Work-Based Residence Permit Finland
A work-based residence permit allows a non-EU citizen to work in Finland. The application requires a job offer, and in many cases, the employer must complete a partial decision form. The rules changed in 2025, including faster processing for certain sectors and a new income requirement. A&Co. Legal helps with application preparation, employer compliance, and appeals.
A work-based residence permit allows a non-EU citizen to work in Finland. The rules changed in 2025, including faster processing for certain sectors and a new income requirement.
What is a work-based residence permit?
A work-based residence permit (työperäinen oleskelulupa) allows a non-EU citizen to reside and work in Finland. The permit is tied to a specific employer and, in some cases, to a specific occupation. The permit is typically granted for one to two years and can be extended. To apply, you need a job offer from a Finnish employer, and the employer must generally complete a partial decision form (osallistumisilmoitus) before or alongside your application. The permit type depends on the nature of the work: there are permits for specialist workers, general workers, and seasonal workers, each with different requirements and processing times.
What changed in work-based residence permit rules in 2025?
The work-based residence permit rules were amended in 2025. Key changes include: a faster processing track for certain sectors where there is a labor shortage, a new income requirement for work-based permits (linked to the collective agreement minimum wage), and changes to the employer's obligations in the partial decision process. The changes aim to speed up processing for sectors with labor shortages while tightening the income requirement to ensure that work-based permits are not used for below-market-wage employment. If you are applying based on rules you read before 2025, verify that the requirements have not changed. A lawyer can confirm the current rules and ensure your application meets the latest requirements.
What is the employer's role in the application?
The employer plays a key role in a work-based residence permit application. Before or alongside the employee's application, the employer must submit a partial decision form (osallistumisilmoitus) to Migri, confirming the job offer, the salary, and the terms of employment. The employer must also comply with Finnish labor law, including collective agreement minimum wages, working time regulations, and occupational health and safety requirements. If the employer fails to complete the partial decision form or provides incomplete information, the application can be delayed or refused. The employer's compliance history (e.g., prior labor law violations) can also affect the outcome. A lawyer can advise both the employer and the employee on their respective roles and obligations.
What is the income requirement for a work-based permit?
As of 2025, work-based residence permits require that the salary meets a minimum threshold linked to the collective agreement minimum wage for the relevant sector. This means that the offered salary must be at least as high as the minimum wage in the applicable collective agreement (työehtosopimus). The purpose of the income requirement is to ensure that work-based permits are not used for below-market-wage employment and to protect the Finnish labor market. If the offered salary is below the threshold, the application can be refused. The threshold varies by sector and occupation. A lawyer can confirm whether the offered salary meets the current threshold and, if not, whether the application can be adjusted or whether an exception applies.
Can you change jobs with a work-based residence permit?
Yes, but with conditions. A work-based residence permit is generally tied to a specific employer. If you change employers, you must apply for a new residence permit (or, in some cases, a permit amendment) before starting the new job. The new employer must also complete a partial decision form. If you change occupations, you may need a completely new permit. However, the 2025 rule changes introduced more flexibility for certain permit types, allowing job changes within the same occupation without a new permit in some cases. Working without the correct permit (e.g., starting a new job before the permit is granted) can jeopardize your current permit and future applications. A lawyer can advise on whether a permit amendment or a new application is needed.
How much does a work-based residence permit application cost?
The Migri processing fee for a work-based residence permit is 350 EUR for online applications and 470 EUR for paper applications (first application, as of 2026). Extensions cost less. Legal fees for assistance with the application depend on complexity: a straightforward application review may cost 400–800 EUR, while a more complex case (e.g., income threshold issues, employer compliance concerns, or a prior refusal) may cost 800–2,000 EUR. If the application is refused and an appeal is needed, the appeal is billed separately. For businesses, we also advise employers on their compliance obligations. We always provide a written cost estimate before starting any work.
Immigration Law Finland
This page covers work-based residence permits. For a full overview of our immigration law services — including family-ties permits, appeals, citizenship, and entry bans — visit our main immigration law page.
View all immigration law servicesRelated pages
Sources
- Aliens Act (301/2004) – Finlex (English translation)
- Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) – English
- Migri – Permanent residence permit
- Migri – Application for a permanent residence permit
- Migri – Amendments to Aliens Act 2026 (permanent residence permits)
- Migri – Period of residence requirement
- Supreme Administrative Court (KHO) – decisions
- EU Return Directive (2008/115/EC) – EUR-Lex
Content reviewed by: Pezhman Ahmadi, OTM — Immigration Law
Updated: September 26, 2026
Applying for a work-based residence permit?
The rules changed in 2025. Contact us to confirm the income requirement, prepare the application, and ensure your employer's compliance.