Finland
Automated post-decision monitoring of residence permits for employed persons
The Finnish Immigration Service introduced automated post-decision monitoring of residence permits for employed persons on 20 January 2025.
The purpose of automated post-decision monitoring is to verify whether the holder of a residence permit for an employed person still meets the requirements for the permit. Post-decision monitoring is applied to first residence permits issued on or after 1 January 2024 and to extended permits issued on or after 1 January 2023.
A residence permit for an employed person can be granted to an applicant who is coming to Finland to work for a Finnish employer or other employer operating in Finland. A residence permit for an employed person is granted for the field in which the applicant will work. Applicants must have confirmed employment in Finland before they can apply for the permit.
Post-decision monitoring will focus on the key requirements for the permit. The Finnish Immigration Service will verify whether the employee has been paid a salary that meets the income requirement, for example. The authorities may conduct automatic register checks in national registers, including the register of Kela (kela.fi), the Incomes Register (vero.fi) and the registers of the Legal Register Centre (oikeusrekisterikeskus.fi).
Automated post-decision monitoring is already being used to monitor the permits of students, startup entrepreneurs and specialists. Expanding the scope of post-decision monitoring to cover work-based residence permits is part of the Government’s action plan against labour exploitation. The Finnish Immigration Service has carried out post-decision monitoring since 2017.
Iceland
Higher amount required as means of support for residence permit and citizenship applicants
One of the requirements for being granted a residence permit in Iceland or Icelandic citizenship is that applicants can show that they have enough means to financially support themselves independently.
As of 1 February 2025 the reference amount required for an individual, 18 years and older, will be raised from 239.895 ISK to 247.572 ISK per month. The amount for married couples will be raised from 383.832 ISK to 396.115 ISK per month. The amounts refer to pre-tax income.
The new reference amounts apply for applications received as of 1 February 2025.
United Kingdom
Proposed changes to immigration fee rules
On 16 January 2025, the government laid changes before parliament that, if adopted, will increase certain immigration fees.
Through the immigration and Nationality (Fees) (Amendment) Order 2025, the government proposes to increase the maximum amounts that can be charged (‘fee maxima’) for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), for approval of sponsorship by a sponsor on work visa routes, and for naturalisation as a British citizen or a British Overseas Territories citizen and certain nationality related services.
The government aims to implement the following fee increases:
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) fee rising to £16;
- Certificate of sponsorship fee rising to £525;
- Naturalisation as a British citizen rising to £1605;
- Naturalisation as a British overseas territories citizen rising to £1070.
Separately, following feedback from the aviation industry, the government has agreed a temporary exemption to the ETA requirement for passengers who transit airside, and therefore do not pass through UK border control. This move will primarily affect Heathrow and Manchester airports, as the only UK airports which currently offer transit facilities. The exemption will be kept under review.
