Residence permit

If you come to Finland from outside the European union for more than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit.

As a rule, you must submit your application for a first residence permit abroad and visit a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate) to prove your identity. Read more on the page Proving your identity abroad. Applications for a first residence permit can be submitted in Finland only in certain exceptional situations. Read more about how to apply for a first residence permit.

If you plan to work, you may need a residence permit even if your stay will be shorter than 90 days.

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

If you are a citizen of an EU Member State, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you do not need a residence permit for Finland but you must register your right of residence in Finland. Read more on the page Registration of right of residence.

If your first residence permit is going to expire but you want to stay in Finland, apply for an extended permit or a permanent residence permit in good time. Submit the application before your previous permit expires. The decision may be negative if you do not apply for extension before your previous permit expires.