Finland is a stunningly beautiful natural wonderland. Finland is a terrific alternative for those wishing to relocate for a new job or simply desire a beautiful setting for their family.
Expats flock to Helsinki, the capital, since it offers a diverse range of professional and recreational opportunities.
The city offers a diverse range of job opportunities, large open areas, and easy access to most of Finland’s natural beauty.
In the next four years, Finland will require more than 10,000 new software engineers, as well as more than 30,000 people in the maritime and automobile manufacturing industries.
To continue on the path to economic growth, the country is considering employing a large number of foreign workers to fill these open positions.
Those wishing to work here can choose from a variety of Finland work visa alternatives.
Work visa options
Before working in Finland, citizens from countries outside the European Union (EU) must apply for a residence permit. The type of permission they’ll need is determined by the type of work they’ll be undertaking for their employer. There are three types of Finland work visa:
To obtain a Finland work permit, each employee will need:
The procedure begins when the employee is offered a job with a Finnish firm.
Before arriving in Finland, the employee must apply for a residence permit, which can be done online using the Enter Finland website. Within three months after filing the application, the employee must visit a Finnish diplomatic mission. Original copies of the documents, as well as supporting documentation and his fingerprints, must be presented. The Employment and Economic Development Office will assess your application. After establishing that the employee meets all requirements for a residence visa, the Finnish Immigration Service, or Migri, will make the final decision. The employee and the employer will get written notice of the decision.
After this, the employee will receive a residence permit card from the Finnish embassy. The first permit is valid for one year and can be renewed later.
Yes, you certainly can. You can request an extension every year or every four years, depending on the type of permission you have. A temporary permit must be renewed every year, whereas a continuous permit must be renewed every four years.
At least three months before your permission expires, you should request an extension.
You can apply for a residence permit after living with a continuous permission for around 5 years, which is valid permanently unless there is a reason to revoke your residence.
You cannot change employers if you apply for a work permit based on a specific employer. You must apply for a new work permit if you want to change employers.
You should have no problems if you applied for a work permit that allows you to change jobs whenever you want, but make sure you tick the right to work based on the permit when you apply.
You must select the ‘several employers’ option in your application if you want to work for various employers.
Processing times can vary, but it typically takes a few months. It's advisable to check the current processing times on the Finnish Immigration Service's website or contact them for the most accurate information.
Yes, after a certain period of continuous residence in Finland, work permit holders may apply for permanent residency. Generally, you must have lived in Finland for at least four years with a residence permit.
The minimum salary requirement varies depending on the type of permit and job sector. The Finnish Immigration Service provides specific thresholds, which are updated regularly.