Govt moves to cancel students´ residence permit, if take social support

The four-party alliance government led by Kansallinen Kokoomus (National Coalition Party-NCP) moved to amend respective laws with the provision for cancelling residence permits of the students from outside of the European Union and European Economic Area, who will receive social assistance.

The government on Thursday submitted its proposal to Parliament in this regards, said the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment in a press release.

The two legislative packages will address the income difficulties faced by international students. The first would strengthen the monitoring of students’ use of social assistance.

In future, a residence permit of a foreign student could be cancelled more easily, if the student resorted to social assistance in Finland. As is the case now, an overall consideration would be carried out before the permit was cancelled.

“The majority of international students in Finland are doing well and able to make ends meet, as is required by their residence permit. However, we must make sure that students do not end up in a vulnerable position and that they meet the conditions of their residence permit,” said Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen in the press release.

Resorting to social assistance may indicate income challenges, in which case cancelling the permit may, under the current rules, be considered.

In future, however, receiving social assistance would be a specific ground for cancelling the permit. In other words, drawing social assistance even once would, as a rule, lead to permit cancellation.

The change would apply to students in higher education and upper secondary education from outside the EU and EEA countries.

The change would enter into force in autumn 2026.

In addition to this proposal, the government is preparing a second legislative package to prevent international students from ending up in a vulnerable position and income difficulties.

Going forward, the family of a student would be able to apply for a residence permit in Finland only after the student has been in Finland for one year.

In this way, the student would have a realistic idea of the income level required for living in Finland in advance.

The income requirement for students would be clarified and provisions on the required income in euros would be laid down in an act and decree.

Earlier in January 2026, the government has taken an initiative to enhance post-decision monitoring of study-based residence permit to check whether international students receive social assistance.

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In January 2025, the government has proposed stiffen criteria for getting permanent residence permit in Finland.

The government in early March, 2024 took the initiative to stiffen the criteria for getting permanent residence permit in Finland.

In July 2024, the parliament passed the government proposal to bring legislative amendments extending the period of residence required for Finnish citizenship to eight years from five years.

On June 16, 2023, leaders of the ruling parties announced the programme, which included tougher immigration, residence and citizenship laws.

The government tightened the immigration policy despite strong protest by different groups.

Separate demonstrations were held in Helsinki on June 27, 2023 and June 18,2023 protesting against the immigration policy taken by the government.

Several hundreds of people went on demonstrations in Helsinki in August, 2023 protesting against the move.