They came to stay, then the rules changed – New policy forces international students to rethink their future
Universities of Applied Sciences in Finland work closely with local companies and municipalities. This cooperation makes them an important pathway into working life in many regions. PHOTO: SERCAN ALKAN.
Hassan Morsy
Published 04.03.2026 at 3:53
Updated 04.03.2026 at 4:21
Finland has amended its immigration laws in a way that puts international students at universities and universities of applied sciences in an unequal position.
Starting from January 8, 2026, a new degree-based pathway for permanent residency was introduced – with no fixed residence period required. Instead, eligibility depends on meeting specific conditions, including Finnish language skills at a A2 level or the completion of at least 15 ECTS of Finnish language studies.
However, the reform includes a clear limitation: the pathway applies to university bachelor’s degrees and higher degrees, but it doesn’t apply to bachelor’s degrees from universities of applied sciences (UAS).
The reform, therefore, has a dual impact on UAS bachelor graduates. Not only are they excluded from the new degree-based permanent residence pathway, but they are simultaneously subject to the extended general requirement of six years of continuous residence, combined with language proficiency and stable employment during the last two years.
UAS graduates may now face a longer and stricter route to permanent residence, replacing the previous four-year threshold that applied before January 2026.
“I assumed all Finnish bachelor’s degrees were treated equally”
According to the statistics of the Finnish National Agency for Education, more than 15,000 international students are enrolled in a Finnish UAS. The change has left many of them confused. They have arrived in Finland and chose UAS not only for education but also because they were planning a long-term future.
One of them is Johnbosco Ogunka, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Automation and Robotics from JAMK University of Applied Sciences. He was surprised when he heard about the new regulations.
“I came here believing that I made a practical and future-oriented choice. I chose applied sciences because of their strong emphasis on practical learning and relevance to the labour market.”
For Ogunka, the issue goes beyond residence status.
“I reasonably assumed that all bachelor’s degrees from Finland’s higher education system would be treated equally.”
But Ogunka says: “If a bachelor’s degree from applied sciences is considered less than one from a theory-based university, what does that mean for its value more broadly?”
Ahmed Eldabaa has similar thoughts. He is currently studying in his final year of a bachelor’s degree in Logistics Engineering at JAMK University of Applied Sciences. He also chose applied sciences because he believed the practical focus would support faster entry into the labour market.
Now he sees that the change has forced him to reconsider his long-term plans. Especially because the reform comes at a time when economic uncertainty and difficulties in securing paid practical training have already made post-graduation planning challenging.
“They argue that UAS bachelor graduates are more likely to get a job. But instead of supporting those entering employment, the rule makes it harder for them to stay.”
Eldabaa notes that some employers in Finland still prioritize master’s degrees.
“It makes me question whether our degree is considered lower-tier higher education by the state itself.”
He says he is now considering relocation after graduation.
Ministry: differences in employment
The new legislation was formed by the Ministry of the Interior. Satakieli approached the Ministry and asked them to clarify their reasoning behind the rules.
In a written response, Harri Sivula, Negotiating Officer at the Immigration Department, Ministry of the Interior, referred to the government proposal submitted to parliament (HE 62/2025 vp), which formed the basis of the reform.
Sivula explained that university bachelor’s degrees are generally considered an intermediate qualification, with most graduates continuing directly to a master’s program rather than entering the labour market. Granting permanent residence at the bachelor’s stage is therefore intended to encourage students to remain in Finland throughout their master’s studies.
By contrast, UAS graduates typically enter employment immediately after completing their degree, and their employment rates one year after graduation are higher than those of university bachelor graduates. A larger share of university graduates also leaves Finland.
On this basis, according to Sivula, the reform seeks to strengthen retention of highly educated professionals by offering earlier permanent residence to those expected to continue to master’s studies.