Fast-track service can help you obtain a residence permit in two weeks from 1 June 2022
Fast track means a faster permit process where you can receive a decision on your residence permit in just two weeks.
If you are coming from a country subject to a visa requirement, you can apply for a D visa when applying for a residence permit. The D visa allows you to arrive in Finland as soon as you receive a positive residence permit decision.
Who can apply for a residence permit using the fast-track service?
You can apply for a residence permit using the fast-track service if you are arriving in Finland:
- as a specialist
- as a start-up entrepreneur
- You need a positive Eligibility Statement from Business Finland before applying for a residence permit.
- as a specialist with an ICT residence permit
- with an EU Blue Card
or as a family member of one of the above.
You can use the fastt track if you submit your application in the Enter Finland online service. In addition, the employer of a specialist, ICT residence permit applicant and EU Blue Card applicant must use the Enter Finland for Employers online service. The fast track can only be used for applications sent from abroad.
If you are applying for a residence permit via the fast track service, follow these steps:
- Prepare for your application process
- Make sure you fulfil all the requirements of your residence permit.
- Check that you have all the attachments required for your residence permit in Finnish, Swedish or English. If necessary, have the attachments translated and legalised.
- Fill in the application
- In your application, let us know if you are also applying for a D visa. If you are applying for a D visa, you need to give a Finnish address in the application. Your residence permit card will be delivered to your nearest pickup point. If you are not applying for a D visa, you can choose whether to have your car delivered to Finland or to your service point in another country. You can check whether you need a visa to travel to Finland on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland.
- If you are applying as a family member, attach the fast track ID number given by the main applicant in your application. The code is valid for two days after the main applicant has sent their application. Send your application as a family member within two days.
- Select a VFS Global application centre as your service point. If your country does not have a VFS Global application centre, select the Finnish embassy or consulate as the service point.
- Pay for and send the application
- If you are applying for a residence permit for a specialist, an ICT residence permit or the EU Blue Card, your employer needs to fill in the terms of your employment in your application within two working days after you have sent your application in Enter Finland.
- Visit the service point within five working days after you have sent your application in Enter Finland
- Book an appointment by following the instructions given to you. If any family members are applying at the same time, book an appointment for the family.
- Read the decision in Enter Finland
- If you applied for a D visa at the same time or if you are coming from a country with no visa requirement, you can arrive in Finland as soon as you have a positive decision and the D visa has been attached to your passport. The residence permit card will be delivered to the nearest pickup point based on the Finnish address you gave in your application.
- If you chose to receive your residence permit card abroad, it will be sent to the service point where you proved your identity.
- If you receive a positive residence permit decision, book an appointment with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency. The Digital and Population Data Services Agency will give you a personal identity code.
See the application-specific instructions on the fast-track service and more information on the D visa on our website.
If you are an employer of a fast-track applicant, see the fast-track service instructions for employers.
