Permanent residence permit
A permanent residence permit is valid until further notice.
On this page, you will find information about permanent residence permits. The application form for a permanent residence permit and more information about applying can be found on the page Application for a permanent residence permit.
When can I apply for a permanent residence permit?
You can apply for 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 your current continuous residence permit are still met.
The time period of 4 years begins on one of the following days:
- on the day of your entry into Finland if you applied for your first residence permit abroad and received a continuous residence permit (an A permit); 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 4 years in Finland, you can apply for a new extended permit. For more information about applying for an extended permit, see the page Extended permit.
You can apply for a permanent residence permit as soon as you meet the requirement concerning the period of residence. If you wish, you can submit your application approximately 3 months before meeting the requirement. You do not need to wait until your current residence permit expires if you meet the requirement before that.
If you are a family member of an EU citizen and have resided legally in Finland together with the EU citizen for a continuous period of 5 years, you do not need to apply for a permanent residence permit. Instead, you can apply for a permanent residence card. You will also need to meet the rest of the requirements for obtaining a residence card.
Continuous period of residence in Finland is required
There cannot be any gaps between your continuous residence permits (A permits). The grounds on which your continuous residence permits were granted may change during the four-year period – from work to family ties, for example.
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 gaps between your permits; 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.
List all the trips you have made outside Finland in your application, including their destination, length and purpose.
Apply for a permanent residence permit before your current residence permit expires. If your previous residence permit has already expired, you cannot get a permanent residence permit.
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 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 continuous residence permit.
You can also apply for a permanent residence permit on new grounds. if you meet the requirements for the residence permit in question. 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). Make sure you meet the requirements for the permit. For more information about the grounds for an extended permit, see the page Extended permit.
If you have committed crimes, it may not be possible for you to get a permanent residence permit. Read more about the impact of crimes on getting a residence permit. If you cannot get a permanent residence permit because of crimes, for example, we will consider whether you can get a new continuous residence permit (an A permit). We will consider this if your current residence permit has expired or will expire within approximately 3 months.
Applications for a permanent residence permit can only be submitted in Finland
Apply for a permanent residence permit in Finland. If you submit your application abroad, you cannot get 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 processing fee will be the same as for an application for a first permit.
After applying
Wait for the decision. You may not be able to travel outside Finland if your current residence permit expires during the processing of your application for a permanent residence permit.
You can use our Processing Time Checker to find out the estimated processing time.
New residence permit card
If you have a permanent residence permit and your residence permit card is about to expire, you do not need to apply for a new permanent residence permit. Apply for a new residence permit card instead. A permanent residence permit card must be renewed every 5 years.
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 are granted a residence permit, you will receive 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.