online application and 480 euros for the paper version.

Complicated residence permit process

The process of obtaining a residence permit in Finland remains complicated and requires careful preparation of documents. Applicants must submit a completed application form, a copy of their passport and documents proving the purpose of their stay — employment contract, university enrollment letter, etc. It is also necessary to submit financial guarantees showing that there are sufficient funds for residence.

Impact on different immigrant groups

Experts note that the increase in fees can have a significant impact on different categories of foreigners entering the country. For students, especially those from low-income countries, the new fees can be a significant financial burden. Employees and entrepreneurs may also face additional difficulties when planning a move.

Reasons and justifications for the cost increase

Finnish Migration Service officials attribute the fee increase to the need to cover rising administrative costs and improve the quality of service to applicants. Critics argue that such a significant increase in the cost of the procedure may make Finland less attractive to talented professionals and students who would prefer countries with a more affordable immigration process.

Finland's continued attractiveness

Despite the increase in fees, Finland remains an attractive destination for many immigrants due to its high standard of living, quality education and well-developed social security system. Nevertheless, potential immigrants will now have to plan their budgets more carefully, taking into account the additional costs of applying for a residence permit.

Experts' recommendations on submitting documents

Experts recommend that applicants carefully study all the requirements and prepare a full package of necessary documents in advance to avoid resubmission of the application and additional costs. It is also advised to consider electronic submission of documents, which is cheaper and often processed faster.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that despite the increase in fees creating difficulties for some categories of immigrants, Finland continues to pursue a policy of openness and attracting international talent. The national government emphasizes that the changes in pricing are aimed at improving services and ensuring the sustainability of the national immigration system in the long term.