Residence permit in Finland
* Residence permit in Finland
We provide professional assistance with migration issues: obtaining a residence permit in Finland and Finnish citizenship.
- We will find the most suitable option for your residence permit (business, property, family ties, etc.) and prepare a complete set of documents.
- We will consult and prepare documents for extending your residence permit and obtaining a permanent residence permit in Finland, including negotiations and correspondence with immigration authorities.
- We will consult and prepare the documentation package for acquiring Finnish citizenship.
To apply for a residence permit, you must have concrete grounds for moving to Finland. The local laws specify the following reasons:
- Business
- Family reunification
- Employment
- Education
- Repatriation
If you plan to engage in entrepreneurship in Finland, you need to obtain a residence permit for entrepreneurs or workers. The required permit depends on the type of your business activities.
- If you are an individual entrepreneur (sole proprietor), you need a residence permit for entrepreneurs.
- If your company is a joint-stock company, you need a residence permit for workers. To get a residence permit, you must directly work for your company in Finland.
Extension of residence permits (about 10 months after initial approval)
We offer a full range of services for extending your residence permit. It is important to apply for an extension before your current permit expires. If your previous permit expires during the processing of your application, you may still stay in Finland. Usually, during the processing period, you also have the right to work. If you apply for an extension only after your current permit has expired, you can remain in Finland during the application review but are not allowed to work until you receive a new permit.
* Residence permits in Finland (oleskelulupa) can be of 3 types:
Temporary (Type B)
Temporary (Type B)
Issued for 1-2 years or less. Each subsequent extension does not exceed 12 months. Later, if conditions permit, it can be replaced with a permanent permit. Usually, sufficient grounds for conversion include marriage to a Finnish citizen and engaging in employment or entrepreneurial activity for at least 2 years.
Permanent (Type A)
Permanent (Type A)
Not limited by time frames, but initially issued for 1 year and requires periodic renewal, typically every 4 years.
Permanent residence permit (pysyväoleskelulupaa, indicated by the letter "P" in the permit)
Permanent residence permit (pysyväoleskelulupaa, indicated by the letter "P" in the permit)
A foreigner can obtain a permanent residence permit if they have continuously lived in Finland for 2 years under a type “A” residence permit. The continuous permits must follow each other without gaps.
It is not necessary to stay continuously in Finland; trips for vacation or other travel are allowed. However, the required stay in Finland must be at least half of the period for which the residence permit was granted.
* Residence permit in Finland for business activities
Foreign entrepreneurs can obtain a residence permit in Finland for conducting business activities if they meet two main requirements:
A well-prepared business plan demonstrating profitability and future prospects of the business.
Financial resources sufficient to support living in Finland and implementing the project.
What does a residence permit in Finland provide?
- Free movement within the Schengen area for up to 90 days within a 6-month period.
- Depending on the conditions of relocation, the right to education, employment, and business activities in Finland.
- Access to the European credit system, quality healthcare, and real estate acquisition across Europe.
- An important step towards permanent residency and citizenship in Finland.
- Living in a country with a developed market economy, low crime rates, and a transparent legal system.