NCP Plans Major Tightening of Finland’s Immigration Policy

Finland’s governing National Coalition Party (NCP) is preparing a new policy programme that could lead to significant further restrictions on immigration, with a particular focus on employment, family reunification and humanitarian migration.

NCP MP Atte Kaleva, who is leading the preparation of the programme, told Yle that Finland should take a stricter approach to deciding who is granted residence permits.

The party’s proposed approach is based heavily on the economic impact of immigration. Kaleva said “economically burdensome immigration” should be minimised, while immigration that benefits Finland’s economy should be encouraged.

According to Kaleva, one of the NCP’s basic principles is that people coming to Finland should have a job when they arrive and remain employed throughout their stay.

Stricter rules for family reunification

Family reunification is another area the NCP wants to address.

Under the current system, people legally residing in Finland can apply for residence permits for eligible family members. Applicants are generally required to demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support their families.

The government is already reviewing the income requirements for family reunification. In April, the Ministry of the Interior launched a legislative project under which the required income levels would in future be set by government decree. The government says the review will consider the effects on both labour availability and public finances.

The government has also previously introduced tighter family reunification requirements, including changes concerning the minimum age of spouses, financial resources and residence periods.

Focus on work-based immigration

The NCP’s new policy programme is expected to place even greater emphasis on work-based immigration.

The party argues that immigration should strengthen Finland’s economy and help address labour shortages rather than increase pressure on public finances.

Finland has already seen a decline in immigration-related applications. According to Migri, work-based residence permit applications fell significantly in 2025, although applications began to recover in early 2026.

The government’s existing immigration programme also places strong emphasis on integration through work, language learning and immigrants’ own responsibilities.

Humanitarian immigration under review

Humanitarian immigration is also expected to be part of the NCP’s policy review. This includes international protection granted to asylum seekers and people arriving in Finland through the refugee quota system.

The NCP’s proposals are still being prepared and do not yet represent final legislation. Any major changes to immigration rules would require government proposals and parliamentary approval.

The new policy programme could nevertheless signal a further shift in Finland’s immigration debate, with the governing party seeking to place employment, economic self-sufficiency and tighter control of residence permits at the centre of future policy.