Permanent residence permit
A permanent residence permit is valid until further notice. In other words, its period of validity is not limited. You can get a permanent residence permit if:
- you have lived in Finland for an uninterrupted period of 4 years with a continuous residence permit (an A permit); and
- the requirements for issuing a continuous residence permit are still met.
- You cannot be granted a permanent residence permit for studies or to look for work.
- However, if you have been granted an extended permit for studies or to look for work, you may apply for a permanent residence permit on some other grounds if you meet the conditions of the permit you apply for. You may, for example, get a permanent residence permit on the grounds of family or work. Read more about the grounds for an extended permit.
The time period of 4 years begins:
- on the day of your entry into Finland if you had a continuous residence permit when you came to Finland; or
- on the first day of your first continuous residence permit if that application was submitted in Finland; or
- on the day of your entry into Finland if you have been granted a continuous residence permit on the basis of refugee status or subsidiary protection.
If you have not yet spent the required four years in Finland, you can apply for a new fixed-term residence permit (extended permit).
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Permanent residence permit application
Continuous period of residence in Finland is required
If you apply for a permanent residence permit, the period of residence in Finland must be continuous, which means that:
- you need to have had a continuous residence permit for 4 years without any interruptions between permits, meaning that you have applied for an extended permit before your previous permit has expired; and
- you need to have resided in Finland for at least 2 years during the past 4 years.
The following types of absence from Finland do not interrupt your continuous residence:
- Ordinary holiday or other travel outside Finland.
- Work at a work site abroad on secondment by a Finnish employer.
You can get a permanent residence permit if you have grounds for a continuous residence permit
In order to get a permanent residence permit, you must have the grounds for and meet the requirements for a continuous residence permit (an A permit). In most cases, your grounds for a permanent residence permit are the same as they were for your previous, continuous residence permit.
It is also possible to apply for a permanent residence permit on new grounds. In that case, please make sure that you meet the requirements for the residence permit for which you apply. You may get a permanent residence permit on the grounds of family or work, for example.
Permanent residence permits are not granted for studies or for looking for work. This means that if you hold an extended permit for studies or to look for work and wish to apply for a permanent residence permit, you must have grounds for some other continuous residence permit (A permit) and meet the requirements for that permit.
If you have committed crimes, you will not necessarily be granted a permanent residence permit.
Applications for a permanent residence permit can only be submitted in Finland
If you submit your application abroad, you will not be granted a permanent residence permit. If you submit your application abroad, your application will be processed as an application for a first residence permit and the application will be subject to a processing fee for a first permit.
Apply for a permanent residence permit while your continuous residence permit is still valid
You must apply for a permanent residence permit before your previous residence permit expires. However, you should not apply for a permanent residence permit before you are 3 months away from completing your four-year period of residence. If you apply earlier, we may not necessarily be able to assess whether you meet the requirements for a permanent residence permit and may be unable to grant the permit.
If you only apply for a permanent residence permit after your previous residence permit has expired, you cannot get a permanent residence permit. In such a case, you may apply for a new extended permit instead.
You can stay legally in Finland during the processing of your application
If you get a negative decision and choose to appeal against it, it is legal for you to reside in Finland during the appeal process. If you cannot be granted a permanent residence permit but you meet the requirements for a continuous (A) residence permit, the Finnish Immigration Service will consider whether you could be granted a new extended permit.
Right to work
You may continue working while your application for a permanent residence permit is being processed if you submit your application before your previous permit expires and:
- you have a residence permit for an employed person (TTOL) and you still work for the same employer or in the same field of work; or
- your right to work is based on another residence permit, such as a residence permit on the basis of family ties or studies.
- If you apply for a permanent residence permit after your previous residence permit has expired, you are not allowed to continue working.
- Read more about the right to work while your permanent residence permit application is being processed.
After you get a permanent residence permit, you have an unrestricted right to work.
EU residence permit (P-EU)
A long-term resident’s EU residence permit issued to a third-country national is also a permanent permit that is valid until further notice.
You may apply for an EU residence permit after you have lived in Finland for an uninterrupted period of 5 years with a continuous (A) residence permit or a permanent (P) residence permit. You must have sufficient financial resources regardless of the grounds on which you apply for the EU residence permit. Read more about the requirements and application for an EU residence permit.
Right of permanent residence of EU citizens and their family members
EU citizens have the right of permanent residence in Finland after they have legally resided in Finland for an uninterrupted period of 5 years. A family member of an EU citizen has the right of permanent residence in Finland after he or she has legally resided in Finland with the EU citizen in question for an uninterrupted period of 5 years.
New residence permit card from a service point
If you already have a permanent residence permit but your residence permit card expires, is broken or gets lost, do not apply for a new permanent residence permit. Instead, you need a new residence permit card. Read the instructions for applying for a new card before you book an appointment for visiting a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.
Application process when you are applying for a permanent residence permit
Submit the application in the e-service Enter Finland or on paper.
After you have filled in the application, you must visit a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.
- If you have applied through the e-service, visit the Finnish Immigration Service to prove your identity, have your fingerprints taken and show the originals of the documents that you have attached to your application. If you submit your application through the e-service, pay for it there or when you visit a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.
- If you have filled in a paper application, bring the application with you. Have your fingerprints taken, prove your identity and show the originals of the documents that you have attached to your application. Pay for your application at the service point.
You can find the expected processing times on the page Processing times. You may also use the Processing Time Checker to get an estimate on the remaining processing time 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.
You may legally reside in Finland during the processing of your application and the possible appeal process.
If you need to supplement your application, you can do so in one of the following ways:
- Electronic application
- Send the additional information in the e-service through the page "Send additional information". This is the only way you can supplement an electronic application.
- If you submitted a paper application:
- by post
- by email
- by bringing your additional documents to a service point or an office of the Finnish Immigration Service during their opening hours. There is a postbox meant for additional documents in all of our service points. Put your documents in the box.
Read more on the page Processing of applications.
You may cancel your application at any time during its processing. Read more on the page Cancelling an application.
If you have applied for a residence permit through the e-service Enter Finland, you will get an e-mail or a text message when a decision has been made. You will also see it in your user account in the e-service.
If you applied for a residence permit by submitting a paper application, you will be informed about the decision by the police, or the Finnish Immigration Service will inform you about it by post.
Some decisions will be sent by post with an advice of delivery. Read more about collecting your letter on the Advice of delivery page.
If you get a positive decision, you will get a residence permit card.
If you receive a negative residence permit decision and a decision on your removal from the country, you must leave Finland.
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.