With the highly developed economy and good living conditions, Finland attracts a lot of foreign experts. To be able to work in Finland legally, foreigners need to obtain a work permit. Here, in this article, we look at the basic requirements and procedures for obtaining a work permit.

Main categories of work permits

1. Work permit for professionals: It is intended for highly qualified workers who have special skills and experience in demand on the Finnish labour market.
2. Seasonal Work Permit: Issued for temporary or seasonal work such as agriculture and tourism.
3. Intra-company transfer authorization: This is intended for employees of multinational companies that are transferred to Finnish subsidiaries for specific tasks.

Following documents are required to be presented for a work permit in Finland:

1. Foreign passport: The passport should be valid for six months after the expiry of the intended stay.
2. Filled-in application form: Application form for a work permit, available on the Finnish Migration Board’s website.
3. Labour contract: Original + copy of the contract with the Finnish employer with the working conditions, position, salary and duration of the contract.
4. Evidence of qualifications: Diplomas, certificates and other documents confirming professional qualifications and work experience.
5. Criminal record certificate: A document from your country of residence proving that you do not have a criminal record. The document should be translated either into Finnish or English, and notarized.
6. Proof of financial solvency: Bank statements or other documents which show that you can support yourself when staying in Finland.

Application procedure

1. Filing documents: It is here that the employer, or the applicant, applies for a work permit at the Finnish Migration Board. Applications can be filed either in person or via the online facility, Enter Finland.
2. Applying for a permit: Once the application is approved, a work permit is issued that must be registered at the local Migration Board office of the place of residence in Finland.

Permit renewal

An application for the renewal of a work permit may be filed some months in advance before the expiration date of the current permit, with updated documents proving the continuation of the employment relationship and sufficient maintenance funds.

What is the Finland work visa?

Finland is one of the highly developed economies that have favorable conditions both for living and working in the country, thus always in a position to attract many foreign professionals. The ability to work legally in Finland includes getting a work visa. This article focuses on the key aspects of obtaining a work visa to Finland.

Work Visa Categories in Finland

The work visa category, depending on the nature and duration of work, varies in different types with their particular characteristics and requirements. There are the following types:

1. Working visa for professionals: It is intended for highly qualified professionals and workers whose skills are in demand in the Finnish labor market. This visa will provide you with the opportunity to work and stay in Finland long-term.
2. Seasonal Work Visa: This can be issued for temporary or seasonal work, such as in agriculture or tourism. The length of this visa is usually up to six months.
3. Visa for intra-corporate transfer: This is intended for employees of international companies transferred to a Finnish division for the purpose of meeting certain tasks. This kind of visa also covers residence permission.

Basic requirements for getting a work visa

Attention is to be drawn to various conditions that you must meet and present related documents for obtaining a work visa for Finland.

Main documents:

1. Passport: It should be valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay.
2. Completed visa application form: In order to obtain a work visa, there is an application form that can be downloaded at the official website of the Finnish Immigration Service.
3. Labour contract: An original and a copy of the contract with the Finnish employer containing the working conditions, position, salary, and contract duration.
4. Proof of qualifications: Diplomas, certificates and other documents confirming your professional qualifications and work experience.
5. Health insurance: A health insurance policy covering the entire period of your intended stay in Finland.
6. Criminal record certificate: A certificate from your home country of residence, showing that you do not have any criminal records. This needs to be translated into Finnish or English and notarized.
7. Proof of financial solvency: Bank statements or other documents showing that you have enough money to reside in Finland.

Work Visa Application Process

1. Application: The employer or the applicant applies for the work visa at the Finnish Immigration Service. The application may be filed directly to the service or via the online channel Enter Finland.
2. Application review: Several weeks to several months depending on the case to be dealt with and the workload of the Migration Service.
3. Visa obtention: The applicant receives a work visa after the application has been approved, which is considered a residence permit for Finland too.

How to apply for the Finland work visa in 2024?

With one of the most stable economies and a very high standard of living, Finland attracts many foreign specialists from all over the world. In order to be legally employed in Finland, foreign nationals have to obtain a work visa. Further in the article, we will review the stage-by-stage procedure for applying for a work visa to Finland in 2024, including the main requirements and recommendations.

How to get a Finnish work visa and permit?

Finland, due to its stable economy and high level of living, is attracting a lot of foreign specialists. To be legally employed in this country, it is necessary to get a work visa and a work permit. In this article, we will look through the main steps and requirements for getting these documents.

What are the required documents for the Finland work visa application?

Finland attracts foreign specialists with its high standard of living and stable economy. To be able to legally work in this country, foreign citizens are required to obtain a work visa. Further in the article, we will consider what documents are needed in order to apply for a work visa to Finland.

Basic documents

Foreign passport

• Passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date intended to leave.
• Copies of all relevant passport pages with information and the photo page.

Completed work visa application form

• The application form is to be filled in either English or Finnish, without mistakes or corrections.

Photos

• Two recent passport-size photos that are according to visa document standards.

Labour contract

• The original and copy of the contract with a Finnish employer on working conditions, position, salary, and duration of the contract in writing.
• The contract is to be signed by both parties.

Evidence of qualification

• Diplomas, certificates, and other documents confirming your professional qualifications and work experience.
• All documents must be translated into Finnish or English and notarised.

Health insurance

• A health insurance policy covering the entire period of your intended stay in Finland.
• The sum insured must fulfil the minimum requirements laid down by Finnish law.

Criminal record certificate

• A document issued by the authorities of the state of permanent residence where it is declared that the person was not sentenced for a crime.
• The certificate must be translated into Finnish or English and authenticated.

Proof of sufficient financial resources

• Bank statements or other documents which prove you can support yourself financially for the duration of your stay in Finland.
• As a rule, proof of funds that is at least the same as the amount of minimum income in Finland is required.

Supplementary documents

Other supporting documents might be required depending on the case and requirements by the consulate; these include but are not limited to the following:

• Letters of recommendation from previous employers.
• Confirmation of accommodation or rental bookings in Finland.
• Medical examination certificates.

Application procedure

• Collect all necessary documents: Ensure that all documents are collected and properly filed.
• Making an appointment: If applying in person, make an appointment at a Finnish consulate or embassy.
• Submitting an application: You may do this either by submitting the application online on the online application system called Enter Finland or in person to the consulate.
• Waiting for processing: You are left to wait for a decision to be made following the submission of the application anytime between a few weeks to a few months.

Where and when is it possible to apply for a Finland work visa?

Finland opens up a great number of career growth and professional development possibilities for foreign specialists. At the same time, in order to be legally employed in this country, one needs to obtain a work visa. In the article below we will consider where and when it is possible to apply for a work visa to Finland, as well as the main stages of this process.

Where to apply for a work visa

1. Finnish consulates and embassies

You can apply for a work visa at the consular section of the Finnish embassy or consulate in your country of residence. The addresses and contact details of consular offices are listed on the official website of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

• Consular sections: Accept applications, conduct interviews, and issue visas.
• Visa Application Centres: It is often that some countries have accredited visa application centres, which facilitate the procedure and advice concerning the application.
• Online platform Enter Finland: Most varieties of work visas can be submitted on the online platform of Enter Finland. This reduces much time to submit the documents and does not require a personal visit to the consulate.

When Work Visa Should Be Applied

1. Advance filing

It is better to apply for a work visa 2-3 months in advance before the expected date of commencement. This is explained by the fact that the application process may take from several weeks to several months depending on workload in migration services and peculiarities of your case.

2. Accounting for seasonal fluctuations

This includes seasonal ups and downs in the work of consulates, summer holidays, festive times, etc., when the processing time can be longer. In such a case, it is recommended to apply quite well in advance and have your visa in due time.

Main steps of the submission process

1. Documents Preparation: Prepare all the necessary documents, which include a passport, job contract, proof of qualification, health insurance, and a criminal record certificate.
2. Book an Appointment: Make an appointment with the consulate or the visa application center if applying in person. If applying online, upload all documents on the Enter Finland online platform.
3. Submission of the Application: Documents can be submitted either directly to the consulate or on the online platform. Ensure that all the documents are correctly completed and uploaded.
4. Waiting for a Decision: You need to wait for a decision from the consulate or migration service after submitting the documents. During this time, additional documents or clarifications may be required.

How long does the Finland work visa last?

Finland is a country with an extremely high level of living and excellent conditions for working. Therefore, this state is one of the most attractive for foreign specialists. Of course, to work in Finland without having Finnish citizenship, one has to get a certain work visa. In the article below we will talk about the term of validity of a work visa to Finland and about the conditions at the observance of which this document can be renewed.

Types of work visas and their validity period

The process of applying for an extension

1. Document Preparation: Gather all necessary documents, including a valid employment contract, health insurance, and proof of financial solvency.
2. Applying: You can download the application form from the website of Enter Finland online platform, fill it, and submit it in person or directly at your local Finnish Immigration Service office.
3. Application processing: It may take a couple of weeks to months to process the extension of the work visa application. Better apply in good time to avoid delays.

Can foreigners work in Finland?

With its stable economy and high standard of living, Finland is an attractive country to work and live in. Many foreign specialists see Finland as a promising place to develop their careers. In the article below, we will look into whether it is possible for foreign nationals to work in Finland and under what conditions.

A number of laws regulate the employment of foreign nationals in Finland, guaranteeing equal rights and obligations for all employees, whatever their nationality. The main regulations include:

1. Employment of Foreigners Act: Lists conditions and the terms that are to be fulfilled when hiring foreign nationals in Finland.
2. Ley sobre la Residencia de Extranjeros/ Law on the Residence of Foreigners: Defines the conditions required by foreign workers in order to get a visa, work permit, and residence permit.

Categories of foreign workers

• EU/EEA and Swiss nationals
  • Have the right of free movement and work in Finland, and a work permit is not required.
  • You need to register with the local police in the area where you will reside and obtain a registration certificate.
  • It is a procedure that includes several steps: getting a job offer, preparing the documents, and submitting an application for a visa and authorization.

Obtaining a work permit for third-country nationals

Third-country nationals can obtain a work permit through the following procedure:

1. Finding employment: The foreigner needs an employment contract from a Finnish employer. The employer has to declare that he/she has not found a candidate with the required qualifications among the locals and EU/EEA citizens.
2. Visa: Once the work permit application is approved, the alien must apply for a D visa to enter and stay in Finland until the end of the residence permit’s period of validity.

Documents that an application shall be accompanied with

To obtain the permission for employment with due visa, third-country nationals must submit the subsequent documents:

• Passport valid at least until the end of the intended period of stay in Finland.
• Contract of employment with an employer in Finland or a contract made between the employee and the foreign employer providing for working in Finland.
• Qualifications, experience, and other relevant documents that prove the employee’s ability to perform the job.
• Valid health insurance that covers the entire period of stay.
• Certificate of no criminal record.
• Proof of financial solvency.

Rights and obligations of foreign workers

Foreign workers in Finland have all the rights and obligations equal to those of the locals. They include the right to decent pay, the right to good working conditions, and the right to social security. Employers are obliged to follow all the labor laws and guarantee decent conditions to their workers.

Main categories of work visas

The process of getting a work visa

Finland work permit requirements

Finland is among the most developed European Union nations and attracts plenty of foreign professionals due to its high standard of living along with a favorable business environment. For working legally in Finland, foreign nationals are required to obtain a work permit. Below, we discuss the basic requirements and procedures for obtaining this document.

Main categories of work permits

1. Specialist Permit
   • It is intended for highly qualified professionals whose skills and knowledge are in demand in the Finnish labour market.
   • The need for proof of qualifications and professional experience.
2. Seasonal Work Permit
   • Issued for temporary employment in seasonal industries like agriculture and tourism.
   • Limited duration, usually up to six months.
3. Intra-corporate Transferee Permit
   • It is intended for employees of international companies who will be transferred to Finnish subsidiaries.
   • Requirements: proof of intra-company transfer, employment contract.

Documents

For getting a work permit in Finland, one needs to present the following documents:

1. Foreign passport
   • Is valid six months after the intended period of stay.
2. Filled-in questionnaire
   • Application form for a work permit, to be printed out from the official website of the Finnish Migration Board or filled in via online – Enter Finland – accordingly.
   • Labour contract: The original and a copy of a contract signed with a Finnish employer for working conditions, position, salary, and contract duration.
   • The labour contract should bear the applicant’s and employer’s signatures.
3. Evidence of qualification
   • Diplomas, certificates, and other documents confirming your professional qualifications and work experience.
   • All documents shall be translated into Finnish or English and notarised.
4. Health insurance
   • A health insurance policy which covers the entire period of your stay in Finland.
   • The sum insured has to meet the minimum requirements laid down by Finnish law.
5. Criminal record certificate
   • A document from the country of permanent residence proving the clean criminal record requirement: The certificate is to be translated either in Finnish or English and notarised.
6. Financial solvency
   • Bank statements or other documents proving means sufficient for the entire stay in Finland.
   • Proof of funds that correspond to at least the minimum monthly salary in Finland is normally required.

Application process

1. Gathering of all necessary documents
   • Ensure that all documents are collected and duly filed in order.
2. Application submission
   • The application can be filed online using the Enter Finland network or by appearing in person before the Finnish consulate/embassy in your home country.
   • The application form for a work permit should be completed with no errors or erasures.
3. Application consideration
   • Please note that the processing of your application could take several weeks or even months, taking into account the workload of the migration services in regard to your case.
   • Depending on the situation, additional documents or further explanation may be required.

Obtaining a work permit in Finland involves careful preparation and adherence to all legal requirements. Correct paperwork, combined with the timely submission of the application, plays an important role in successfully obtaining a work permit and being legally employed in Finland.