In order to live and work in Finland for more than 90 days, it is required to get a residence permit. The person can get the permit either in Finnish embassy or consulate in their home country. Foreign nationals that are already in Finland can get a residence permit from the local police station.

Other Nordic nationals are not required to obtain a residence permit. Foreign spouses of Finnish or other Nordic nationals can be given a residence permit without taking consideration of their nationality.

The required documents include:

• details of employment or a job offer in Finland,
• of sufficient funds to support the applicant
• the family of the applicant while living in Finland
• a medical certificate.
• Residence permits are given for one year for temporary work appointments and for five years for permanent employment contracts.

• For permanent residency, a person should live in the country for 3 consecutive years and have a continuous residence permit.
• The application process goes as follows:
• Submitting an application
• Processing the application
• Supplementing or canceling the application
• Notification about the decision

The citizens of EU and EEA member states, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Iceland can work in Finland without a work permit. The nationals of other Nordic countries are not required to have a work permit as well.

For obtaining a work permit for other nationals, it is required to apply for a worker’s residence permit from Finland embassy in their home country or from the local police department or from employment office in Finland.

The application form can be found on the website of the Finnish Ministry of Labor.

It can take up to three months to process the application. The fee is about $550, but it may vary based on the type of the application. Generally, the costs of online application are lower.

The steps of the application process are demonstrated below.

1. Check the requirements of the residence permit you’re applying for to make sure you meet them.
2. Collect all of the supporting papers required by your permit application.
3. Complete the application.
4. Send the payment for the application. You may pay online at the Enter Finland website, at a Finnish embassy or consulate or at a Finnish Immigration Service.
5. After all, the Finnish Immigration Service will contact you with a decision.

• A single-entry visa allows the holder to enter Finland once and stay there from 90 to 180 days.
• The double-entry visa allows entry into Finland twice and may be valid for 90 to 180 days in the Schengen area.
• A multiple-entry visa with validation of a maximum of five years.
• An airport transit visa allows the visa holder to stay at the airport for changing flights.

Transit visa is required for citizens from the following countries:

Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Iraq, Ghana, Iran, Democratic Republic of Congo, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Nigeria

General required documents for a Finnish Visa Application:

• Download the application form and fill it completely and with sincerity. You can also fill the Finland Schengen Visa application form in an electronic way and then print a hard-copy.
• Attached there must be 2 photos; the photo should be like passport format – a recent whole-face capture with a clear/light background.
• Your passport and copies of your previous visas which are valid for at least 3 months beyond return date and these are required. Your passport must have a minimum of 2 empty pages.
• Your return-ticket reservation copied. It is not suggested to buy the ticket before getting the visa – if not otherwise required
• Travel medical visa insurance verification of at least 30,000 € coverage within Finland and the whole Schengen area
• A cover letter stating the objective of the visit to Finland and itinerary
• A copy of your return-ticket booking with dates and flight numbers defining entry and exit from Finland. It is not suggested to obtain the ticket before obtaining the visa – if not otherwise required. Learn how to book a round trip reservation online!
• Confirmation of Accommodation for the whole span of the intended stay in Finland. Learn how to get a Hotel booking or reservation for Finnish Visa application.
• Evidence of civil status (marriage certificate, the birth of children, death certificate of spouse and if applicable also ration card )
• Means of subsistence – Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay

If employed:

• Employment contract
• A bank statement from a current bank of the latest 6 months
• Leave approval letter given by the employer
• Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary

If self-employed:

• A copy of your business license
• Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Income Tax Return (ITR)

If a student:

• Proof of enrollment
• No-objection certificate from school or university

If retired:

• Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If applicable:

• Regular income generated by property verification of the latest 6 months

*Note: The signed application form must be supplemented the rest of the above-mentioned compulsory documents and delivered personally at the appropriate embassy or its representative in your home country.

• Apart from the general documentation, depending on the scope of your Finnish Visa application may be required.

List of supplementary documents that can be required for your visit are:

Finland Tourist Schengen Visa:

• Invitation letter along with the address and phone number from a family member or sponsor – if applicable
• Bank statement of the last 6 months
• Copied passports

Finland Visa for Business Purposes:

• Invitation letter from the Finnish organization you will be visiting and their specified address supplemented along with the days of your visit
• A certificate from your employer stating/allowing your business trip
• If there were earlier trade relations between the two organizations, evidence of such events must be shown
• Business bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Memorandum and Article of Association in primary certified copy (recorded with joint stock businesses) Trade License (first issued and present renewal), Proprietorship/Partnership documents
• Regarding the applicant’s expenses during stay in the Schengen zone, either the owner or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.

Finland Visa for Medical Purposes:

• A local medical report
• A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in Finland, proving the date of your appointment as well as your medical condition
• Receipt received from the payment of medical fees
• Finland Visa for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes:
• Invitation letter from the above-mentioned officials with details upon the nature of happenings or activities – the purpose of visit, cost coverage
• Applicant names (crew members)
• Duration of stay
• Travel itinerary

Finland Visa for Members of Official Delegations:

• The official invitation copy
• Identity of applicant
• Purpose of the journey (negotiations, meetings, event by intergovernmental organizations, consultations)
• Duration of stay
• Place of accommodation
• Finland Visa for Study, Research, or another type of Internship Purposes:
• An enrollment certificate approving attendance of courses
• Certificate of fulfillment or classes attended
• Financial sustenance
• Finland Visa For The Wife/Husband of a Finnish citizen:
• Evidence of Finnish citizenship (either ID card or certification of Finnish nationality or naturalization order)
• Finnish marriage certificate
• Finnish family record book

Finland Airport Transit Visa:

• Visa or another kind of entry permit in the transit country
• Copy of your valid visa for your final destination

Finland Visa for Under-Age Children:

• Proof of parent’s regular income (work contract with particularized monthly income or a bank statement or business permission)
• Notarized travel permission from parent (parental travel consent)
• If one parent lives in a different country – their notarized parental travel consent
• An extension to a Finnish short-stay visa can be possible due to some exceptional circumstances.