“It is hard to live in uncertainty” – Ukrainians with temporary protection struggle to plan their future in Finland

The new legislation states that temporary permits cannot be converted to permanent ones. Ukrainians may apply for residence permits based on work or studies, though for many it would be hard to fulfill the requirements.

The vast majority of Ukrainians with temporary protection in the EU – women and children. PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK.

Nadiia Fedorova

Published 25.03.2025 4:20

Updated 25.03.2025 4:27

Starting March 2025, these permits will remain valid for the entire duration of the Finnish Government’s decision on temporary protection. Previously, the maximum period was three years. 

New amendments allow temporary protection to be extended for as long as necessary, depending on the situation in Ukraine. However, the legislation states that temporary permits cannot be converted into permanent.

Individuals who wish to settle in Finland more permanently can apply for residence permits on other grounds, such as work or studies.

Looking for options to stay in Finland

According to the Ministry of the Interior, there are currently around 45,000 Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection in Finland. As the war continues, many of them express a desire to stay—in 2023, more than 50 percent expressed this hope.

Maya Furtatova, a volunteer in the FinUA information support project, confirms that more Ukrainians are now asking about options to stay in Finland, including how to apply for a work visa or establish a business.

Maya herself is among those hoping to remain. Despite working in Finland since spring 2022, her short-term contracts do not qualify her for a residence permit based on employment. She is actively seeking more stable job opportunities that would allow her to secure a work visa.

“It is very hard to live in such a state of uncertainty; it drains your energy,” Maya shares. Her primary motivation for staying in Finland is her 16-year-old son, who has successfully integrated into a Finnish school and made new friends.

“I uprooted him from his environment when the full-scale invasion began. I don’t want him to go through that again.”

Maya’s family fled Mykolaiv, a city near the frontlines that has been heavily shelled by Russian forces. She believes that even with a peace treaty, the threat from Russia will persist.

Maya is confident that Finland can benefit from hardworking, highly educated Ukrainians. She hopes that the exit strategy for temporary protection will be flexible, taking individual circumstances such as employment, studies, and children into account.

Will it be possible to finish the studies?

Mariia Lebid, a student in a non-degree program at Aalto University, is among the Ukrainians uncertain about their future in Finland. Her program allows Ukrainian students to study at Finnish universities and transfer credits to institutions in Ukraine.

Mariia notes that universities have invited Ukrainian students to apply for bachelor’s and master’s programs in English. Currently, studies are free under the temporary protection status.

However, the situation could change if temporary protection ends. Mariia explains that university administrators cannot provide clear answers about the future. 

Students may need to apply for study-based residence permits, which would require them to pay tuition fees as international students and prove they have adequate financial resources. For long-term programs, this amounts to €9,600 annually, and for shorter programs, €800 per month.

According to Mariia, students are eager to enroll in degree programs but worry they might not be able to complete them.

No “plan B”

The situation is even more difficult for older Ukrainians. Vira Khokhlova, 58, and her husband, a pensioner, basically have no home to return to – their apartment in Kharkiv was severely damaged by the Russian shelling. 

Vira is currently learning Finnish through integration courses and considering whether to validate her teacher’s diploma or pursue a new profession. Both options would take approximately three years, Vira says. She fears she might not be able to finish if temporary protection ends.

“In this situation, when our future in Finland is unclear, it is very hard to make decisions,” Vira admits.

The woman is not sure she would be able to find a job after the training. Age adds to her concerns. “I see that even young Ukrainians struggle to find jobs in Finland.” However, Vira hopes for the opportunity to stay in Finland. “I don’t have any Plan B.” 

Evaluating different exit strategies

Tuuli Tuunanen, Chief Specialist of the Migration Department at the Ministry of the Interior, explained that the Ministry is monitoring the situation in Ukraine and evaluating various exit strategies for temporary protection.

Tuunanen stated that while it is theoretically possible for temporary protection to end before March 2026 if, for example, a peace agreement is reached, there are currently no signs to suggest this outcome.

“It is crucial for Finland that an exit strategy is developed at the European level,” Tuunanen emphasized. She noted that some exceptions to standard rules are under discussion, but did not provide specific details about the potential scenarios.

Tuunanen also clarified that residence time spent under temporary protection status is counted towards citizenship applications but only as half the actual duration.