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First residence permit

When you apply for your first residence permit in Finland, the right application form for you depends on your reason for coming to Finland:

You will find the application form at the bottom of the application page of each residence permit. If you are not sure which application form you should use, use the Application Finder to find out.

You must apply for your residence permit personally. You cannot for example apply for a residence permit for your spouse or employee.

Apply for a first residence permit abroad

Applications for a first residence permit must usually be submitted abroad, not in Finland. The applicant must also prove his or her identity at a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate) abroad.

However, you can apply for a first residence permit while you are in Finland in the following cases: 

  • You are a family member of a Finnish citizen.
  • You apply for a residence permit for a child born in Finland.
  • You are a victim of human trafficking.
  • You are a victim of labour exploitation. 
  • You need a residence permit on a discretionary basis on humanitarian grounds.
  • You are applying for asylum or temporary protection. 

In situations other than the ones listed above, you will usually get a negative decision if you submit your application for a first residence permit while in Finland.

If you apply for a residence permit in Finland, you must reside legally in Finland when you submit your application

You can wait for a decision on your application in Finland only if you reside in Finland legally when you apply for a residence permit. If your residence in Finland is not legal when you submit your application, you must leave Finland.

Your residence in Finland is legal when you have a valid residence permit.

Your residence in Finland is legal also when you have stayed in Finland for no more than 90 days in a 180-day period and one of the following applies:

  • You have a valid visa.
  • You hold a valid Schengen residence permit granted by another country.
  • You are not required to have a visa due to your citizenship.

If you already hold a residence permit, submit an application for an extended permit or a permanent residence permit in Finland before your current permit expires. 

Citizens of an EU Member State, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland must register their right of residence in Finland. Read more on the page Registration of right of residence.

If you receive a negative decision

If you are in Finland and receive a negative decision on your residence permit application, you must leave Finland. Usually, a negative decision is accompanied by a decision on your removal from the country, meaning either a decision on denial of admittance or stay or a deportation decision. You cannot extend your stay in Finland by submitting a new residence permit application.

If you wish to apply for a new residence permit, you must leave Finland and apply for a first residence permit abroad. For more information, see the page Denial of admittance or stay, deportation, entry ban. 

This is what you should do

1

Make sure you meet the requirements for the residence permit you are applying for.

2

Make sure you have all the attachments needed. If necessary, have them translated and legalised. The processing time may be longer if you have not filled in your application sufficiently.

3

Fill in your application in the online service Enter Finland or use a paper application form.

4

Pay for your application in the online service Enter Finland or at a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate).

5

Prove your identity.

6

Wait for a decision. The Finnish Immigration Service will contact you if necessary.

7

Read what happens after you have applied. Check the estimated processing time of your application. In addition, you will usually receive automated messages at the different processing stages of your application

General requirements for entry into Finland

Make sure you meet the general requirements for entry into Finland before you submit an application.