Finnish Immigration Service

The Finnish Immigration Service

The Finnish Immigration Service is a decision-making organisation in matters related to immigration, asylum, refugee status and citizenship and maintains the reception system. The agency implements the Finnish immigration policy and promotes well-managed immigration, good administration and human and basic rights.

The Finnish Immigration Service provides specialist and information services in support of political decision-making and for national and international cooperation. The Finnish Immigration Service participates as a specialist in the discussion about immigration.

Tasks of the Finnish Immigration Service:

• matters related to foreign nationalsʼ entry into Finland, residence in the country, refugee status and citizenship
• register of foreign nationals
• produces information for authorities and international organisation

Information about the EU registration and the residence permit application process

To register your right of residence or apply for a residence permit, please check our website:

• EU registration (free movement)
• First residence permit

By clicking the YouTube -link icon above, you will find a video on how to select the right application when applying for a residence permit on the basis of work.

More broadcasts can be found on the Maahanmuuttovirasto - YouTube channel.

EU citizens

Do I need to apply for a residence permit?

• No. If you are a citizen of an EU Member State, a Nordic country, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, you do not need a residence permit to stay in Finland. You can stay and work freely in Finland for up to three months. You need to have a valid identity card or passport. However, you need to register your right of residence at the Finnish Immigration Service if you stay in Finland for longer than three months. Read more: migri.fi/en/eu-citizen

I found a job in Finland. Can I start to work immediately? 

• Yes. Don’t forget to register your right of residence after three months.

How can I take my family with me? 

• Your family members should also register their right of residence if they are EU citizens.  If your family member is not an EU citizen, read more: migri.fi/en/residence-card-for-family-members

I am a citizen of the United Kingdom. Should I register my residence or apply for a residence permit?

• The United Kingdom has left the European Union. The application period for the right of residence under the withdrawal agreement, or the ‘Brexit permit’, ended on 30 September 2021.  After this date, you will need to apply for a residence permit. Read more: migri.fi/en/brexit/en

Non-EU citizens 

Which permit type should I apply for and how to apply?

• The right permit type depends on a number of factors, including the nature and duration of your employment, as well as the salary you will receive. See all our applications for residence permits issued on the basis of work on our website: migri.fi/en/coming-to-finland-for-work/applications
• You apply for a residence permit from your home country. Easiest way to apply is through Enter Finland -online service: enterfinland.fi
• You can use our Application Finder to find out which application is right for you: migri.fi/i-want-to-apply

I have completed a degree or my research work in Finland and found a job. Which permit type is right for me? 

• You may apply for a permit based on your Finnish degree or completed research work.

I have completed a degree or my research work in Finland but I have not found a job yet. What can I do?

• You may apply for a permit to look for work.

I have a residence permit card to another Schengen country. Can I start to work in Finland with this permit?

• In general, you are not allowed to work in Finland for long periods with a residence permit issued by some other country than Finland. 
• In some cases, it is possible to work in Finland with a residence permit granted by another Schengen country or without a residence permit. Read more: migri.fi/en/work-without-residence-permit

How long do I have to wait for a residence permit decision?

• The processing times vary according to the permit type applied for. 
• For information on average processing times, see the application page. 

I have completed a degree outside of the European Union. Will it be accepted? 

• Degrees completed in other countries can be accepted.
• Your employer must verify that you have the professional skills required for the job. Your employer must document this when adding the terms of employment to your application. 

I am a non-EU citizen with a job offer and my spouse is an EU citizen. Which permit should I apply for? 

• If your spouse lives in or is about to move to Finland with you, you can apply for a residence card for a family member. If you move to Finland alone, please apply for a residence permit.

What is the income requirement?

• You will find all the income requirements for different residence permits on the relevant application page.  For family members, see: migri.fi/en/income-requirement-for-family-members-of-a-person-who-has-been-granted-a-residence-permit-in-finland