Finland Work Visa – Eligibility Requirements, Application, Types & FAQs

Finland provides numerous job options. It is ranked as the eighth richest country in Europe, and a large number of people would prefer to work in Finland. Third-country nationals, however, require a Finland work visa in order to freely work there.

The work visa differs from other visas in that it is a long-term authorization that allows the holder to stay for longer than the standard 90-day maximum.

Do I Need a Visa to Work in Finland?

If you aren’t from any of these countries listed below you need a visa:

• The Schengen Area and the EEA/EU.
• The Nordic countries.
• The US., New Zealand, Australia, San Marino, the Vatican, Republic of Andorra, and Japan.

Finland also has a visa facilitation agreement with other countries.

Those who don’t need a visa to work in Finland can only work for 90 days, afterward, they have to register as a working resident in Finland.

Eligibility Requirements for a Finland Work Visa

In order to qualify for a work visa in Finland you need to meet some specific criteria:

• You must have a valid work contract in Finland.
• You must have a university degree (except for seasonal work).
• You must work professionally in your field.
• You must be clear of any criminal charges.
• You must not be a danger to Finland.
• You must uphold all Finnish laws.
• You must not be subjected to any travel bans in the Schengen Area.
• For a specialist visa: You must qualify as a highly-skilled worker.
• For welfare and healthcare: You must be authorized to practice your profession.
• For an entrepreneur visa: You are self-employed in the form of:
• a private entrepreneur.
• a partner in a general partnership.
• a general partner in a limited partnership.
• a member of a cooperative who has unlimited liability for refinancing.
• an entrepreneur in a limited liability company.
• For a start-up visa: You must have a start-up plan and financial support.
• For specialist visa and EU Blue Card:
• You must have a salary higher than average.
• You must have high competence in completing the required work
• For a researcher visa: You must hold a valid certificate proving your researcher status.
• For scientific research: You must have an invitation to work on a scientific project.
• For religious work: Your employer must be a registered association.
• For au pair work: You must be between the ages of 17-30.

How to Apply for a Finland Work Visa?

Here is a list of the steps you need to take when you apply for a Finland work visa:

• Find a job.
• Apply for the work permit.
• Visit a local Finnish mission.
• Wait for an answer.
• Go to Finland.

Find a job

Before you apply for your work visa you must find a job in Finland. It’s obligatory to present a valid work contract with the rest of the application. Without work, you won’t be receiving a positive answer regarding your visa.

Apply for the work permit.

Once you have secured a job in Finland, then you can apply for a work permit. You can apply for the permit through the e-service online, or you can apply on paper. The e-services applications are easier to go through.

Visit a local Finnish Mission

Here, you must send the original documents you submitted to your e-service application (passport, civil documents, travel insurance, etc.). Fingerprints are also required.

When applying for the e-service, you must pay the application cost. You must attend an Immigration Service service point in Finland if you applied there. Bring your paper application, any relevant documents, and the fee when you submit it.

*Please make sure that the necessary documents are translated if they are not in English, Finnish or Swedish, and legalized if required.

Wait for an answer

Know that your application will be processed twice. First, an Employment and Economic Development Office will review and partially decide your application. After that, the Finnish Immigration Service will decide on your application.

Applying abroad prevents you from visiting Finland to await a judgment. Even if your visa expires, you can wait for the decision in Finland.

If you applied online, the Immigration Office in Finland will notify you via the e-service, while if you applied on paper, the organization will send the decision to your local Finnish mission in your place of residence, which will notify you via email or letter.

Employment-based residence permits are mailed to your country’s embassy, where you can pick them up and go to Finland.

Go to Finland

Once your residence card has been issued your personal info will automatically be recorded in the Finnish Population Information System. When you arrive in Finland you can start working as soon as you want.

What Is the Duration of a Work Visa for Finland?

A work visa given by Finnish authorities typically lasts around a year. However, the length will vary based on the sort of visa you have.

If you hold a B permit, often known as a temporary permission, it is only valid for one year. If you hold an A permit, also known as a continuous permit, it is valid for the duration of your employment in Finland.

Can I Extend a Finland Work Permit?

You certainly can. Depending on the type of permission, you can request for an extension once a year or once every four years. A temporary permission must be renewed every year, whereas a continuous permit must be renewed every four years.

You must apply for a permit extension at least three months before it expires.

After around 5 years of living with a continuous permit, you can apply for a residence permit that is valid eternally until your residence is revoked.

Can I Switch Employers With a Finland Work Visa?

If you applied for a work permit on the basis of a specific employer then you can’t switch employers. If you want to change your employers then you must apply for a new work permit.

If you applied for a work permit that allows you to switch work as you wish, you should have no problems, but make sure you check beforehand the right to work based on the permit when you apply.

If you want to work for multiple employers you must add the ‘several employers’ option to your application.

Other Types of Finnish Work Visas

There are several types of Finnish work visas, some types will vary on the kind of work you’re qualified for, while some will vary based on the length of duration.

• Job-seekers visa.
• EU Blue Card.
• Entrepreneur.
• Start-up entrepreneur.
• Specialist.
• Religious work.
• Au Pair.
• Seasonal work.

Finnish job seekers visa

You can apply for a job-seekers visa if you have completed a degree program in Finland. This visa is valid for one year and permits you to stay in Finland while looking for work.

Once you have a legitimate work contract, you can apply for a temporary or continuous permission.

EU Blue Card

The Finish EU Blue Card is issued to highly qualified individuals who seek to work in Finland. In addition to the usual qualifications, you must have a higher education degree and a job wage that exceeds the average. Your gross monthly income must be at least €4,929 per month.

This sort of licence given by Finland allows you to work solely in Finland and not in other Schengen countries. This visa normally lasts roughly two years and must be renewed every two years as long as you have a job.

Finland entrepreneur visa

In order to qualify for this type of permit you must be:

• A private entrepreneur.
• A partner in a general partnership.
• A general partner in a limited partnership.
• A member of a cooperative who has unlimited liability for refinancing.
• An entrepreneur in a limited liability company.

This permit is appropriate for freelancers and light-entrepreneurs. You are a freelancer if you work for multiple contractors without a regular job. The self-employed who engages in entrepreneurship are light-entrepreneurs.

A Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre) will assess your business’s profitability to grant you a work permit.

Remember to register your business in the Finnish Patent and Registration Office’s Trade Register if you acquire this work permit.

Finland start-up entrepreneur visa

You qualify for this type of permit if you have a start-up business. But, keep in mind that before you apply for this permit you must have a positive Eligibility Statement from Business Finland.

Finland specialist visa

You should apply for this permit if you qualify for the category of a highly skilled worker that can work as an expert in any field in Finland. Your income salary should be at least €3,000 per month for this permit.

Finland religious work visa

You can apply for this work permit if you are working for a religious association. But, your employer must be a registered group, and you must have a valid work contract.

Finland Au Pair visa

This type of permit is usually given with the goal of helping young individuals between the ages of 17 and 30 get acquainted with the Finnish culture and language by having them work with a host family in Finland.

Finland Seasonal work visa

For seasonal work, you have to apply for a short-term visa. This visa is usually valid only for three months.

Can I Bring My Family to Finland if I Have a Work Visa?

Yes, your family members can apply for a residence permit on the basis of family ties as long as you have a valid work visa.

How Much Does a Finnish Work Visa Cost?

If you apply through the electronic service then the payment fee is €490, however, if you apply on paper that’s more expensive; €690.

When Can I Apply for Permanent Residence?

After you’ve lived for five years with a continuous permit you can apply for a permanent residence.

When Can I Apply for Finland Citizenship?

After 5 years of continuous residence in Finland, you can petition for Finnish citizenship. To be eligible for citizenship, you must hold a continuous permit.