Work visas in Finland: An employer’s guide

Hiring in Finland? Whether you’re bringing on a new team member or relocating someone from your existing workforce, you’ll need to follow the country’s immigration and residence permit rules.

Understanding which type of visa or residence permit applies is key, since every worker needs the right documentation before they can legally work in Finland. Add in local laws around immigration, tax, and employment, and things can get complicated quickly.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide. Here, you’ll find a comprehensive breakdown of work visas in Finland, from the different options available to practical tips. So let’s jump straight in.

Why is it important to obtain the right work visa in Finland?

If you’re hiring or relocating employees in Finland, it’s important to stay compliant with the country’s visa and residence permit rules. Failing to do so can expose your business to financial penalties, legal risks, and even reputational damage.

To avoid complications, it's crucial to make sure that every team member has the right legal status to live and work in the country before they start, and that you seek professional advice where necessary.

See also: The complete employer’s guide to hiring in Finland

Who needs a work visa in Finland?

Anyone who is not a Finnish citizen and wants to work in Finland generally needs a residence permit for employment, with the exceptions of:

• Citizens of European Union (EU) countries
• Citizens of Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein

However, workers in these categories must register their right of residence if they plan to stay and work in Finland long term.

For employers, it’s your responsibility to confirm that every foreign national you hire has the legal right to work. This usually means checking their residence permit card, passport, or other official travel documents before employment begins.

Note that Remote’s Relocation service can help advise on whether your employee is eligible to work in Finland, and provide tailored guidance on visa and immigration requirements. Learn more.

Types of work visas in Finland

Finland offers several types of work visa, including:

Residence permit for an employed person (TTOL permit)

The residence permit for an employed person (also known as the TTOL permit) is Finland’s most common work permit for non-EU/EEA nationals, and is comparable to the D visa in most countries. It applies to a wide range of roles across industries and is often the route employers use when hiring foreign workers.

One key aspect of the TTOL residence permit is the labour market test. Before approval, Finnish authorities assess whether the position could reasonably be filled by a local or EU/EEA candidate, and they will only approve if they are satisfied it cannot.

The TTOL residence permit is typically valid for one to four years, depending on the employment contract. If the job is ongoing, your employee can apply to renew their permit before it expires. As the employer, you should be prepared to provide supporting documentation such as the employment contract, details of the job role, and evidence that working conditions meet Finnish labor standards.

Because of the labor market test, the processing time can be longer than other permits (around 40 days on average), so you are advised to start early if planning to hire from abroad.

It’s important to note that employers sponsoring this visa are responsible for ensuring compliance with Finnish labor and tax laws, including proper registration, payroll contributions, and timely renewals. Without the correct visa and residence permit, both you and your employee risk fines, legal issues, and work interruptions. If you don’t yet have a local entity in Finland, you can use an employer of record (EOR) like Remote, which acts as the official sponsor and handles compliance, making the process significantly smoother. What is an EOR and how does it work?

Specialist residence permit

The specialist residence permit (also known as the specialist visa) is designed for highly skilled professionals, making it a faster and more streamlined option compared to the TTOL permit. It’s often used for roles where specialist expertise is essential, such as IT experts, engineers, and senior managers.

To qualify, your employee must have relevant qualifications or significant professional experience and must meet or exceed a minimum monthly salary threshold set by the Finnish authorities. The permit is generally valid for one to two years, with the possibility of renewal.

One of the biggest advantages of this permit is speed, with the processing time usually around a few weeks. Employers also benefit from a simpler process because no labor market test is required, but you must still provide proof of the job offer, employment terms, and compliance with Finnish employment laws.

This makes the specialist residence permit an excellent option for companies that need to relocate top talent quickly to fill critical roles.

EU Blue Card

The European Union Blue Card is a residence permit that enables highly skilled professionals from outside the EU to live and work in most of the 27 member states. 

The EU Blue Card is a valid Finnish work permit, and holders can live and work in Finland without requiring additional visas or permits.

However, the requirements for obtaining an EU Blue Card are strict. Learn more about EU Blue Cards.

Finland also offers other type of work permits, including:

• Seasonal work permit: This is primarily for seasonal work, usually in in industries like agriculture, forestry, or tourism. Finland's seasonal work permit is typically valid for up to nine months.
• Researcher or student permits: These are designed for individuals coming to Finland to conduct research or study, with work rights attached in certain cases.
• Startup entrepreneur permit: This is a business visa rather than an employment visa, but it may still be viable in certain cases. It is for entrepreneurs planning to establish and run a startup in Finland, and requires approval from Business Finland.
  
  

Does Finland offer a digital nomad visa?

The Finnish immigration service does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa for remote workers.

What about the Schengen Visa?

The Schengen Visa is simply a travel authorization for those who wish to stay in a member state of the Schengen Area (such as Finland) for up to 90 days (within a 180-day period). It does not give holders legal permission to work in Finland.

What are the visa requirements in Finland?

For non-EU/EEA employees, the visa application form must be submitted before traveling to Finland. The application itself can be submitted online through the Enter Finland service, although your employee will still need to visit the visa application centre at their local Finnish embassy or consular office for biometric identifiers.

To support their application, they will typically need to provide:

• A signed employment contract
• A valid passport with photo
• Proof of payment of the application processing fee
• Any required medical certificates
• Travel insurance

As the employer, you must confirm your employee’s application by submitting the TEM 054 form to the Finnish immigration service (this can also be done online through the Enter Finland service). In addition, you are required to retain the employee’s documents for possible inspection by the Finnish Tax Administration, occupational safety and health authorities, and law enforcement.

You will also need to provide:

• A copy of the employment contract
• A certificate confirming the company’s taxes are paid (or a statement of any tax debts)
• Certificates showing the company has paid all required statutory insurance premiums (e.g., TyEL pension insurance)
• A report detailing the company’s current workforce
• A report on the company’s recruitment efforts within Finland and the EU/EEA labor market

These requirements are designed to ensure that foreign hires are necessary, that companies are compliant with Finnish labor laws, and that employees have fair working conditions. Employers should be prepared for additional scrutiny from the Finnish trade register and the Finnish immigration service if documentation is incomplete or if labor market recruitment efforts are not clearly demonstrated.

Once a residence permit is granted and the employee arrives in Finland, they will need to register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV). This step ensures they are officially entered into the Finnish Population Information System (which is necessary for accessing everyday services such as healthcare and banking), and enables them to be fully onboarded into payroll and taxed correctly.

How can Remote help?

To hire or relocate employees to Finland, you’ll have to establish your own local entity there. This is a process that can be complex, lengthy, and expensive.

You also need to comply with relevant immigration laws and regulations to avoid potential penalties, as well as handle payroll, benefits, and all other HR requirements.

This is where Remote’s EOR service can be invaluable. We act as the legal employer in Finland on your company’s behalf, and handle onboarding, payroll, and benefits. We help ensure that you are fully compliant with all local employment and payroll tax laws, and can onboard your employee in a matter of days, too, saving you time, money, and resources.

Alternatively, if you already have an entity in Finland, we can assist in international employee relocation with case-by-case immigration assessments, and guidance on the visa process.

To learn more about the processes involved in relocating international employees, download Remote's Relocation Guide, or contact our Relocation team today.