How to apply for Finland work visa?

Finland is on the path of economic growth and consequently, job opportunities are on the rise. This includes job opportunities for overseas workers.

The job opportunities will be in the technology, IT and healthcare sectors. Job opportunities will also exist in the automobile manufacturing and maritime sectors. According to reports, Finland will need around 50,000 technology workers by 2021, more than 10,000 new software developers in the next 4 years and more than 30,000 workers for the maritime and automobile manufacturing sectors.

The country is looking at hiring many foreign employees for these vacant positions to help continue the path to economic growth.

Finland offers various work visa options for those who want to come and work here.

Work visa options

Citizens of countries outside of the European Union (EU) are required to apply for a residence permit before working in Finland. The type of permit depends on the nature of the work they’ll be doing for their employer. The following three categories of Finnish work visas are available:

• Business visa: A business visa allows the employee to live as long as 90 days in Finland. This visa does not permit the employee to interact directly with the job. This visa helps the person to attend the seminars and conferences. This visa could be applicable to employees during the onboarding process who will not stay back in Finland to work in the country.
• Residence permit for self-employment: This permit can be given to individuals within a company, including private businessmen, associates, and cooperative leaders. Before this permit can be granted has to be registered with the Trade Register at the National Patent and Registration Board.
• Residence permit for an employed person: This visa is the most common type of work visa. There are three types of visas in this category-
• Continuous (A), Temporary (B), and Permanent (P). Employees who are seeking residency for the first time in Finland will apply for a Temporary Permit.
• A temporary residency permit is issued as a fixed-term (B) or continuous residence permit, depending on the duration of the stay. The first permit is usually given for one year unless you apply explicitly for a shorter validity period. Ongoing residence permits may be extended at a time for a maximum of three years.

Documents required

To obtain a working visa in Finland, each employee will need:

• An employment contract
• A valid passport and passport photo
• A residence permit for an employed person application
• Medical certificates

Application process

The process starts with the employee being offered a position with a Finnish company.  In order to live and work legally in Finland an employment contract is required.

The employee will have to apply for a residence permit before coming to Finland which can be done online through the Enter Finland service. The employee will have to visit a Finnish diplomatic mission within three months of filing the application. He must present original copies of the documents, supporting documents and his fingerprints. The application will be reviewed by the Employment and Economic Development Office. The Finnish Immigration Service or Migri will make the final decision after ensuring the employee meets all requirements for a residence permit. Both the employee and the employer will be notified of the decision through the mail.

After approval, the employee will receive a residence permit card from the Finnish embassy. The first permit is valid for one year and can be renewed later.