Long-term D visa from June to expedite foreign labour entry

The government brought an amendment to the law on the introduction of a long-term national D visa in Finland with the view to promote labour migration and a fast track procedure for entry into the country.

The government on Thursday sent the amendment to the President for approval and the President is expected to approve the amendments on Friday. The new law will enter into force on 1 June, said the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in a press release.

In the first phase, a long-term visa can be issued to senior specialists, start-up entrepreneurs and their family members.

Finland aims to significantly increase the immigration of skilled labour. This is why the entry of those who come to Finland to work and study will be facilitated by reforming legislation.

In future, legislative amendments can be presented to expand the coverage of long-term visas to include also other groups of persons.

The Ministry of the Interior is preparing a government proposal on expanding the coverage of long-term visas to include researchers, students and their family members.

The introduction of long-term visas contributes to the implementation of the fast track plan for specialists, growth entrepreneurs and their family members.

The fast track refers to an expedited residence permit procedure. The fast track will be ready in June 2022 when the long-term visa is to be taken into use.

The long-term D visa supports the implementation of the 14-day fast track service pledge in that senior specialists or start-up entrepreneurs and their family members can travel to Finland immediately after they have been issued with a residence permit.

In other words, in future, they do not need to wait for a residence permit card abroad.