Frequently asked questions: Extended permit
My first residence permit is expiring shortly. Where do I apply for an extension, and what form do I use?
The form you select depends on the basis on which you are applying for the extension. Read instructions how to choose the right form on the page I want to extend my residence permit.
I am abroad, and cannot come to Finland to apply for an extended permit. What should I do?
You can only apply for an extended permit if you are in Finland.
If you submit your application for a residence permit abroad and visit a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate) to prove your identity, your application will be processed as a first residence permit application. The fee charged is the processing fee for a first residence permit application.
You will find more information about applying for an extended permit on the page Extended permit.
If I apply for an extended permit, may I stay in Finland while I wait for the decision?
If your current residence permit is going to expire and you want to continue your stay in Finland, apply for an extended permit and submit the application in Finland before your current residence permit expires. If you submit the application for an extended permit in time, you are allowed to stay and wait for the decision.
There must be a valid reason for a late application if you apply for a new residence permit after your previous permit has already expired.
- Such a reason can be, for instance, a severe illness that has prevented you from submitting the application in time. We will also consider the length of the illegal residence when we assess your late application. You may wait for the decision in Finland, unless you have earlier received a decision on removal from the country and have been ordered to leave Finland. Read more about applying for an extended permit from the page Extended permit.
I applied for an extended permit but my previous residence permit expired before I submitted the application. Will I get a negative decision?
When you apply for an extended permit, you must be residing legally in Finland. This means that you must have a valid residence permit when you apply for an extended permit. When we assess your application, we will consider whether we can grant you a residence permit despite your illegal residence in Finland.
Because your previous permit had already expired before you applied for a new residence permit, you must have a valid reason for a late application.
- Such a reason can be, for instance, a severe illness that has prevented you from submitting the application in time. We will also consider the length of the illegal residence when we assess your late application. You may wait for the decision in Finland, unless you have earlier received a decision on removal from the country and have been ordered to leave Finland.
I have submitted an application for an extended permit in the online service Enter Finland before my current residence permit has expired. I am not able to book an appointment at a service point before my current residence permit expires. Can I wait for the decision in Finland?
You can wait for your decision in Finland.
You have submitted your application in Enter Finland before the expiration of your current residence permit, which means that you have applied for an extended permit in time.
You still need to prove your identity in order for us to be able to start processing your application for an extended permit.
Book an appointment at one of our service points in our appointment system as soon as there are available appointment times. You are required to visit a service point to prove your identity within three months of the date when you submitted your application.
We cannot start processing your application before you have proved your identity.
Extended permit for studies
I am about to graduate, but my residence permit for studies will expire before I get my degree certificate. What should I do? On what grounds can I apply for an extended permit? Do I need to apply for an extended permit for studies for 2–3 months, or can I already apply for an extended permit based on a completed degree or qualification?
Apply for an extended permit on the basis of studies if you have not yet completed all courses or if you have not yet finished your thesis.
You can apply for a residence permit for work or to look for work on the basis of your degree or qualification once you have completed your studies and have successfully passed all courses and are only waiting for the degree certificate. Once you receive the certificate, submit it to the Finnish Immigration Service as an attachment to your residence permit application. Check the permit requirements to see the deadline for submitting the certificate.
What kind of an insurance do I need?
All insurance must meet the following requirements:
- The insurance excess may not be more than EUR 300.
- If you stay in Finland for less than year, your insurance must be valid throughout your entire stay in Finland.
- If your studies in Finland take longer than a year, your insurance must be valid without a break for at least one year. There cannot be any restrictions on the validity of your insurance. It must be valid throughout your entire stay in Finland. This means that the insurance cannot be a regular travel insurance that is only valid during trips that last a maximum of 90 days.
- If you get a residence permit for two years but your insurance is only valid for a year, remember to renew your insurance.
- Your insurance must be valid when you arrive in Finland.
The required amount of insurance depends on the duration of your studies in Finland. If your studies in Finland take less than 2 years (less than 4 semesters), your insurance must cover medical expenses up to EUR 120,000.
If your studies in Finland take at least 2 years, your insurance must cover pharmaceutical expenses up to EUR 40,000.
Read more on the page Insurances.
How much money do I need for living in Finland?
You need to have at least 800 euros per month at your disposal to be able to pay for your accommodation, food and other needs.
In your application, provide documentation proving that you have sufficient funds to live in Finland for the first year of the validity of the extended permit.
- A deposit in a Finnish bank account is the easiest and most reliable way to show that you have sufficient financial resources.
If your educational institution supports your living in Finland, you do not necessarily need to have 800 euros per month at your disposal. When applying for an extended permit, your income from work can also be taken into account. Read more on the page Income requirement for students.
How can I change my B permit to an A permit?
Students studying for a higher education degree can be issued with a continuous residence permit, an A permit, in Finland. Students who study for some other degree are issued with a temporary residence permit, a B permit.
You can change your B permit to an A permit, if
- you submit a new residence permit application
- you meet the conditions for the residence permit, and
- you study for a degree at a higher education institution in Finland.
If you do not study in a study programme that leads to a higher education degree, you cannot be issued with an A permit.
Read more on the page Residence permit types.
How much am I allowed to work?
Residence permit for studies enables you to work without restrictions if your work is related to your degree. This means practical training or diploma work as part of the degree. In addition, you may work in paid employment for a maximum of 30 hours per week. The number of working hours can be exceeded some weeks, as long as the average working hours are no more than 30 hours per week at the end of the year.
Students can not work without restrictions during holidays or at the times when the educational institution offers no instruction.
I have had a residence permit to look for work. I lived in my home country for a while after having been granted a residence permit to look for work. Can I apply for an extended permit to look for work? Or can I apply for a new residence permit to look for work?
You can apply for an extended permit to look for work. You can get the permit for a maximum of 2 years and you can take the permit in 3 parts. In other words, you can still take 2 of the 3 parts. Please note that the last part must end within 3 years from the date when the first part started.
If you are abroad, apply for this permit as a first residence permit. If you wish to apply for an extended permit, you must submit the application before your current permit expires.
Read more on the page Residence permit to look for work.
What type of a permit can my family members get?
If you are granted a residence permit for studies, your spouse and children can be granted a residence permit on the basis of family ties. Your family members can get a first residence permit for a maximum of 1 year and an extended permit for a maximum of 4 years.
If you study for a degree at a higher education institution, even your family members can be granted a continuous (A) residence permit. The duration of family members’ first A permit can be 1 year at the most. The duration of family members’ extended permit can be 4 years at the most.
Extended permit on the basis of work
I have applied for an extended permit before 1 April 2025 when legislative amendments enter into force. What should I do if my application is processed after 1 April 2025 and I have stated in my application that my salary is less than 1,600 euros?
When processing applications, the Finnish Immigration Service applies the salary requirement that is currently valid. The legislative amendments are not subject to a transitional period. If your application for an extended permit for an employed person was submitted before 1 April 2025, but the application will be processed after 1 April 2025 and the salary requirement is not met, your employer can supplement your application with details that comply with the new salary requirement. If your monthly salary is not at least 1,600 euros after your application has been supplemented, you will receive a negative decision on your application.
I applied for an extended permit before my previous permit expired but the decision was negative. Can I still continue my business activities?
If you received a deportation decision at the same time, you are allowed to pursue a trade until your deportation matter becomes enforceable. Read more on the page Deportation and denial of admittance or stay.