Work in Finland: obtaining a work visa, prospects for permanent residence

Two types of permits are suitable for foreigners to work in Finland:

• simple Schengen category C (C3) - for seasonal work no more than three months;
• residence permit with the right to work (aka Residence permit, residence permit and permanent work visa to Finland in one package) - for long-term employment, limited only by a work contract.

In this article, we will look at both documents in detail, tell you what kind of work each of them is suitable for, and provide comprehensive information about the cost and timing of obtaining work visas. Let's talk about precautions against cunning scammers. At the end - recommendations for finding work in Finland and general information about the social situation in the country.

Work visa to Finland for seasonal workers

During the berry picking period, many jobs appear in Finland, so Finns are happy to hire migrants from neighboring countries. For seasonal work for up to 3 months, you need to apply for a regular short-term Schengen visa with a note in the application form that the purpose of the trip is seasonal work, and instead of a hotel reservation, attach an invitation from the employer to the application.

In addition to picking berries, root crops and vegetables, a temporary work visa is also suitable for some other professions, if the period of employment does not exceed 3 months. Here is a list of “preferential” specialties:

• translator
• trainer
• teacher
• mechanic
• athlete or sports judge
• sailor
• artist (professional)
• promoter
• fur farm worker
• researcher
• cinema worker (director, cameraman, etc.)
• tour group leader
• international driver

You need to look for an employer in Finland in your home country in order to ask in advance to send an invitation. You can use the website russian.fi. This is a community of Russians in Suomi, where, among other things, many job offers are published.

General list of documents for a temporary work visa to Finland for citizens of the Russian Federation:

• application for a Schengen visa (form);
• a foreign passport with at least two blank pages and valid for at least 3 months after the visa expires;
• old canceled foreigners with stickers of previous Schengen visas (if available);
• health insurance for 30 thousand euros or more;
• paid visa fee;
• copy of the national (internal) passport: page with photo and registration (registration at the place of residence).

If the applicant is not a citizen of Russia, when submitting documents to the Finnish consular authorities, he must confirm the legality of his presence on the territory of the Russian Federation with the following documents:

• Russian visa or residence permit (not always necessary, depends on the citizenship of the applicant);
• document/stamp confirming registration at the place of residence in the Russian Federation;
• a work permit in the country or a student card from a Russian university or college.

Questionnaire

The form must be filled out in English or Russian, but in Latin letters. If you speak Finnish or Swedish, you can use them. It is important that the questionnaire does not contain Cyrillic characters - symbols of the Russian alphabet.

Our website has detailed instructions for filling out the application for a Finnish visa. It is adapted for a tourist visa request, but if you correct a couple of points, it will also be suitable for a work visa.

See here: Finnish visa application form: the most complete instructions: (opens in a new window)

For a work visa to Finland, enter:

Point 21:

• (Main purpose(s) of the journey): check the box “Other (Please specify)” and specify in the line below (example): Seasonal work ( berry picking) (translated as seasonal work (picking berries)).

We skip point 31, leave it to tourists, and enter in point 32:

• Name and address of inviting company/organisation , example:

Oy “Kamomilla” Finland, Helsinki Linnankatu, 7

(translation: Romashka LLC, Finland, Helsinki, Linnankatu str., 7)

• Telephone and telefax of company/organisation , example: +358-40-000-00-00
• Surname, first name, address, telephone, telefax and e-mail address of contact person in company/organisation, example:

Nikolaev Paavali Helsinki, Linnankatu, 7 +358-40-000-00-00,

Point 33.

• Cost of traveling and living during the applicant's stay is covered: as a rule, if you are invited to a seasonal job by a company, then all expenses are paid by the employer, who also provides housing. If this is the case for you, check the box next to “by a sponsor (host, company, organization), please specify / sponsor, host, enterprise, organization” and check the box “referred to in field 31 or 32 / specified in paragraph 31 or 32” if the expenses are paid by the same company that invites you to work.
• In the sub-item “Means of support / Livelihood” , cross out the box next to “All expenses covered during the stay” .

Sample of filling out an application form for a temporary work visa to Finland

Price and terms

The cost of a temporary work visa to Finka for Russians is 35 euros. The indicated price - the amount of the visa fee - is paid to the Finnish treasury as a state duty. If you submit documents to the embassy or consulate yourself, you will not have to pay extra. If you do it through a visa center, the VC will ask for another €26.75 for services.

This type of visa takes 15 days. Submit your documents without delay, but not earlier than 3 months before the trip.

Where to get it

You can obtain a permit for temporary work at the Finnish consular offices in Russia in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Murmansk and Petrozavodsk.

You can also use the services of visa centers in the following cities:

• Moscow
• Saint Petersburg
• Petrozavodsk
• Murmansk
• Arkhangelsk
• Velikiy Novgorod
• Vladivostok
• Vologda
• Vyborg
• Ekaterinburg
• Irkutsk
• Kazan
• Kaliningrad
• Krasnodar
• Krasnoyarsk
• Novosibirsk
• Omsk
• Permian
• Pskov
• Rostov-on-Don
• Samara
• Ufa

For more information about the operating hours of each branch, travel directions and other contact details, see the visa center website visa.finland.eu.

Beware: scammers

Recently, offers have appeared on the Internet from companies that, for 4,500 rubles or so, undertake to create a Finnish work visa with a guarantee of receipt. This is a pure scam, since even consulate employees cannot give guarantees. Each application is considered by the consul individually, and a decision is made during the examination of the documents.

We do not recommend applying for a work visa to any intermediaries, with the exception of an accredited VFS Global visa center. On their website visa.finland.eu you can get all the necessary information.

Remember that it is not difficult to obtain a temporary work permit on your own. Don't pay dubious companies for this!

The main thing is to find an employer who will send an invitation. The rest is a matter of technique. Thousands of compatriots have successfully obtained work visas on their own or through VFS Global, so you can too. Read about how to look for work in Finland at the end of this article.

Temporary work visa to Finland: salary

Obtaining a work visa for certain categories of citizens

For people engaged in certain fields of activity, there is a special procedure for obtaining permits.

For example, for seafarers transiting through the territory of the Schengen countries for the purpose of working abroad, the package of mandatory papers includes:

• seaman's passport/international passport;
• an accompanying document issued by the owner or an invitation from a shipping organization;
• team roster;
• a copy of the sailor’s documents (books and certificates).

For drivers involved in the transportation of passengers or goods between countries on freight transport of various tonnages or buses, the following set of documents must be submitted:

• completed application form for a work visa;

  Sample of filling out an application form for a Finnish visa

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• a document from a potential boss, duly certified, which confirms the existence of labor interaction, with an accurate listing of the duties performed;
• copy of international driver's license;
• a list of transport and labor available to the employing company.

If the employer is a member of ASMAP, it is necessary to additionally provide confirmation of membership; if not a member of this organization, a permit to transport goods or passengers between countries is required. If a minibus requires only category “B”, that is, it has no more than eight seats, then such permission is not required.

Residence permit with the right to work - residence permit

For those who have seriously decided that they want to connect their lives with Finland and, perhaps, obtain citizenship in the future, there is a more solid version of a work visa: a residence permit with the right to work (työntekijän oleskelulupa), in common parlance - a residence permit. The first permit is issued for a year, the next for four. Residence permit costs significantly more: from €450 to €520. This money is taken for consideration of the application; in case of a negative decision, the fees are not refunded.

Procedure

Briefly about the procedure for obtaining a residence permit with the right to work:

1. We are looking for a Finnish employer;
2. we agree on employment and ask you to send a paper in form TEM 054 (Liitelomake työntekijän oleskelulupahakemukseen - application form for a residence permit) - ;
3. We fill out the form OLE_TY1 ourselves - ;
4. we pay a fee of €520 (if we submit a paper application) or €450 (if we fill out the application online at enterfinland.fi/eServices and pay via the Internet);
5. submit documents to the Finnish consulate in your home country;
6. We are waiting for notification of the result.

Job search

Finns recommend looking for work in Finland via the Internet while at home. But no one can prohibit you from coming to Finka on a tourist visa, finding a potential employer and building bridges. And there you can return home and submit documents to the consulate.

Collection of documents

The employer will have to tinker with the TEM 054 form. To employ a foreigner, he must obtain permission from the Finnish Employment and Economic Development Service (TE-toimisto). This can be done by proving that not a single citizen of Finland or the European Union was suitable for the open vacancy. To do this, the employer posts a vacancy on the Internet for two weeks, then spends a week interviewing a crowd of applicants, including those sent by the labor exchange, and keeps strict records of them. He sends the accounting data to the Employment Service and informs them that no one is suitable for him except you.

If everything goes well, the Ministry gives the go-ahead, and you first get a residence permit, then a job. The process takes on average 3 months. Those companies that often hire foreigners have already gotten their teeth into it, have established the process and have become familiar with the Ministry. They are issued permits faster, which means the time frame for making a decision on a residence permit is reduced. With companies that have taken on this simple scam for the first time, you can wait for a residence permit for more than three months.

Submitting an application

You must apply for a Residence permit for the first time at Finnish missions outside of Finland. The most logical option is to do it at home. In exceptional cases, Finns can accept your statement at their police station, but what falls under the “exceptional case”, unfortunately, is not specified.

If you are in Russia, select the desired Finnish representative office:

• Moscow (serves all of Russia);
• Peter (works with applicants from the North-Western Federal District, except for residents of the Kaliningrad region. The jurisdiction of the Consulate General includes St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region, the Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Pskov and Novgorod regions, as well as the Komi Republic and the Nenets Autonomous Okrug);
• Petrozavodsk (works with residents of the Republic of Karelia);
• Murmansk (issues residence permits to residents of the Murmansk region).

The applicant's affiliation is determined by the place of his registration, permanent or temporary.

Come during office hours and hand over a package of documents. Applications for residence permits are accepted without prior appointment. For addresses and telephone numbers of representative offices, see the embassy website: finland.org.ru.

Pay fees here:

• Moscow: Nordea Bank ATMs, there are three of them in the city, can be easily found on the Internet;
• St. Petersburg: payment by receipt through an ATM at the consulate;
• Murmansk and Petrozavodsk: fees are paid by receipt from the consulate at any bank in rubles.

When the documents are submitted, you can exhale. Now all that remains is to wait for notification and hope for a positive result.

Where to go

Applying for a job in Finland is carried out at consulates located in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Murmansk, Petrozavodsk.

The services of visa centers can be used in the nearest central city in the region. It is necessary to find out in advance about the reception schedule for citizens of each branch.

The cost of a temporary visa for Russians is 35 euros. This is done within 15 days. But it is recommended to submit documents approximately 3 months before the planned trip.

Where to look for work in Finland

The friendliest option is the Internet portal at russian.fi, where the entire Russian-speaking community of Finland hangs out. There you can find work through direct advertisements, ask for help, get advice and ask any question. The resource has a fairly large forum; it is a treasure trove of information about immigration, local customs, news and work.

Finnish authorities provide information about available vacancies on the website workinfinland.fi, where you can also learn a lot of interesting things about working life in the Country of a Thousand Lakes and the peculiarities of local entrepreneurship. The site is in three languages: English, Finnish and Swedish.

There is also the European portal for professional mobility EURES: eures.europa.eu. There you can not only search for vacancies, but also ask questions to live consultants. The portal works in all European languages, there is no Russian.

These are the main search channels. Personal initiative and creativity are also encouraged: ask friends and acquaintances, make a good resume and send it to different organizations. The more attempts, the better the result.

How to obtain a residence permit in Finland

1. Applying for a Finnish residence permit if you have a place of work, study or a close family member in Finland. This application must be submitted well in advance of your entry into the country. According to EU rules, one of the conditions for issuing a visa is the departure of its holder from the Schengen territory before its expiration. Therefore, a visa cannot be issued to a person who has come to Finland to apply for a residence permit or to await a decision on an application that has already been submitted. This rule also applies to family members of Finnish citizens.
2. An application for a residence permit can only be submitted by the applicant himself, in personal presence.
3. The application is submitted electronically or on paper, depending on what your purpose for entering Finland is (study, work, family member). An electronic application can be submitted at enterfinland.fi. A paper application can be found here migri.fi. No mistakes are allowed when filling out the application.
4. Collect all documents required to obtain a residence permit
5. Make an appointment at the Finnish representative office.
6. At the appointed time, visit the relevant country representative office to submit documents, as well as pay the application fee.
7. Monitor the status of your application if you used the Enter Finland portal to submit documents.
8. If questions arise, the representative office reserves the right to request additional documents or invite the applicant for an interview.
9. After receiving notification of readiness, obtain permission from the place where you submitted the package of documents.

A negative decision on an application means that there are no sufficient grounds to obtain a residence permit. The fee for processing the application by the representative office will not be refunded.

How to adapt to a new society

The very first thing they advise you to do when moving is to learn Finnish. Even though 80% speak English, knowing Finnish will help you better understand the local culture and assimilate faster.

In addition to language, special centers will help with adaptation. They can be called interest clubs, where immigrants from one country gather. Such meetings make it easier to build a bridge to a new society, since they bring together many like-minded people. And, as you know, any business is easier with company.

Government program

Social integration services are also provided by the Employment Service TE-toimisto. You can take advantage of the free social inclusion plan, which allows you to study at a vocational school or university for free. In addition to specialized education and work practice, you will also be taught Finnish or Swedish for free.

Adaptation according to this plan takes three years. During this time, monthly unemployment benefits are paid. If you have the desire and are ready to work, this is a good opportunity to get an education for free and start a career. Read more about the program on the websites:

• te-pavletut.fi
• workinfinland.fi

After such preparation, a residence permit with the right to work in Finland is not a problem.

Seasonal work

Without a special permit for seasonal work in Finland, you are allowed to work for up to 90 days:

• teachers;
• artists;
• trainers;
• scientists;
• sailors;
• berry and mushroom pickers;
• tour organizers.

Holders of biometric passports must have certificates confirming their future activities.

To obtain a certificate, you must provide the following documents to the representative office of the Finnish Migration Service:

• receipt for payment of services;
• completed form TY6_plus;
• original contract from the employer;
• copy of passport;
• the Tod_p_kausi questionnaire filled out by the employee.

To travel to Finland you will need an appropriate visa. It allows you to work only in the country, but not in the rest of the European Union. Issued for 90 days, valid for six months.

Questionnaire

Filling out the form is permitted in English or Russian (exclusively in Latin letters). Swedish or Finnish are also acceptable. It is not recommended to use special characters of the Russian alphabet when filling out.

Key points to note.

1. Point 21. In the purpose of the trip, select “other” and enter - seasonal work (indicate which one).
2. Item 32. Enter the address and name of the company that is making the invitation. It is also important to indicate the company’s phone number, fax number, and contact details of the responsible representative.
3. Paragraph 33. Describe who is paying for the trip. In most cases, the hiring company covers the costs.

Approval of the application depends on the correct completion of the form. Therefore, you should carefully consider this process.

Validity period of a Finnish work visa

The duration of a visa depends on its type:

• short-term (SZ). Does not require a long stay in the country. The validity period does not exceed a year. A residence permit is not required;
• long-term (D). Validity period: 3 years. A residence permit and an application from the employer to the Migration Service are required.

The period for which the visa will be issued is indicated in the invitation to work.

Types of work visas and their validity periods

Visa documents are divided into different categories; a foreigner chooses the type depending on his goals. Processing time is from 2 to 4 weeks. The maximum validity of a permit is 4 years, but there are varieties that are good for only a few days.

For temporary seasonal work

In 2021, changes were adopted in Finnish legislation, and now seasonal work does not require a visa. This type of activity will require a special certificate. It is issued only to holders of new-style foreign passports, that is, biometric ones. A certificate is not needed only for picking wild berries. Validity period: 90 days. Registration of the document takes up to 3 months.

For international transport

For this type of activity, two types of visas may be suitable: transit, issued for a period of 5 days, and multiple-entry - for 6-12 months. The choice of permitting mark depends on the number of planned visits to the state. Types of activities that relate to international transportation:

Freight transportation

Drivers, along with basic documents, must submit a request from the employer, which will indicate the work being performed, and a copy of the driver’s license with the specified category.

Cargo transportation without ASMAP membership

In addition to a request from the employer and a driver’s license, you must attach a permit giving the right to engage in international transportation and a special invitation from the Finnish partner.

For drivers of minibuses with a capacity of 8 seats or more

The list of documents is almost the same as those required for freight transportation:

• request from the employer;
• copy of the driver's license.

You must also attach a copy of the permit for international transport.

For drivers of minibuses with a capacity of up to 8 seats

A company certificate of registration and documentary evidence that the company is engaged in passenger transportation are required.

For sailors

To transit through Finland, a seafarer will need to show a passport and a copy of it and an invitation issued by the shipping company or employer.

It is worth noting that a temporary work visa - Seasonal work F1 - is issued to foreigners who enter Finnish territory for the purpose of participating in seasonal work. Most often, temporary employees from other countries are hired by agricultural farms that need additional workers during the harvest.

For the purpose of scientific cooperation

For this visa, in addition to the visa application form, you need two more documents:

• invitation issued by the employer;
• program of events for every day.

The validity period of the visa varies from person to person.

To accompany a family member

The following papers will be required:

• a document that confirms family ties with the accompanied family member;
• a copy of the accompanying family member's visa.

This visa is issued for a limited period, usually not exceeding a few days.

For inspection and purchase of real estate

If a person has not yet purchased property, then he will need to provide an agreement indicating where the purchase is planned. After purchasing real estate, to obtain a visa, it will be enough to show an extract from the house register and information about paying taxes. The duration of the visa varies from person to person.

Search for vacancies and resumes in Finland

If in 2008 it was difficult to find a job in Finland, as elsewhere, due to the global financial crisis, today the situation has improved significantly for those who want to move to an EU country and improve their financial situation. As of 2021, unemployment in the country is 7%; new vacancies in Finland are increasingly appearing due to large-scale investments and the development of private entrepreneurship.

Since 2015, the influx of foreigners in the country has amounted to more than 10,000 people. In terms of numbers, residents of the CIS are in second place, and Estonians are in third place. Today the situation has changed regarding the requirements for visitors - qualifications and knowledge of the Finnish language are required.

To find a well-paid legal job in Finland, it is necessary to know Finnish. Knowledge of English will be a plus. The country helps foreigners take intensive language courses. According to statistics, a 6-month course is enough to gain speaking skills. For seasonal work in Finland, women or men may not need the language.

Finns are demanding when it comes to education. You must confirm your qualifications at one of the country’s universities. Confirming a diploma from the CIS will be problematic. Some professional areas require an additional special permit or card (issued after passing exams or testing).

To get a job in Finland directly from employers without intermediaries in 2021, you must obtain a work permit. To do this, you first need to find an employer for whom your knowledge will be useful. Then contact the Embassy or the Finnish police. The permit is issued for one area of ​​activity.

It is possible to work in Finland without a permit for the following vacancies:

• teachers in schools, teachers in universities;
• athletes and coaches;
• sports referees;
• artists, actors, directors;
• farm employees (seasonal harvest work);
• research assistants;
• sailors;
• guides, organizers of tourist excursions.

There is no minimum living wage in Finland. Employers and unions set this figure at the local level. There is an average salary indicator - 3400-4500 euros monthly. This is the highest figure among other EU countries.

It is easier for Ukrainians, Russians, and Belarusians to find work in Finland in the southern part of the country. There is also a high demand for foreigners in Helsinki. It is more realistic to find vacancies in the following areas:

• provision of services;
• sales;
• industry;
• production;
• construction;
• medicine.

Such vacancies for work in Finland - social workers, IT specialists and engineers. The most available vacancies for workers without special education are agricultural and farming (picking vegetables, fruits, berries, mushrooms).

Moving to Finland: pros and cons

Finland takes migration policy seriously. To obtain EU resident status, you will have to work hard. Is it worth it? The question is rhetorical. But we can say with confidence that Finland is a developed country, and a qualified worker will have great prospects here that are unavailable to many residents of the CIS countries.

Documents - Work permit: Finland

To migrate, you need a work permit in Finland. A residence permit is granted to a married couple who have lived together for at least 2 years, if they have sufficient means of subsistence. If a foreigner wants to work in this country, he must have a special work permit - tyolupa. The consular fee for reviewing documentation is 67 euros.

Who does not need a work permit?

1. For those who have a residence permit in Finland. 2. If you have a temporary residence permit, if: • the person was a citizen of Finland; • father or mother are citizens of the country or were citizens; • in the case of a civil marriage with a resident of the country or foreigners permanently residing here; • when receiving refugee status; • in case of issuing a residence permit based on the need for protection.

3. If the residence permit is related to studying in Finland. In this case, you can work part-time during the holidays.

Obtaining a work permit - application

When the future place of work is already known, you can apply for a job. The employer requests a certificate from the labor exchange, which confirms the possibility of issuing a work permit. Current vacancies in Finland are important here. After a positive verdict, the certificate is sent to the future employee. After this you can submit your application.

Application procedure

1. You must contact the consulate at your place of residence - submit your application here. 2. As soon as the issue related to issuing a work permit is resolved, you can obtain a residence permit - it is issued by the consulate.

2. When submitting an application for the first time, documents for a work permit and residence permit are issued in exceptional cases.

Most often, a permit is issued for 1 year. If the work is short-term, the permit period may be less than a year.

Restrictions

The permit contains the scope of work and the employer, a certain field of activity. If you change your place of work, you must obtain a new permit.

Residence permit and basis for obtaining a residence permit in Finland

Business immigration to the country

Working in Europe is the dream of many people. In order to carry it out in Finland, the permit must be properly issued. Based on work in a Finnish company, you can obtain a residence permit. If the whole family moves, then in this case there should be a corresponding minimum wage.

Those who have been granted a residence permit have all the rights of Finnish citizens.

You can travel to Schengen countries without a visa - you can stay here until 180, no more than ninety days in a row.

The first time the permit is issued for a year, then for 4 years. After this, an application for permanent residence is written, it is unlimited.

Finland, Helsinki - providing work

A temporary residence permit is granted for a year or even less, depending on the length of stay - for work or study. The permit is marked with the letter B. After the validity period has passed, there is the possibility of extension if the applicant has reasons - this could be study, for example. Maximum extension is one year at a time. In order to change the basis of stay to continuous, a special request must be made.

Immigration on a work visa is possible if there is a Finnish employer who is interested in such a specialist.

Training, higher education in the country

Foreigners can study at universities in Finland. During this time they receive a residence permit, the opportunity to work with a limited schedule. A foreigner can obtain a residence permit for a period of one year. If the exams are passed successfully. then the residence permit is extended.

Real estate

In order to purchase Finnish real estate, you must apply for a residence permit. A Schengen visa is allowed for a period of 180 days when purchasing real estate. Moreover, in one half of the year there are 90 days, in the other - the same.

Permanent residence in Finland

Upon permanent residence for 4 years under a continuous residence permit, a foreigner can obtain a permanent residence permit. In the permit, a permanent residence permit is marked with the letter P, a continuous one - A. If one of the family members has permanent residence or is a citizen of Finland, then the closest relatives can obtain a residence permit in Finland, and on a permanent basis, not temporarily. This applies to the wife and minor children under 18 years of age.

Citizens living in other countries can also obtain a residence permit if they have Finnish roots. It is important to know Finnish. To obtain a residence permit, documents confirming relationship are provided. Besides. taking a language exam.

Citizenship in Finland

After living in this country for 6 years, there is a real opportunity to obtain citizenship.

Employment procedure: documents

To obtain legal employment on Finnish territory, citizens of Russia and CIS countries must obtain special entry documents. Currently, there are several types of them:

• temporary work visa;
• residence permit;
• EU blue card.

A residence permit looks like a small card with a photograph of the owner and his personal data. The document contains a list of specialties that are available for employment.

A residence permit gives the right to work in the country without restrictions. If you find employment without a residence permit, that is, illegally, the migrant will be deported and prohibited from entering the territory of the European Union for 10 years.