Employer Immigration Services Finland
Finnish employers hiring foreign workers must navigate the Aliens Act, Migri processes, and compliance obligations. We provide full legal support for employers: work-based residence permit applications, participation statements, fast-track processing, EU Blue Card sponsorship, compliance audits, and representation in permit revocation or appeal cases. A&Co. Legal serves as your company's immigration counsel — in Finnish, English, and Spanish.
Legal services for Finnish companies and employers hiring foreign workers. We handle work-based residence permits, compliance, fast-track applications, and EU Blue Card sponsorship — from the employer's perspective.
What are the employer's obligations when hiring a foreign worker?
When hiring a non-EU worker, the employer must ensure: 1) the worker has a valid residence permit for work (or the application is pending), 2) the salary and conditions meet the applicable collective agreement (työehtosopimus) — this is the income requirement, 3) the employer has submitted a participation statement (osallistumisilmoitus) or the worker has applied for the permit based on an employment contract, and 4) the employer complies with reporting obligations if the employment ends. Failure to meet these obligations can result in permit revocation for the worker and administrative penalties for the employer. The 2025 amendments tightened employer compliance: employers must now notify Migri within a shorter timeframe if the employment ends, and the income requirement is strictly tied to the collective agreement. We help employers understand and meet all obligations proactively.
What is the fast-track process and when should employers use it?
The fast-track process (nopeutettu menettely) allows employers to hire foreign workers more quickly — the permit can be processed in as little as 7–14 days instead of the standard 1–4 months. To use the fast-track, the employer must: 1) have a certified employer status (sertifioitu työnantaja) — this requires a clean compliance record and pre-approval from Migri, 2) submit a partial decision (osapäätös) application through the Enter Finland system, and 3) ensure the worker applies for the residence permit simultaneously. The fast-track is ideal for urgent hires, especially in sectors with labor shortages (technology, healthcare, construction). However, the certified employer status requires ongoing compliance — any violation can revoke the status. We help employers obtain and maintain certified status and navigate the fast-track process efficiently.
What is the income requirement and how is it determined?
The income requirement (palkkavaatimus) means the worker's salary must meet the minimum set by the applicable collective agreement (työehtosopimus) for the position and hours. This is not a fixed number — it depends on the industry, job title, and whether the work is full-time or part-time. For example, if the collective agreement requires a minimum of 2,100 EUR/month for the position, the employment contract must guarantee at least that amount. Migri checks the income requirement at the time of decision — if the salary falls below the threshold, the permit is denied. The 2025 amendments clarified that housing benefits and certain allowances can be included in the income assessment, but only if specified in the collective agreement. We help employers structure employment contracts to meet the income requirement and avoid permit denials.
What is the EU Blue Card and when should employers use it?
The EU Blue Card is a special residence permit for highly qualified workers. It offers advantages over the standard work-based permit: faster family reunification, easier mobility within the EU after 12 months, and a path to permanent residence. To qualify, the worker must: 1) have a higher education qualification (university degree or equivalent, at least 5 years of relevant professional experience), and 2) be offered a salary meeting the EU Blue Card threshold (in 2026, approximately 1.5× the average gross annual salary in Finland, around 3,800–4,200 EUR/month). The EU Blue Card is ideal for hiring skilled professionals, engineers, IT specialists, and executives. We help employers determine whether the EU Blue Card or the standard work-based permit is the better route for each hire, and handle the application process end-to-end.
What happens if a worker's permit is revoked or an appeal is needed?
If Migri revokes a worker's residence permit (e.g., due to employment termination or compliance issues), the employer and worker have options: 1) the worker can appeal to the administrative court within 30 days, 2) if the worker finds new employment, a new permit application can be filed, and 3) the employer can support the appeal by providing evidence of continued employment or new job offers. As the employer's immigration counsel, we handle permit revocation responses, appeals, and new applications. We also represent employers in compliance audits and enforcement matters. If your company faces an audit or a worker's permit is at risk, contact us immediately — early intervention can prevent revocation and deportation.
How much do employer immigration services cost?
We offer flexible pricing for employers: 1) Per-case pricing for individual work permit applications (800–1,500 EUR per application, depending on complexity), 2) Retainer arrangements for companies with regular hiring needs (monthly fee covering a set number of applications and ongoing compliance support), 3) Compliance audit and certified employer status setup (1,500–3,000 EUR one-time), and 4) Appeal and revocation cases (1,500–4,000 EUR per case). We always provide a written cost estimate and scope before starting any work. For companies hiring multiple foreign workers per year, a retainer arrangement is typically the most cost-effective. Contact us to discuss your company's needs and get a tailored proposal.
Work-Based Residence Permit Finland
The employer's obligations are closely tied to the work-based residence permit process. See our Work-Based Residence Permit Finland page for the worker's perspective and the full permit process.
Learn about work-based residence permitsSources
- Aliens Act (301/2004) – Finlex (English translation)
- Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) – English
- Supreme Administrative Court (KHO) – decisions
- EU Return Directive (2008/115/EC) – EUR-Lex
Content reviewed by: Pezhman Ahmadi, OTM — Immigration Law
Updated: September 13, 2026
Hiring foreign workers in Finland?
We serve as your company's immigration counsel — from work permits to compliance and appeals. Contact us for a tailored proposal.