Residence permit income limit | The evaluation council criticizes: The government's proposal lacks a description of the current state and the magnitude of the effects

Legislation the evaluation council criticized the bill on amending the Aliens Act, which would set the wage limit for an employee's residence permit at 1,600 euros.

The Evaluation Council says in its statement on Friday that it is difficult to get an idea of ​​the need for a change in the law from the bill, because the proposal lacks a description of the current state and its evaluation.

According to the draft law, a separate income limit, i.e. salary limit, would be added to the employee's residence permit in the Aliens Act. Its euro-denominated level would be decided by a government decree.

Among other things, the legislative change planned by the government aims to ensure that employees who come to work in Finland receive a living wage for their work. The goal is also to ensure that work-based immigration strengthens the public economy without setting an income limit limiting the availability of labor too much.

In the past, the law change has gathered widespread opposition from, for example, the business world and non-governmental organizations. Non-governmental organisations, such as Suomen Pakolaisapu, Pakolaisneuvonta and Turvapaikanikäkijait tutik, are also against the new income limit.

The employee all employees whose skill group or industry does not have a separate residence permit apply for a residence permit. Typically, it is about professionals. Today, the income limit is around 1,400 euros per month.

The draft law went through an opinion round in December–January. The goal is to present the bill to the parliament during the spring session.

The Evaluation Council considers that the effects of the proposed salary limit on companies must be clarified. According to the Council, the bill describes the possible negative effects of the wage limit on companies, but the magnitude of the effects on companies could be described in more detail.

According to the Council, the bill also does not give an idea of ​​the true magnitude of the effects on the public economy, as the estimates focus on the life cycle effects at the individual level.

In addition, the council says that the proposal should describe in more detail the effects on foreigners applying for a work-based residence permit or extension permit.

The evaluation council recommends that the draft proposal be corrected in accordance with the council's statement before the government presents the proposal to the parliament.

Correction 14.4. 6:10 p.m.: In the story, it was previously erroneously stated that the income limit for an employee's residence permit would currently be around 1,300 euros per month. In reality, the income limit today is around 1,400 euros per month.