Residence permits for foreign students in Finland are entering a new phase of oversight as the Finnish government moves to strengthen post-approval monitoring and tighten how international student permits are managed after they are granted.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has confirmed plans to introduce new legislation that would allow authorities to monitor foreign students more closely once their residence permits have already been granted. The proposal specifically targets students arriving from outside the EU and EEA.
According to the ministry, the aim is to prevent misuse of student residence permits and to ensure that permit holders continue to meet the financial conditions required for their stay in Finland.
Social assistance could trigger permit revocation
Under the proposed reform, a foreign student’s residence permit could be revoked if the student applies for and receives basic social assistance. This benefit, known in Finnish as toimeentulotuki, is intended as a last-resort form of financial support for individuals who cannot meet essential living costs such as rent or food.
Until now, receiving this benefit on a one-time basis has not automatically led to permit cancellation. However, the new proposal would mark a significant shift in how such cases are handled.
Authorities argue that students are expected to support themselves financially throughout their studies, as stated in the original conditions for granting residence permits.
Automated monitoring and data sharing between agencies
If the law is passed, the Finnish Immigration Service, also known as Migri, would gain direct access to information from Kela, Finland’s social insurance institution. This would allow automated post-decision monitoring to detect whether a student has applied for or received social assistance.
The ministry has stated that this monitoring would be conducted regularly and systematically, rather than on a case-by-case basis.
The purpose, according to officials, is not retroactive punishment but ongoing verification that students continue to meet permit requirements after arrival.
This builds on earlier policy tightening
This proposal is not an isolated move. It follows several earlier changes that have already made it more difficult for foreign students to maintain their legal status in Finland.
In late 2025, the government announced stricter minimum income thresholds for students, as well as tougher family reunification rules. Together, these measures reflect a broader policy trend toward reducing state responsibility for supporting international students financially.
Migri had already begun limited post-decision monitoring in September 2023. Between 2023 and 2025, authorities reviewed approximately 40,000 student residence permits. Around 300 of those students were found to have applied for basic social assistance.
At the time, these findings did not generally lead to permit revocation.
Growing international student population under scrutiny
Finland currently hosts about 76,000 foreign students. Many are drawn by English-taught degree programs, relatively low tuition fees compared to other Western countries, and a reputation for high-quality education.
However, the government has increasingly emphasized that international students must be financially independent and not rely on Finland’s welfare system.
Officials argue that stricter monitoring helps protect the integrity of the residence permit system and maintains public trust in immigration policies.
The proposal has been sent out for public consultation, with feedback accepted until 27 February through the Lausuntopalvelu.fi service.
According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, the government aims to submit the bill to parliament during the spring session. If approved, the legal changes could take effect soon after.
For international students already in Finland or planning to apply, the message is becoming clearer. Financial self-sufficiency is no longer just a requirement at the application stage. It is increasingly something authorities intend to verify throughout a student’s stay.
