Finland Cracks Down on International Students Exploiting Welfare to ensure students support themselves financially. Authorities say this step targets non-EU students in Finland who receive Kela social benefits without meeting residency rules. The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) will track students receiving benefits and enforce student visa rules in Finland more strictly.
The government’s plan introduces an automated monitoring system in Finland to detect misuse of social assistance in Finland. Post-decision monitoring will check if students rely on public benefits, even for one-time payments. Authorities aim to close the student social benefits loophole while maintaining financial self-sufficiency for students. Between 2023 and 2025, 333 non-EU students in Finland received basic social assistance, but none faced residence permit cancellation due to current exemptions.
Under the public consultation draft legislation, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment encourages public feedback until February 27, 2026. If approved, any instance of receiving unapproved aid could lead to the withdrawal of the residence permit. Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s government program emphasizes tightening education-based immigration while reducing reliance on public benefits. These changes will only affect international students in Finland from outside the EU and EEA.
The new rules highlight the importance of compliance with student visa rules in Finland. Universities are asked to guide students about financial responsibilities and legal obligations. International students in Finland should ensure they have sufficient funds to cover living expenses. The system also strengthens Finland’s education-based immigration policies and helps maintain fairness for all students.
Finland Cracks Down on International Students Exploiting Welfare, and these measures reinforce financial accountability. Non-EU students in Finland must follow visa compliance and enforcement rules to avoid serious consequences.
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Finland cracks down on international students exploiting welfare, enforcing residence permit rules and Kela social benefits compliance.
