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Coming to Finland for work

If you plan to work or to engage in business activities in Finland, you will usually need a residence permit.

There are different residence permit applications for different types of work. You will find the requirements of each permit and the application instructions on the application page of the permit in question. If you are not sure which application you should choose, you can use the Application Finder to find out.

As a rule, if there is no specific residence permit application for your work, you must apply for a residence permit for an employed person

For a list of all work-based residence permit applications, see the page Residence permits on the basis of work.

See our video on how to select the right application on the basis of employment.

If you already have a residence permit that has been granted on other grounds than work 

If you have already been granted a residence permit on other grounds than work, it may include a right to work. If your residence permit includes the right to work, you will usually not need a separate permit for work. To find out whether you have the right to work, see your residence permit decision and your residence permit card. Read more on the page Work in Finland.

Seasonal work

If you are coming to Finland to do seasonal work, you must apply for the appropriate permit for it. The different kinds of seasonal work permits are visa for seasonal work, certificate for seasonal work and residence permit for seasonal work. The duration of your work will affect which seasonal work permit you need to apply for.

Seasonal work refers to work in agriculture and tourism that is tied to a certain time of the year. Read more on the page Seasonal work.

By using the fast-track service, you can get a residence permit in two weeks

You can fast-track your residence permit application, if you are coming to Finland to work  

  • as a specialist
  • as a specialist or manager  with an ICT residence permit 
  • in top or middle management of a company
  • with an EU Blue Card  
  • as a start-up entrepreneur.

Even your spouse and children can apply at the same time and fast-track their applications. 

Fast-track applications can be submitted only in the online service Enter Finland. For more information, see the page Fast track.

Family members

If you are granted a residence permit for work, your family may usually apply for a residence permit on the basis of family ties. Read the application page to find out if your family members may get residence permits on the basis of family ties.

Your salary must be sufficient for living in Finland

When you apply for a residence permit in order to work in Finland, you must be paid an appropriate salary for your work. Read more on the page Income requirement.

The D visa allows you to travel to Finland immediately after being issued with a residence permit

You should apply for a D visa at the same time as you apply for a residence permit. You can apply for a D visa if you are coming to Finland to work and will have one the following permits:

Your spouse and children can also apply for a D visa if they are applying for a residence permit on the basis of family ties.

Read more about the D visa
 

Application process when you are applying for your first residence permit on the basis of work

Residence permit for an employed person (TTOL)

1. The employee has found a job in Finland.

2. The employee submits an application in the e-service Enter Finland or fills in a paper form.

Enterfinland.fi »

3. The employee visits a Finnish mission abroad or a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service in Finland to prove his or her identity.

4. The application is processed in two stages:

An Employment and Economic Development Office makes a partial decision. After this, the Finnish Immigration Service processes the application and makes a decision.

5a. Positive decision:

The employee is informed of the decision through the e-service or the Finnish mission. The employer is also informed of the decision. The employee can start working.

5b. Negative decision:

The employee is informed of the decision. The employer is also informed of the decision. The employee may appeal the decision to an administrative court.

6. The employee may later apply for an extended permit.

Employed person, other residence permit (for example specialist, top or middle management of a company, researcher)

1. The employee has found a job in Finland.

2. The employee submits an application in the e-service Enter Finland or fills in a paper form.

Enterfinland.fi »

3. The employee visits a Finnish mission abroad or a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service in Finland to prove his or her identity.

4. The Finnish Immigration Service processes the application and makes a decision.

5a. Positive decision:

The employee is informed of the decision through the e-service or the Finnish mission. The employer is also informed of the decision. The employee can start working.

5b. Negative decision:

The employee is informed of the decision. The employer is also informed of the decision. The employee may appeal the decision to an administrative court.

6. The employee may later apply for an extended permit.

Prepare for your life in Finland