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Asylum seeker’s right to work

As an asylum seeker, you are permitted employment only if you have a valid right to work. When you find a job, you must check whether your right to work has begun and whether it is still in force.

You must tell your employer immediately if your right to work is terminated. You may be committing an offence if you are employed but do not have the right to work.

Where can you find information on your right to work?

In the application process, asylum seekers are given a brochure, ‘Asylum seeker`s right to work’.

In the event that your asylum application is rejected, the decision will also tell you when your right to work will terminate. In the event that your asylum application is accepted, the decision will tell you about your right to work as based on your residence permit.

For what kind of work do you need to have the right to work?

You need to have a valid right to work if you get paid for your work. This applies even to paid internships.

If you do not have a valid right to work, you can work without pay. You can, for example, work as an unpaid intern or volunteer.

When does the right to work begin?

You are allowed to find paid employment after either three or six months have passed following your application for asylum.

  • The waiting period is three months if you have presented a valid passport or other travel document to the authorities, and it has been verified as genuine.
  • The waiting period is six months if you have not presented a travel document.

How does a re-application affect the right to work?

After 1 June 2019, if you submit a re-application you will have to wait another three or six months before you can work again. A re-application is an application submitted by an asylum seeker who has already received a decision on at least one earlier asylum application.

  • The waiting period is three months if you have presented a valid passport or other travel document to the authorities, and it has been verified as genuine.
  • The waiting period is six months if you have not presented a travel document.

If you submitted a re-application before 1 June 2019, you may continue working.

How long can the employment continue?

When you receive a decision, you must check whether your right to work is still valid. The decision will tell you this.

Was your asylum application accepted?

If your application was accepted, in most cases you may continue to work in Finland. Your residence permit card or decision will tell you whether you have the right to work in Finland.

Was your asylum application rejected?

If your application was rejected, your right to work will terminate as follows:

  • if the decision became enforceable before 1 June 2019, i.e. if it has been legally possible to remove you from the country since before that date, then your right to work will terminate when the decision acquires legal force.
  • If the decision was not enforceable before 1 June 2019, your right to work will terminate when the decision becomes enforceable, i.e. when it is legally possible to remove you from the country. This will be explained in the Finnish Immigration Service’s decision.

When does a decision acquire legal force?

A decision acquires legal force when any of the following conditions is met:

  • You have been notified of the decision and have not lodged an appeal with the Administrative Court within the appeal period of 30 days.
  • You have been notified of the decision of the Administrative Court and have not applied to appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court within the appeal period of 30 days.
  • You have received a decision from the Supreme Administrative Court on your application to appeal and on your appeal.

When does a decision become enforceable?

When a decision is enforceable, it means you can be legally removed from the country. A decision will tell you whether it is enforceable or not.

You can find further information on when you may be removed from the country here.

Employers are required by law to verify the right to work

An employer must verify that a foreign employee has the required residence permit for an employed person or that the employee is not required to have a residence permit.

An employer may be committing an offence or a violation if he or she deliberately or negligently employs an employee who does not have the right to work.

Asylum seeker’s right to work is based on the Aliens Act. Under the act, an employee does not need a certificate of the right to work. Employers can ask about their employees’ right to work free of charge by sending an email message to the Finnish Immigration Service. See the instructions on the page Information about right to work.

The Finnish Immigration Service cannot comment on when an asylum seeker can be removed from the country. The police are responsible for removing people from the country. Occupational safety and health authorities monitor the employer’s obligation to verify that a foreign employee has the right to work: Right to work – Occupational safety and health. When needed, contact the authority responsible for the matter in question.

Asylum seeker's right to work if you intend to become an entrepreneur

According to the Aliens Act, asylum seekers are allowed to have gainful employment in Finland. Gainful employment means working against payment or other compensation in an employment relationship under the employer’s direction and supervision. As an asylum seeker, you cannot work as an entrepreneur in Finland. Instead, you need to apply for a residence permit for an entrepreneur. You need to apply for a residence permit for an entrepreneur even when you work as a light entrepreneur or freelancer. More information: Residence permit application for an entrepreneur - Finnish Immigration Service (migri.fi).

Residence permit on the basis of work

If you have found a job in Finland, you can also apply for a separate residence permit on the basis of work. For more information, see the page Coming to Finland for work.