Dear Finnish Government,

We are a group of skilled workers, a vital part of Finland's thriving workforce, writing to express our profound concerns over the proposed changes to the country's residency requirements for Permanent Residence and Citizenship. These changes include an increase in residency requirements from 4 to 8 years for citizenship and from 4 to 6 years for permanent residency, alongside new prerequisites like language proficiency, income requirements, and a two-year work history without long-term unemployment or income support.

We have chosen Finland because of its political stability, excellent quality of life, and, importantly, the previously less lengthy process of gaining Permanent Residence and Citizenship. The prospect of a swift transition to full residency was, for many of us, a decisive factor in favor of Finland over other countries. We have been contributing significantly to the Finnish economy and society, and we hoped to cement our futures here.

The proposed changes would deter highly skilled workers like us who are keen to integrate and contribute to Finnish society. Many of us have already started considering alternative options, such as the Netherlands, Canada, or Germany, which offer additional benefits including tax advantages for skilled immigrants, faster processes for obtaining Permanent Residence, and a more expansive international job market.

We acknowledge the challenges associated with integration, such as mastering the Finnish language, adapting to the climate, and understanding cultural nuances. These hurdles are hard for immigrants but surmountable with time and commitment. By extending the residency requirements, Finland risks losing skilled workers who are eager to integrate but are deterred by a lengthy and uncertain immigration process.

We respectfully request that the Finnish Government reconsider these proposed changes. They risk negating the many benefits Finland has to offer to highly skilled workers worldwide, potentially driving away a valuable part of the Finnish workforce.

We look forward to an open dialogue on this matter and hope that our concerns will be seriously considered.

Sincerely.