Migri increases income thresholds for residence permit for family members and students starting 1 November 2024

Most residence permits require that a foreigner be able to pay for their and their family’s living expenses. The income thresholds used to assess financial resources of applicants have not been raised since 2013. That is why Migri has decided to introduce new and mostly higher thresholds that are in line with actual cost of living in Finland.

Increase of thousands of euros a year for families

For example, the combined resources required for a family of four will increase to 2910 euros per month – total increase is €3720 per year. A family of two adults will need financial resources of 1820 euros per month (21 840 euros in total per year), which is an increase of €120 per month(€1440 per year).

A major change is that the income thresholds for children, especially a fourth and fifth child, will increase significantly.

Migri has based the new thresholds on the basic social assistance granted in the Helsinki metropolitan area and on the housing costs and healthcare expenses that are observed when granting social assistance.

Going forward, Migri has decided the income threshold will be automatically adjusted every year.

See table of income thresholds for residence permit on Migris website

New threshold for applications submitted as of 1 November

Migri checks if you have the financial resources to meet the threshold when you apply for residence permit, be it a first application or a renewal.

The new income threshold is checked for applications submitted starting 1 November 2024. If you, for example, have already applied for family members’ residence permits before November, it’s the old thresholds that you need to meet.

Some social benefits also count

The main rule is that as an immigrant, you should have the financial resources to provide for you and your family through your work, wealth or other income to get residence permit.

However, certain social benefits that are meant to compensate for expenses reduce the amount of financial resources required. These include:

• child benefit
• child care allowances
• child maintenance allowance
• study grant
• housing allowance.

In Finland the state compensates households for certain expenses. For example, if you live permanently in Finland with your 0-16 year-old child(ren) you are eligible for child benefit to compensate for expenses related to their basic needs. Low-income households of one or more people can also get housing allowance for reasonable housing expenses. Getting these benefits does not negatively impact the application for residence permit for your or your family members.

Read more about child benefit here

Read more about general housing allowance here

Text: Hildur Boldt