Eva proposes job-seeking visa for skilled professionals in Finland

Elinkeinoelämän valtuuskunta (Eva) has proposed a job-seeking visa for Finland, aimed at allowing a six-month job search without access to Finnish social security. The proposed visa is intended for “skilled professionals from outside the EU who have a high likelihood of securing employment,” meaning applicants should have adequate education, skills, or work experience.

According to consultant Jussi Pyykkönen, who prepared an analysis for Eva, if the applicant secures a permanent job during the visa period, they would then be eligible for a residence permit based on their employment. However, if they do not obtain a job, they would not be entitled to a residence permit.

Eva advocates for the removal of the labor market test, which currently prevents employers from hiring foreign job seekers if suitable candidates are available from Finland or other EU countries. Eva views this practice as rigid and bureaucratic. “Instead of assessing entry requirements based on job offers, we should evaluate the prospects of job seekers’ employment and their potential to hire others,” Pyykkönen stated.

Eva believes that this visa proposal would attract skilled professionals to Finland.

The issue of labor market testing is divisive among government parties. The Swedish People’s Party (RKP) has suggested abolishing the requirement, despite it being stipulated in the government program to remain unchanged. Conversely, the Finns Party strongly supports maintaining the labor market test, and the Minister of Labor from the National Coalition Party, Arto Satonen, does not see a need for change. “In my view, we are currently able to fill available positions relatively quickly,” Satonen told Yle News in August.