Integration counselling

Work permits 

If you are an EU citizen

As an EU citizen, you do not need a work permit in Finland. You are allowed to start working as soon as you arrive.  

You can find more information and instructions on employment or entrepreneurship on the InfoFinland website. The site is available in multiple languages.  
EU citizens | InfoFinland 
 
If you are not an EU citizen or not from a Nordic country 

If you are from another country, you need a residence permit in Finland.  

If you are applying for a residence permit for work, you need to have a job in Finland. The type of permit depends on what kind of work you will be doing.  

More information on permits and instructions for applying for them are available on the InfoFinland website. The site is available in multiple languages.  
Work in Finland | InfoFinland

If you want to work as an entrepreneur, you need an entrepreneur’s residence permit.  

More information on entrepreneurs’ permits and instructions for applying for them are available on the InfoFinland website. The site is available in multiple languages.  
Entrepreneur in Finland | InfoFinland

Employer's role in the permit process

On this page, you’ll find information on hiring an employee from abroad and the employer’s role in an employee’s residence permit process. The website is available in Finnish, Swedish, English and Russian.   

For employers | Finnish Immigration Service                              

On this page, you will find advice for employers on international recruitment, information on Talent funding, tips for using Finnish or Swedish at the workplace and support for employees’ integration. The website also includes regional services for employers. The website is available in Finnish and English.                                                                                                     

For employers | Work in Finland                                         

Citizenship

You can apply for Finnish citizenship if you have lived permanently in Finland for a sufficient number of years and have satisfactory oral and written skills in Finnish or Swedish. It is also possible to get citizenship through your parent if they are a Finnish citizen.  

You can demonstrate your language skills with:  

• a National Certificate of Language Proficiency when you complete the oral and written part of the test at least with proficiency level 3  
• a Civil Service Language Proficiency Certificate when you complete the test at least on a satisfactory level  
• a diploma or certificate approved by the Finnish Immigration Service  

For more information on other conditions and applying for citizenship, visit the InfoFinland website. The site is available in multiple languages.  
How to apply for Finnish citizenship? | InfoFinland 

Recognition of a foreign qualification: paths to different professions

Many jobs can be done in Finland with professional skills acquired in another country.  

However, some professions are regulated, which means that they require a certain degree or education under the law. Qualifying for these professions in Finland have certain processes to recognise a professional qualification acquired abroad.  

You can apply for the recognition of a professional qualification if  

• you are an EU or EEA citizen or a Swiss citizen and  
• you have qualified for the profession in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland.  

You can apply for the recognition of higher education studies if  

• you are a non-EU or EEA citizen or  
• you have completed your degree outside the EU or EEA.  

Sometimes an applicant may be assigned supplementary studies, an adaptation period or an aptitude test.

 Some professions also include a language proficiency requirement. These are described in more detail in Language proficiency requirements for different professions in Finland.

See the following pages for more information on the recognition of professional qualifications and foreign higher education degrees.