How to Get a Finnish Work Visa (9 Steps)

Finland offers numerous work opportunities for foreign nationals. For those who have already been hired and have received an employment contract permitting you to enter the country to work. You need to apply for a work visa (Verified International Stay Approval) and must prepare for the requirements and follow the application process properly.

You will need a Finnish visa if you are planning to work longer than 90 days and if you do not have citizenship for one of the following:

• The Schengen area and/or the EEA/EU.
• The Nordic countries
• New Zealand, the Vatican, San Marino, Japan, The U.S., and the Republic of Andorra

Remember, you are only eligible to enter these countries to work without a visa if you intend to stay ninety days or less.

There are a lot of things that you need to prepare before flying to the country. For a smooth process, you need to complete the requirements, attend any pre-departure seminars, etc. Here are the steps on how to apply for a work visa in Finland, read on and follow the necessary steps.

Steps to Apply for a Finnish Work Visa

You will have to schedule an appointment with the Finland Mission or Consulate to bring your application and the documentation for review. Here is some additional information that can help you with the required paperwork.

Step 1. Investigate Current Restrictions

Make sure to check the Finnish Embassy in your home country before making any official plans for your trip to Finland. There are instances where a country would not allow foreign nationals to enter the country, such examples include health issues, war, etc. Find out beforehand what the travel or visa restrictions are at this time to determine whether entry of foreign nationals is presently being allowed into the country.

Step 2. Completely Fill Out the Visa Application Form

The first step is to acquire the Finland work visa application itself. This can be done by visiting your local Finnish embassy or consulate to get one or you can often find one online at their website. Once you have it, complete the information which requires a lot of personal information.

Keep copies of your birth certificate, social security card, and other information to serve as evidence that the information you have provided is accurate. Once you have completed the application, it is time to gather the documentation which you will need to submit along with it.

Step 3. Provide Your Work Contract and Educational Verification

This would be the letter you received from your new employer permitting you to enter the country in order to start your new job. The contract would normally include information about your position, salary, and specifics as to what you will be doing while in Finland.

You will also need any transcripts or verification of your professional status, including the information regarding your university degree(s).

Step 4. Submit Proof of No Criminal Charges

You will be expected to follow the law in Finland and evidence that you have lived your life as an outstanding citizen is required in the form of a clean background check and potentially electronic fingerprinting. The officials are going to want to see that you will not be a risk to anyone during your stay in the country.

Step 5. Prepare for Travel Paperwork and No Travel Ban

You will need your flight reservations (both to Finland and your return flight), an itinerary, and any other relevant information that pertains to the traveling requirements. As part of this, you must not be subject to a travel ban in Finland or any of the Schengen countries.

Step 6. Trade Specific Requirements

You may need certain additional requirements for a Finland work visa depending on which type of job you will be performing in the country. These additional documents are usually validations that you have specific licenses or rights to perform your duties, whether religious, medical, or some other capacity.

Step 7. Obtain Necessary Documents

Two colored and clear photographs plus a passport are the typical requirements for any visa whether it is a work visa or a student visa. The photos must meet strict criteria, including nothing blocking or obscuring your facial features, a gray background, and a neutral expression.

For the passport, it needs to be current and must be six months valid before your planned departure. Two blank spaces are required inside, one of which will be used to stamp your Finland work visa upon its approval.

Salary statements, bank statements, credit reports, and any other documentation that shows that you will be financially viable during your stay are paramount. The Consulate is required to make certain that you will not face any financial hardships while staying in Finland and that you have the means to take care of yourself in the event of a medical emergency or other unexpected situations.

If you plan to stay in Finland, you will need a place to live. Furthermore, you will need to prove that you do, in fact, have one. As part of the process of making sure that you can sustain yourself, you will need documentation detailing any hotel or residence in which you will be staying and proof that you will be able to maintain this residence until your return flight.

Step 8. Schedule an Interview and Wait for the Visa Result

Once you have everything you need (and anything else you think you may need), you are ready to submit your application at your local embassy or consulate. Schedule an interview. Once you have completed that, all that is left to do is wait for the result of your visa.

Documents Needed for a Finnish Work Visa

There are a series of requirements needed beforehand. Here is a list to help you organize everything that you need to ensure that your application goes as smoothly as possible with little or no delays.

We hope that this article on how to get a Finland work visa was helpful! If you want to learn more about studying requirements in Finland then make sure to also check out Study in Finland Page! You can also check Available Programs for International Students to learn more about studying abroad!