Applying for a residence permit online
Create a user account.
enterfinland.fi
Fill in the application and add your documents.
Choose your service point.
Pay the processing fee.
Send the application.
Contact a Finnish embassy or consulate to schedule your visit or book an appointment at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.
Visit the embassy, consulate or service point to prove your identity.
Follow the status of your application.
If more information is needed, you will get a request for additional information.
Reply to the request on time.
You will be notified in Enter Finland when the decision is ready.
Applying for a residence permit on paper
Fill in the application form.
Collect all the documents needed for the application.
Take copies of the documents and of your passport.
Contact a Finnish embassy or consulate to schedule your visit or book an appointment at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.
Visit the embassy, consulate or service point to submit your application.
If more information is needed, you will get a request for additional information.
Reply to the request on time.
You will be notified when the decision is ready. The decision will be sent to you by post, or you may be invited to come and hear the decision.
Tips for applying for a residence permit
Grounds for applying
Find out which application is the right one for you.
migri.fi/i-want-to-apply
Requirements
Make sure you meet the requirements for the residence permit you are applying for.
migri.fi/residence-permit
Income
Check if the income requirement applies to you.
migri.fi/income-requirement
Apply well in advance
If you are coming to Finland to work or study, submit your application well in advance.
Translations
If your documents are not in Finnish, Swedish or English, have them officially translated.
migri.fi/interpretation-translation-and-legalisation
Passport
Make sure your passport is valid.
Passport photo
Add an official passport photo to your application. The photo may not be more than 6 months old.
Prepare for your visit to a service point
Check what you need to bring with you when you visit the service point.
migri.fi/handling-matters-at-a-service-point
Request for additional information
If you get a request for additional information, reply to it on time.
migri.fi/answering-a-request-for-additional-information
Applying for a residence permit? Don’t forget the passport photo!
To get an official passport photo, go to a photo shop that takes passport photos.
The passport photo may not be more than 6 months old.
Add a paper photo or the photograph retrieval code from the photo shop to your application.
Read more:
passport photograph instructions by the police
