The statutory overall responsibility for organising integration services for migrants will be transferred from the state to municipalities when the renewed Integration Act enters into force on 1 January 2025. Integration services will help new residents adapt to Finnish society, learn the language and find employment.
Most integration services will remain unchanged. International newcomers will still receive an initial assessment, integration plan and integration training. The law reform will bring about new services, such as civic orientation courses, providing each participant with information on Finnish society in their own language.
New international residents will receive integration services at the Helsinki Employment Services’ Itäkeskus, Viipurinkatu and Kamppi offices. The services are available in Finnish, Swedish and English, as well as in various other languages with the help of the interpreting service.
Helsinki home to highest number of people with a foreign background compared to other municipalities
The purpose of the law reform is to centralise and streamline services for new international residents, because municipalities are already in charge of many basic public services. Helsinki will be in charge of providing integration services to approximately 6,000 clients at the start of the year.
“Helsinki plays a major role in integration in terms of the entire country, as it is home to the highest number of people with a foreign background compared to other municipalities. Population growth is a prerequisite for the vitality of Helsinki. People with a foreign background are mostly of working and studying age, meaning that they balance out the age distribution and secure the supply of labour,” says Head of Immigration Services Glenn Gassen from the City of Helsinki.
The objective of integration is to make new international residents feel that they are active and full members of society and help them gain and adopt the knowledge and skills needed in their daily lives. In addition to supporting new residents in learning more about their new home country, their ability to maintain their own language and culture is also reinforced.
The City of Helsinki will continue to provide existing targeted services for migrants. One of these is Helsinki-info, which provides guidance and advice on City services and immigration.
The service point at International House Helsinki offers initial guidance and public authority services to people relocating or thinking about moving to the Helsinki metropolitan area.
Integration services
City of Helsinki Employment Services
Itäkeskus: Asiakkaankatu 3A, 00930 Helsinki (Mon-Fri 9–16)
Viipurinkatu: Viipurinkatu 2, 00510 Helsinki (Mon-Fri 9–16)
Kamppi: Malminkatu 34, 00100 Helsinki (Mon-Fri 9–16)
Phone services: 09 310 36107
Helsinki Employment Services(Link leads to external service)
Helsinki-info guidance on general matters and immigration
Oodi: Töölönlahdenkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki (Mon-Thu 10–18, Fri 10–16)
Stoa: Turunlinnantie 1, 00900 Helsinki (Mon and Wed 9–16 ja Fri 10–16)
Email: neuvonta@hel.fi(Link opens default mail program)
Phone services: 09 31011 111 (Mon-Thu 9–16 ja Fri 10–15)
Helsinki-info
International House Helsinki
Address: Lintulahdenkuja 2 D, 2. krs, 00530 Helsinki (Mon-Thu 9–16, Fri 10–16)
Email: info@ihhelsinki.fi(Link opens default mail program)
Phone services: 09 310 11111 (Mon-Thu 9–16 and Fri 10–15)
International House Helsinki(Link leads to external service)
Special Services for Immigrants
Services and guidance for immigrants, undocumented individuals, and victims of human trafficking from a social welfare perspective.
Guidance is available without an appointment at the Kalasatama Health and Well-being Center (Työpajankatu 14 A) on weekdays from 8:15 AM to 4 PM. (Room 1001, service with a queue number)
Guidance on the phone is available on weekdays from 8 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 4 PM for immigrants and victims of human trafficking (0931037577), as well as for undocumented individuals (0931023747). Applications for our services can also be submitted via the Maisa platform.
Special services for immigrants
