Statement: UAS students deserve equal treatment in the Aliens Act
We are concerned about the new bill that would change the Aliens Act (HE 62/2025) to blatantly discriminate against university of applied sciences students. The Government has submitted its proposal to amend the Act and it has been submitted to Parliament for consideration. We support the position of The Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences Arene and demand that Parliament correct the discriminatory policy.
As an exception to the stricter restrictions on residence permits, the Government proposes that a permanent residence permit could be obtained by completing a master’s degree, a postgraduate degree or a bachelor’s degree at a university in Finland. Those with a university of applied sciences degree would be excluded from this, and they would be required to have an annual income of at least EUR 40,000 and a four-year fixed-term residence permit in order to obtain a permanent permit. The legislative amendment would have a significant impact on international university of applied sciences students in Finland and would place higher education students in an unequal position.
The bill treats university of applied sciences students unequally compared to university students, even though the scope and level of degrees are completely comparable. Many students even complete their studies cross-functionally between the university of applied sciences and the university. Parliament should correct the discriminatory policy from the government proposal by also including a university of applied sciences degree in the exception to the permanent residence permit provision (section 56 c). University of applied sciences students must also be equated with university students in legislation. International students must be able to study and build their future in equal and just conditions.
Universities of applied sciences produce practical experts that Finnish working life needs. These future experts are also needed from abroad – without adding new challenges to their path. A person educated at a university of applied sciences in Finland already has the qualifications suitable for working in Finland, losing them – or removing them – abroad does not serve the Finnish economy or its expertise in any form. The requirement for an annual income and a four-year fixed-term residence permit will weaken Finland’s attractiveness as a country of education, make it more difficult to attract experts to the labour market and increase the uncertainty of international students in their everyday lives. This does not serve the interests of students, higher education institutions or Finland.
Parliament must amend the Government’s legislative proposal and ensure that a student’s future is not determined by whether he or she completes his or her degree at a university of applied sciences or a university.
On behalf of the Student Union JAMKO,
Aamos Wilhelms, Member of the Board, Education Policy, aamos.wilhelms@jamko.fi
Sonja Wesa, Member of the Board, Social Policy, sonja.wesa@jamko.fi