Finland provides 5,300 foreign technologists with free residence and passport
Written by: Valerie Dawson
A Finnish initiative to attract people with a technical background to Finland resulted in over 5,300 applications in one month. For those interested, everything is arranged, from documentation to accommodation, so that they can try life in Finland for ninety days undisturbed.
Organiser Helsinki Business Hub was realistic at the start of the project:
"Finland is not at the top of the migration lists of foreigners."
However, Marketing Director Johanna Huurre is convinced that most foreigners will stay in Finland once they decide to come.
Most applications reportedly came from Canada and the United States, while one person from the remote island state of Vanuatu was also interested. There was particular interest in Finland's health system, the policy on parental leave, its nature and the Finnish government's approach to the coronavirus, writes The Guardian.
Finland has fewer than 35,000 infections, while the number of deaths has just passed the five hundred mark. In mid-November, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Finland was the only country in Europe with some control over the COVID-19 outbreak.
Organizer calls initiative necessary due to growing tech sector
The selected candidates will enter a trial period of three months during which their qualities will be tested. If they meet Finnish standards and want to stay, a permanent residence and necessary documentation will be arranged for them, while children are placed in ideal schools. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, a home office is also set up for each person.
According to spokespersons for the campaign, the action was necessary because the technical sector in Finland will create 50,000 jobs in the next few years. "We need the talent," The Guardian quotes them as saying.
A major United Nations study has concluded for several years in a row that Finland is home to some of the happiest people in the world. The Netherlands finished fifth on that list last year, the highest position so far.