First residence permit
When you apply for your first residence permit in Finland, the right application form for you depends on your reason for coming to Finland:
- Coming to Finland for work
- Moving to Finland to be with a family member
- Studying in Finland
- Remigration
- Coming to Finland on other grounds
You will find the application form at the bottom of the application page of each residence permit. If you are not sure which application form you should use, use the Application Finder to find out.
You need to apply for your residence permit personally. You cannot for example apply for a residence permit for your spouse or employee.
If you already have a residence permit and wish to continue your stay in Finland after it expires, apply for an extended permit.
If you are a citizen of an EU Member State, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you do not need a residence permit for Finland but you must register your right of residence in Finland.
This is what you should do
1
Make sure you meet the requirements for the residence permit you are applying for.
Make sure you meet the requirements for the residence permit you are applying for.
2
Make sure you have all the attachments needed. If necessary, have them translated and legalised. The processing time may be longer if you have not filled in your application sufficiently.
Make sure you have all the attachments needed. If necessary, have them translated and legalised. The processing time may be longer if you have not filled in your application sufficiently.
3
Fill in your application in the online service Enter Finland or use a paper application form.
Fill in your application in the online service Enter Finland or use a paper application form.
4
Pay for your application in the online service Enter Finland, at a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate) or at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.
Pay for your application in the online service Enter Finland, at a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate) or at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.
5
If you are abroad, visit a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate). If you are already in Finland, book an appointment at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.
If you are abroad, visit a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate). If you are already in Finland, book an appointment at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.
6
Wait for a decision. The Finnish Immigration Service will contact you if necessary.
Wait for a decision. The Finnish Immigration Service will contact you if necessary.
7
Read what happens after you have applied. Check the estimated processing time of your application. You can follow the processing of your application with the help of our chatbot Kamu. In addition, you will usually receive automated messages at the different processing stages of your application.
Read what happens after you have applied. Check the estimated processing time of your application. You can follow the processing of your application with the help of our chatbot Kamu. In addition, you will usually receive automated messages at the different processing stages of your application.
8
You should wait for the residence permit in the same country or locality where you submitted your application and proved your identity.
You should wait for the residence permit in the same country or locality where you submitted your application and proved your identity.
General requirements for entry into Finland
Make sure you meet the general requirements for entry into Finland before you submit an application.
You can only get a residence permit if you are able to travel to Finland and stay in the country legally. This means that you must have a valid passport. If your passport expires while the residence permit is valid, remember to renew it early enough. Your residence permit may be withdrawn if you don’t have a valid passport while residing in Finland.
The applicant can either apply in the e-service Enter Finland or fill in a paper application.