Residence and work permits

The Finnish Immigration Service grants the residence permits for workers and students.  However, you should first send your application with the attachments to the Consulate General in New York or Los Angeles or the Embassy of Finland, Washington D.C. depending on your jurisdiction. The Embassy or Consulate will gather and check the documents before forwarding them for further processing to the Immigration Service. Please, read and follow the instructions carefully as incomplete applications will not be processed.

For more information visit the website of Finnish Immigration Service.

Student's residence permit 
Cimo or Fulbright program participant's residence permit
Worker's residence permit 
Residence permits on family ties to Finland 
Application form
Processing fees

 

Student's residence permit

To study in Finland for more than 3 months you must apply for and obtain a residence permit before leaving for Finland. Citizens of the Nordic countries do not need a residence permit and citizens of EU/EEA countries will be issued residence permits by their local police.


One set of documents will remain in the Embassy or Consulate and the other set will be sent to Finland to the Immigration Service. Thus to apply for a residence permit for study purposes bring or send all the following documents to the Embassy or Consulate in duplicate:

1. Completed application form (OLE 101) for a residence permit. Please remember to state the exact dates of your intended stay in Finland and sign your applications. Application forms cannot be faxed, they must be the originals. 


2. Appendix: Clarification on studies (OLE 104).
   
   
3. Two passport sized photos.
   The photos must follow the Passport Photo Guidelines issued by the police in June 2005. Size: 3,6 cm x 4,7 cm (1 3/8 inch x 1 7/8 inch), head: between 3,2 cm x 3,6 cm (1 1/4 inch to 1 3/8 inch). Incorrect pictures cannot be accepted.
   
   
4. Valid passport or other travel document. Please, remember to sign your passport if it is required.
   
   
5. Original letter of acceptance. 
   1. For students completing their degree in Finland submit the original letter of acceptance from your Finnish school or university. 
   2. In case of a bilateral agreement, submit original acceptance letters from both schools or universities. 
   3. If accepted as an exchange student to a program such as ISEP, submit original statement from the Exchange Organisation that you have been accepted to. The letter should also clearly state your benefits regarding school fees, food and housing. 
      
      
6. Written proof of your housing arrangements in Finland.
   
   
7. Written proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay in Finland. Funds required are EUR 6000 per year or EUR 500 per month. Proof of funds can be a bank statement that is on your own name or a letter from your bank.
   Please note: 
   1. Proof of funds in form of scholarships will be deducted from this amount. 
   2. If all expenses are paid through an organisation, an additional sum of USD 120 should be available to you each month. 
      
      
8. Written proof of any scholarship you have received.
   
   
9. Please write a cover letter stating your current contact information, your permanent address and phone number in that address to which your passport is to be returned.
   
   
10. Processing fee and possibly a postal fee.
    
    
11. For an applicant under 18 years old, not travelling with a parent, present a notarized parental authorization form.




12. Students from third countries arriving after 1.9.2007 must
    have health insurance (Read more about the health insurance and see bulletin issued to educational institutions) If the residence permit is not granted, the insurance fee will not be compensated to the student. Please note: The student is responsible for all the insurance fees in all cases.
    
    Please note:

    It is a precondition for obtaining a residence permit that the student has valid health insurance cover with a reliable and solvent company or institution.

    - For studies of less than two years in duration, a student must have private insurance which primarily covers the costs of   medical treatment up to 100,000 Euros (cost level in 2007).

    - Where the duration of the studies is two years or more, a student will usually have a home municipality in Finland and is therefore entitled to municipal health care services. In such cases, it is sufficient for the insurance to primarily cover the cost of medicines (in practice the cover extends to doctor's fees and costs of treatment and examination), up to 30,000 euros (cost level in 2007).

    A student must have insurance cover when applying for a residence  permit as without it a residence permit cannot be granted. A residence permit cannot be issued for a period exceeding the period of the insurance cover. 

    Embassy/Consulate may request additional documents, if needed.

    Please note that students must leave the country on completion of their studies.
    
    The Finnish Immigration Service will process your application and the process usually takes 8-12 weeks. The process cannot be started until all paperwork and payment is received. It is not advisable to make any final travel arrangements, particularly purchase of non-refundable air tickets for specific date, prior to approval of your application.
    
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    Cimo or Fulbright program participant's residence permit

    Anyone, except citizens of the Nordic countries or the EU/EEA countries, wishing to work in Finland as CIMO trainee or through the Fulbright program must apply for and receive a residence permit before entering Finland.
    
    One set of documents will remain in the Embassy or Consulate and the other set will be sent to Finland to the Immigration Service. Thus to apply for residence permit for study or work purposes bring or send all the following documents to the Embassy or Consulate in duplicate:

     

    1. Completed application form (OLE 101) for a residence permit. Application forms cannot be faxed, they must be the originals. In addition, remember to sign them.
       
       
    2. If you will study in Finland fill in Appendix: Clarification on Studies (OLE 104).
       
       
    3. Two passport sized photos.
       The photos must follow the Passport Photo Guidelines issued by the police in June 2005. Size: 3,6 cm x 4,7 cm (1 3/8 inch x 1 7/8 inch), head: between 3,2 cm x 3,6 cm (1 1/4 inch to 1 3/8 inch). Incorrect pictures cannot be accepted.
       
       
    4. Valid passport or other travel document. Please, remember to sign your passport if it is required.
       
       
    5. Original letter from CIMO/FULBRIGHT stating your acceptance and work place. Additional proof of funds might be requested depending on the amount covered by CIMO/FULBRIGHT
       
       
    6. Processing fee and possibly a postal fee.
       Professors, please see the fee for worker's permit. Students, please see the fee for student's permit.
       
       
    7. Embassy/Consulate may request additional documents, if needed.
       

    The Immigration Service will process your application and the process usually takes 6-8 weeks. The process cannot be started until all paperwork and payment is received. It is not advisable to make any final travel arrangements, particularly purchase of non-refundable air tickets for specific date, prior to approval of your application.
    
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    Worker's Residence Permit

    According to the law, working in Finland will continue to be subject to a favourable decision. Further information and application forms can be found on the Ministry of Labour or Finnish Immigration Service websites.
    
    To work in Finland you must apply for and obtain a worker's residence permit before reaching Finland. 
    
    Citizens of the Nordic countries do not need neither a worker's residence permit nor a residence permit. Citizens of an EU/EEA country do not need a worker's residence permit. A residence permit for them will be issued by their local police. 
    
    For any other possible exceptions on applying for the first permit in Finland, please contact the Immigration Service directly.
    
    One set of documents will remain in the Embassy or Consulate and the other set will be sent to Finland to the Immigration Service. Thus to apply for a residence permit and a work permit bring or send all the following documents to the Embassy or Consulate in duplicate:

     

    1. Completed application form (OLE 101) for a residence and work permit. Application form cannot be faxed, they must be the originals. In addition, remember to sign them.
       
    2. Statement from the Finnish Department of Labor (Appendix TM 054), Employment Office Statement (Työvoimatoimisto) which your Finnish employer has obtained or detailed information by whom and where your work permit application has been submitted.
       
       
    3. Two passport size photos.
       The photos must follow the Passport Photo Guidelines issued by the police in June 2005. Size: 3,6 cm x 4,7 cm (1 3/8 inch x 1 7/8 inch), head: between 3,2 cm x 3,6 cm (1 1/4 inch to 1 3/8 inch). Incorrect pictures cannot be accepted.
       
       
    4. Valid passport or other travel document. Please, remember to sign your passport if it is required.
       
       
    5. Written proof of your housing arrangements in Finland.
       
       
    6. Processing fee and possibly a postal fee.
       
       

    The Finnish Immigration Service will process your application and the process usually takes 6 to 8 weeks. The process cannot be started until all paperwork and payment is received. It is not advisable to make any final travel arrangements, particularly purchase of non-refundable air tickets for specific date, prior to approval of your application.
    
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    Residence Permit on family ties to Finland

    Except for citizens of the Nordic countries, who do not need a residence permit and citizens of EU/EEA countries who will be issued a residence permit by their local police, anyone wishing to stay in Finland for more than three months must apply and receive a residence permit before entering Finland. This also applies to US citizens who are former Finnish citizens.
    
    One set of documents will remain in the Embassy or Consulate and the other set will be sent to Finland to the Immigration Service. Thus to apply for a residence permit for immigration purposes bring or mail the originals of all the following documents to the Embassy or Consulate in dublicate:
    

    1. Completed application form (OLE 101) for a residence permit.

    Application form cannot be faxed, they must be the originals. In addition, remember to sign them.
    

    2. Appendix; Clarification on family ties. Family ties forms for marriage, co-habitation, registered partnership, family member of a Finnish citizen: form OLE 2 must be filled out by both marriage/co-habitation partners. Children or other relatives, fill out the form OLE 3.
       
       
    3. Two passport size photos.
       The photos must follow the Passport Photo Guidelines issued by the police in June 2005. Size: 3,6 cm x 4,7 cm (1 3/8 inch x 1 7/8 inch), head: between 3,2 cm x 3,6 cm (1 1/4 inch to 1 3/8 inch). Incorrect pictures cannot be accepted.
       
       
    4. Valid passport or other travel document. Please, remember to sign your passport if it is required.
       
       
    5. If you are applying to join your spouse in Finland, a notarized copy of your marriage certificate, or if you are married to a Finn, an official certificate (virkatodistus) from Finland stating so. If your children are applying with you, notarized copies of their birth certificates from the Population Registry and notarized signatures by both custodians.
       
       
    6. Official proof of former Finnish citizenship or Finnish ancestry, if applicable.
       
       
    7. Written proof of your housing arrangements in Finland: Do you own an apartment? Will you rent one and how much is the monthly rent? How big is the apartment?
       
       
    8. Proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay in Finland. This can be done in the form of a letter from your bank. If you are going to work and be paid a salary, you must also apply for a work permit (see instructions). If you are retired, submit a written statement of your monthly pension and how much of it will be transferred to Finland.
       
       
    9. Processing fee and possibly a postal fee.
       
       

    The Finnish Immigration Service will process your application and the process usually takes upwards of 3 months (usually 6 - 12 months) depending on the case in question. The process cannot be started until all paperwork and payment is submitted. It is not advisable to make any final travel arrangements, particularly purchase of non-refundable air tickets for specific date, prior to approval of your application.
    
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    Application form

    Download the residence permit application and necessary appendixes:
     
    OLE 1  Application for residence permit 
    OLE 2  Appendix: Clarification on family ties (marriage, co-habitation, registered partnership, family member of a Finnish citizen)
    OLE 3  Appendix: Clarification on family ties (child, other relative)
    OLE 4  Appendix: Clarification on studies 
    TM 054   Appendix to residence permit application for workers 
    List of appendixes  Appendices and clarifications to applications for a residence permit: Certain types of employment which do not require residence permits for employed persons. Ordinary residence permits are however required.

    
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    Processing fee

    Payment may be in the form of cash, a money order, or a certified check made out to "Embassy of Finland Washington DC", "Consulate General of Finland New York" or "Consulate General of Finland Los Angeles". No personal checks, please. 
    
    If you wish your passport to be mailed back to you, please add payment for registered mail or for overnight delivery by FedEx. You may also provide a prepaid, self-addressed envelope.

    Check the current residence and work permit fees and mailing fees. The fee is non-refundable and is subject to change due to exchange rate fluctuations.

    
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