06
Feb 2025
In 2024, Finland saw a 45% drop in asylum applications compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, more people applied for study visas, showing a shift in migration trends due to economic struggles and global tensions.
Decline in asylum applications
The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) received 2,948 asylum applications in 2024, down from 5,372 in 2023. The drop came after Finland closed its eastern border in 2023 to stop migration influenced by Russia.
“The number of asylum applications has remained moderate despite conflicts and crises and has nearly halved compared with the year before,” said Ilkka Haahtela, Director General of Migri.
Most asylum seekers came from Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Nigeria. Fewer arrivals were partly due to a drop in migration through Russia, which had brought in 1,300 asylum seekers in 2023 and 2024.
Increase in temporary protection applications
Asylum applications dropped, but requests for temporary protection stayed high. Finland received 12,617 requests, mostly from Ukrainian refugees.
However, fewer Ukrainians sought refuge in Finland compared to previous years.
(Image courtesy of Quang Nguyen Vinh via Pexels)
Work, study-based migration trends
Finland saw shifts in migration trends. Work-based residence permit applications fell by 12%, with 15,024 people applying for their first permit. The decline was due to economic struggles and fewer job opportunities.
Still, Finland remained a key destination for migrant workers. Most applicants came from Thailand, the Philippines, India, China, and Vietnam. Seasonal work, especially berry picking, continued to draw Thai workers, with about 1,300 arriving on short-term permits.
Meanwhile, study-based residence permit applications hit a record 14,163 in 2024. This rise followed 2022 law changes that made Finland more appealing to international students and researchers. Most applicants came from South Asia, mainly Bangladesh and Nepal.
Family reunification, residence permit monitoring
Family-based migration also increased in 2024.
Finland received 23,701 residence permit applications from family members of workers and students, a 10% rise from the previous year. Most applicants came from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
Migri strengthened its oversight of residence permit holders to enforce immigration rules. In 2024, it revoked more than 500 permits through its post-decision monitoring system.
(Image courtesy of kieferpix via iStock)
Increase in deportation, voluntary returns
Immigration enforcement also tightened in 2024. Voluntary returns increased by 73%, with 313 people choosing to leave Finland. Most returned to Russia, Iraq, and Georgia.
Deportations also rose by 64%, with authorities issuing 1,965 removal orders. Russian, Iraqi, and Turkish citizens were the most affected.
“Immigration processes in Finland must be seamless and maintain national security. While we promote ethical and sustainable work-based migration, we will also ensure that people who do not meet the requirements for staying in Finland will leave the country,” said Haahtela.
Shifting migration trends on travelers
Finland’s shifting asylum trends reflect stricter immigration controls across the European Union (EU).
In 2026, the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) will tighten entry rules for visa-exempt travelers. This system will screen visitors before they arrive, strengthening border security amid concerns about irregular migration.
Finland’s tougher asylum policies align with broader EU efforts to manage entry routes. The drop in work-based migration applications may be linked to economic uncertainty, making it harder for migrants to get residence permits.
Meanwhile, the record rise in student visa applications shows that education remains a growing pathway to the EU.
(Image courtesy of shironosov via iStock)
Policy adjustments in response to shift
Finland’s asylum and migration policies may shape EU immigration rules. Other countries facing similar challenges could adopt stricter border controls and closer scrutiny of work-based migration.
As the EU updates asylum regulations and strengthens border cooperation, Finland’s approach could serve as a model for balancing migration control with humanitarian commitments.
The drop in asylum seekers also raises concerns about the future of the EU’s asylum system. If migration from Russia remains a tool for political pressure, policymakers may push for a coordinated EU response.
Finland’s rising deportation numbers reflect a broader European focus on enforcing immigration laws, tightening screening, and increasing returns.
Outlook for 2025
Migri estimates that Finland will receive 3,000 to 4,000 asylum applications in 2025. Study visa applications are expected to keep rising, while work-based immigration remains uncertain due to economic changes.
As migration patterns shift and immigration policies face more scrutiny, Finland is adjusting its approach to meet economic needs, uphold humanitarian duties, and ensure national security.