Introduction
The Finnish immigration system
Whether you need a visa or not to come to Finland depends on what country you are coming from, as well as how long you are staying for. You should check this as far in advance as possible.
If you plan to live in Finland for an extended period of time, a visa on its own may not cover you for this. Therefore you need to be clear whether you are applying for a visa or a residence permit.
EU, EEA and Nordic nationals are able to enter and work in Finland for an unlimited period of time. Other foreign nationals from countries such as the USA, Canada and Australia need a visa which allows them to stay in Finland for up to three months. They are not allowed to take up paid work during this three month period, and they may have to show a return ticket and provide evidence of sufficient finances to cover their stay in Finland.
Living in Finland requires you to obtain a residence permit from the regional government office. In general any stay that lasts longer than three months, or is in connection with studying or working in Finland, will require a residence and/or work permit. However there are special rules for EU citizens, as well as citizens from the Nordic Countries, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Also in this section
- Introduction: The Finnish immigration system
- Short-stay visas: Visas for stays up to 3 months
- Residence permits: Who needs a residence permit for Finland?
- Students: Permits for studying in Finland
- Work permits for Finland: Requirements and applications
- Citizenship: How to get Finnish nationality