Coming to Finland for work
If you plan to work or to engage in business activities in Finland, you will usually need a residence permit.
There are different residence permit applications for different types of work. You will find the requirements of each permit and the application instructions on the application page of the permit in question. If you are not sure which application you should choose, you can use the Application Finder to find out.
As a rule, if there is no specific residence permit application for your work, you must apply for a residence permit for an employed person. Read more on the page Residence permit for an employed person.
For a list of all work-based residence permit applications, see the page Residence permits on the basis of work.
Apply for a first residence permit abroad and visit a Finnish mission to prove your identity. Wait for a decision abroad.
See our video on how to select the right application on the basis of employment (youtube.com).
If you already have a residence permit that has been granted on other grounds than work
If you have already been granted a residence permit on other grounds than work, it may include a right to work. If your residence permit includes the right to work, you will usually not need a separate permit for work. To find out whether you have the right to work, see your residence permit decision and your residence permit card. Read more on the page Work in Finland.
Seasonal work
If you are coming to Finland to do seasonal work, you must apply for the appropriate permit for it. The different kinds of seasonal work permits are visa for seasonal work, certificate for seasonal work and residence permit for seasonal work. The duration of your work will affect which seasonal work permit you need to apply for.
Seasonal work refers to work in agriculture and tourism that is tied to a certain time of the year. Read more on the page Seasonal work.
By using the fast-track service, you can get a residence permit in two weeks
You can fast-track your residence permit application, if you are coming to Finland to work
- as a specialist
- as a specialist or manager with an ICT residence permit
- in top or middle management of a company
- with an EU Blue Card
- as a start-up entrepreneur.
Even your spouse and children can apply at the same time and fast-track their applications.
Fast-track applications can be submitted only in the online service Enter Finland. For more information, see the page Fast track.
Family members
If you are granted a residence permit for work, your family may usually apply for a residence permit on the basis of family ties. Read the application page to find out if your family members may get residence permits on the basis of family ties.
Your salary must be sufficient for living in Finland
When you apply for a residence permit in order to work in Finland, you must be paid an appropriate salary for your work. Read more on the page Income requirement.
The D visa allows you to travel to Finland immediately after being issued with a residence permit
You should apply for a D visa at the same time as you apply for a residence permit. You can apply for a D visa if you are coming to Finland to work and will have one the following permits:
- Residence permit for a specialist
- Residence permit for a start-up entrepreneur
- Residence permit for work in top or middle management
- EU Blue Card
- Residence permit on the basis of intra-corporate transfer if you are a specialist or a manager.
You can also apply for a D visa if you will be working for a certified employer
To check if your employer is certified, see the page Certified employers.
- Residence permit for an employed person
- Residence permit on the basis of research completed in Finland
- Residence permit on the basis of a degree completed in Finland
- Residence permit for work in the service of a religious community
- Residence permit for work in the field of culture or the arts
- Residence permit for work in the field of mass media
- Residence permit for employment with international organisations or cooperation between states
- Residence permit for preparation of company’s arrival in Finland and supervision of orders
- Residence permit for delivery of a machine or system
- Residence permit for an athlete or a coach
- Residence permit for a consultant
- Residence permit for a visiting teacher, lecturer or trainer
- Residence permit on the basis of an intergovernmental agreement
Your spouse and children can also apply for a D visa if they are applying for a residence permit on the basis of family ties. Read more on the page Moving to Finland to be with a family member.
Read more about the D visa.
Application process when you are applying for your first residence permit on the basis of work
Apply for a first residence permit abroad via the Enter Finland online service or on paper.
You need to submit the application yourself. Your employer cannot apply for a residence permit on your behalf. However, your employer may supplement your application. Read more on the page For employers.
When you have completed the application form, book an appointment to visit a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate) abroad:
- Once you have submitted an online application, visit the Finnish mission to prove your identity, to have your fingerprints taken and to show the originals of the documents that you have attached to your application. Pay for your application online or at the Finnish mission.
- If you have filled in a paper application, bring it with you. Have your fingerprints taken, prove your identity and show the originals of the documents that you have attached to your application. If you submit your application on paper, pay for it at a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate) or a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.
The processing time of your application depends on the grounds on which you applied. You can use the Processing Time Checker to find out the estimated processing time for your application. Please note that the expected processing time is an estimation, and the actual processing time can be either longer or shorter than the estimate. You can read more about the expected processing times on the page Processing times.
You will usually receive automated messages at the different processing stages of your application.
If we notice that something is missing from your application or if we need additional information from you, we will contact you. In some cases, we may ask you for additional information in writing or in an interview.
If you are applying for a residence permit for an employed person, an Employment and Economic Development Office (TE Office) will make a partial decision on your application. If you are applying for a residence permit for a self-employed person, a Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) will make a partial decision on your application. The Finnish Immigration Service will process your application only after this.
Wait for a decision abroad. The Finnish Immigration Service will contact you if necessary.
If you need to supplement your application, you can do so in one of the following ways:
- by using the ‘Send additional information’ tab in the online service Enter Finland if you have submitted an online application
- by post
- by email
Read more on the page Notify us of changes.
You may cancel your application at any time during its processing. Read more on the page Cancelling an application.
If you applied online via the online service Enter Finland, you will get an email or a text message when a decision has been made. You will also see it in your user account in the online service.
If you submitted your residence permit application on paper:
- If you submitted your application abroad, you will be informed of the decision by the Finnish mission (embassy or consulate) that you have selected in your application as your service point.
Some decisions will be sent by post with an advice of delivery.
Your employer will also be informed of the decision.
If you are granted a residence permit, you will receive a residence permit card.
If you are not satisfied with the decision, you have the right to appeal against the decision to an Administrative Court. Instructions on how to appeal will be attached to the decision.
The majority of decisions made by the Administrative Courts are subject to a fee. Contact an Administrative Court to find out more about court fees.
Prepare for your life in Finland
Among other things, the authorities may ask you for information about whether you have enough money to live in Finland.
If you were not issued a personal identity code together with your residence permit card, you must visit a service location of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency in person.
The Digital and Population Data Services Agency enters your personal details, information about your family relations and your address in the Population Information System. You can also apply for a municipality of residence at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
For more information, visit the website of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (dvv.fi)