The Finnish Government has put forward a bill that would allow immigration authorities to withdraw – or refuse to renew – the residence permit of a third-country student who receives basic social assistance from Kela, the national social-insurance agency. Under the proposal, the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) would use data feeds from Kela to flag recipients and initiate an automated review. The change targets students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland and could enter into force in October – November 2026 if Parliament approves it. Policy-makers argue that the reform will protect the integrity of Finland’s study-migration system by ensuring that international students can genuinely support themselves. According to the government’s impact assessment, only 333 of more than 37 000 international students drew social assistance during the first year of post-decision monitoring, but officials say the symbolic effect matters for public confidence in the immigration system. For universities and corporate sponsors the signal is clear: scholarship or salary packages must cover the statutory maintenance requirement throughout a student’s stay. Mobility managers should review funding letters and budgeting tools now, as a single lapse into social assistance could jeopardise an employee’s or intern’s Finnish status once the law takes effect. Practically, employers should remind trainees that Migri already checks income when issuing extended permits; the new rule merely accelerates possible revocation. Advisers also note that students who lose their permits would simultaneously forfeit residence-based Kela benefits, creating a strong deterrent. For companies, that could mean a shorter window to find alternative roles or launch intra-EU transfers for affected graduates.
Source: Kela
