Finland now allows foreign workers in shortage occupations to switch jobs, employers

Foreign workers, such as Nigerian nationals working in high-demand professions in Finland, can now switch to another role if they lose their job, still enabling them to reside legally in Finland.

According to Finland’s Interior Ministry, this flexibility in changing jobs is to prevent staffing gaps in essential services and address acute labour shortages across several industries.

A report by Helsinki Times notes, “Foreign nationals working in Finland will soon be able to move more freely between jobs if they are employed in one of nine professions listed by the government as suffering from acute labour shortages. The decision marks a shift in how work-based residence permits function. Currently, such permits are tightly tied to a specific profession or even a specific employer”.

“Under the new policy, people with valid residence permits will be able to switch into these shortage occupations without needing to apply for a new one.”

Among the professions included are those that typically require specialised qualifications and licences such medical doctors, audiologists, speech therapists, nurses, dental hygienists; as well as metal processing operators, funeral service workers, and fire fighters.

Health and social care dominate the shortage list, but the inclusion of funeral services reflects shifting workforce demands. Labour shortages in emergency response units, particularly fire services, have also been recognised.

These fields have been identified based on employment data, regional workforce needs, and minimum thresholds for job vacancies.

The revised policy marks a significant shift in how work-based residence permits operate.

Traditionally, such permits have been strictly tied to specific professions or employers, restricting workers’ ability to seek new opportunities. However, under the new rules, individuals holding valid residence permits will be allowed to transition into nine designated shortage occupations without the need to apply for a fresh permit.

Officials have emphasised that ensuring sufficient personnel in critical sectors remains a priority.

According to the Interior Ministry, the designated shortage occupations were selected based on a combination of factors, including the availability of trained professionals and the number of vacancies. The list, which undergoes periodic review, excludes smaller professional groups that do not meet predefined criteria.

 Easier rules for non-EU workers

Previously, the Finnish Immigration Service would prioritise local and European Union (EU) job applicants for jobs, before granting work-based residence permits to people from outside the EU.

However, under the new policy, this requirement no longer applies to certain jobs where there are severe labour shortages, making it easier for non-EU workers to get hired in these roles.

At the same time, the government is making it harder for unemployed foreign workers to stay in Finland. New rules mean that those who lose their jobs must leave the country more quickly.

This change is part of a broader effort to reform immigration laws, focusing on bringing in workers for industries that consistently struggle with staffing while tightening controls in other areas. More changes to immigration rules are expected as Finland adjusts its policies to better support its economy.