In Finland, residence permits are issued based on various reasons, each with its own requirements and validity periods:
Residence permit for work: Requires a valid work contract. Typically valid for one year, but can also align with the duration of the work contract.
Residence permit for studies: Granted to students enrolled in educational programs. Valid for two years, or for the duration of the program if it’s less than two years. After studies, one can switch to a work permit or apply for a job-seeker visa.
Residence permit on the basis of family ties: Issued to individuals with family members in Finland, such as spouses, registered partners, children, or legal guardians. Validity period usually ranges from one to four years depending on circumstances.
Residence permit on other grounds: For situations not covered by the above categories, such as special circumstances or relationships, like dating someone with the intent of marriage.
Residence permit on the basis of reimmigration: Available to former Finnish citizens who wish to return to Finland, or individuals with Finnish roots or other connections to Finland.
EU Permanent Residence: Granted to residents who have lived continuously in Finland for at least five years under a valid permit. Conditions from the original permit must still be met. This type of residence permit is permanent.
These categories cater to various needs and circumstances, allowing individuals to legally reside and integrate into Finnish society based on their specific situation.
In Finland, the duration of a residence permit and the possibility of renewal or obtaining permanent residency are subject to specific conditions:
Initial residence permit: When first granted, residence permits are typically fixed-term, often valid for one year. You can renew and extend your permit as needed, provided that the original grounds for your permit remain valid.
Renewal of residence permit: You can renew your residence permit if it’s about to expire. An extended permit can be granted for up to four years, depending on your circumstances.
Permanent residence permit eligibility: After living in Finland for five years under a continuous A permit, you become eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit. The five-year period is counted from the first day your A permit was granted.
Counting residency period: If you held a continuous permit from the day you entered Finland, your residency period is counted from that day. This means that the five-year requirement for permanent residency starts from the first day of your continuous residency in Finland.
Benefits of the Finland Permanent Residence Permit
Long-Term Stability and Security:
1. Indefinite Stay:
With a permanent residence permit, you can live in Finland indefinitely, without the need for frequent permit renewals.
2. No Restrictions on Movement:
You are free to move and reside anywhere within Finland.
3. Pathway to Citizenship:
Permanent residency is a crucial step towards applying for Finnish citizenship.
4. Family Reunification:
You can bring your family members to Finland and apply for their residence permits.
If you lose your residence permit card
If you lose your Finnish residence permit card, report it to the police and apply for a replacement through the Enter Finland online service, attaching a copy of the police report. If you are abroad, report it to the authorities in the country where you lost it and to the police in Finland, and you may need to apply for a D visa to return.
Expired residence permit
If your Finnish residence permit is about to expire and you wish to continue staying in Finland, you need to apply for an extended permit before your current permit expires, and you can do so through the EnterFinland online service.
Work in Finland
Working in Finland offers a good work-life balance, strong social welfare, and a thriving job market, with opportunities in various sectors including technology, IT, and manufacturing, and a culture that values employee well-being.
Working in Finland offers a stable, progressive environment with strong social welfare programs, a flexible work culture, and good employee benefits. To work there, you’ll typically need a residence permit, which grants you the right to work, and may be unrestricted or have specific restrictions.
Labour mobility
Finland’s labor mobility policies aim to attract foreign workers, particularly skilled ones, to address labor shortages and promote economic growth, with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment playing a key role in this.
Residence permit for an employed person
To obtain a residence permit in Finland as an employed person, you must have a confirmed job offer and your employer must demonstrate that the position requires special expertise or a high salary (EUR 3,827 or more per month in 2025).
Other residence permits for working
For some jobs, you will not need a residence permit for an employed person, but will need a residence permit for a specific job. These jobs include, for example
- corporate leadership positions
- specialist posts
- researcher posts
- work in the field of science, culture or the arts
- traineeships.
Seasonal worker’s residence permit
A seasonal worker residence permit allows individuals to work in jobs that are only available during specific times of the year, typically in sectors like agriculture or tourism, and is issued for a limited duration, often up to 24 weeks.
Common Jobs in Finland
1. Nurses
2. General Practitioners
3. Early Childhood Educators
4. Audiologists and Speech Therapists
5. Dentists
6. Home-Based Personal Care Workers
7. Software Engineers
8. AI Specialists
9. Dentists
10. Social Workers
11. Accountants
12. Managers
13. Teachers
14. Tour Guides
15. Business Consultants:
16. Customer Service Representatives
17. Cloud Engineers
18. Retail Sales Associates
19. Social Workers
20. Healthcare Assistants
If you have completed a degree or research in Finland
After completing a degree or research in Finland, you can apply for a residence permit to look for work or start a business, and after 4 years of continuous residence, you can apply for permanent residence.
- Job Search: Utilize career services at your Finnish university for advice and access to internship and job opportunities.
Attend career fairs and events in your area. - Networking: Expand your network through traineeships, cooperation projects, or thesis work with companies.
Working without a residence permit
Regardless of your nationality, in some cases you may be able to work in Finland without a residence permit. You must, however, have a valid visa, if you need a visa to reside in Finland. You can work in Finland without a residence permit if, for example:
- you come to Finland on the basis of an invitation or contract to work as an interpreter, teacher, expert or a sports referee for a maximum of three months
- you are a permanent employee of a company operating in an EU/EEA state and are coming to Finland to perform temporary purchasing or subcontracting work, and your work will not take more than three months
- you are residing in Finland as an asylum seeker and have valid travel documents entitling you to cross the border. You can work without a residence permit when three months have passed since you submitted your asylum application
- you are residing in Finland as an asylum seeker and you have no valid travel documents entitling you to cross the border. You can work without a residence permit when you have resided in the country for six months
You can check at the Finnish Immigration Service website whether you can work in Finland without a residence permit.
Coraledu’s mission is to empower internationals to thrive in their lives abroad. We offer tailored work and settlement solutions designed to facilitate success for individuals and their employers worldwide, with a particular focus on Finland. Contact us to discover how we can support you or your employees in achieving both professional and personal fulfillment abroad.
