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Applying for a residence permit in Finland

Choosing the right application 

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.

 

 

enterfinland.fi

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

 

Applying for a residence permit? Prepare for your visit to a service point!

Asylum, migration and integration fund. Supported by European Union.