Visas

For short visits to Finland, many nationals do not require visas. All EU/EEA nationals, and the nationals of Switzerland, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and most South American countries do not require visas to enter Finland for stays of up to three months.

Nationals of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland are allowed to live and work in Finland for up to three months without a residence permit.

Those foreign nationals who require a visa to enter Finland should apply for this at the Finnish embassy or consulate in their home country, before travelling to Finland.

Residence permits

In order to live and work in Finland for a period exceeding three months it is necessary for all foreign nationals to obtain a residence permit. Initially, this should be obtained from the Finnish embassy or consulate in their home country. For foreign nationals who are already in Finland, residence permits can be obtained from the local police station.

Nationals of the other Nordic countries are not required to obtain a residence permit. Foreign spouses of Finnish or other Nordic nationals are normally granted a residence permit, regardless of their own nationality.

When applying for a residence permit, the documentation required includes details of employment or a job offer in Finland, evidence of sufficient funds to support the applicant and their family while living in Finland and a medical certificate.

Application forms and full details of documentation required are available on the Directorate of Immigration website. Residence permits are normally granted for one year for temporary work appointments and five years for permanent employment contracts.

Employment permits

The citizens of EU and EEA member states, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Iceland are not required to obtain employment permit in order to take up work in Finland, although the citizens of those countries that joined the EU in May 2004 are still required to register with an employment office. The nationals of other Nordic countries are not required to obtain an employment permit.

In order to work in Finland the nationals of other countries, or their prospective Finnish employers, must apply for a worker's residence permit either from the Finnish embassy in their home country, or from the employment office or local police department in Finland. Application forms and details of documentation required are available on the website of the Finnish Ministry of Labour.

Permanent residence

In order to be considered for permanent residence in Finland, it is necessary to have lived in Finland for a continuous period of three years.

Citizenship

Foreign nationals can apply for Finnish citizenship after living in Finland for a continuous period of six years.