Look for Jobs as an International Student with a Finland Post Study Work Visa 

A Finland post-study work visa is for anyone who has completed a degree or research in Finland. You must have already held a residence permit based on study or research to get this visa. The permit is given for 2 years and can be renewed. During this time, you can seek employment in the country or set up a business. This blog covers everything you need to know about the Finland post-study work visa: its requirements, application process, fees, and more.

What is a Finland Post Study Work Visa?

A Finland post study work visa is a type of residence permit (a residence permit to look for work or to start a business). You can apply for this as an extended permit if you already hold a residence permit based on study/research. The permit is for those who have completed their degree or research in Finland. Those who are applying from abroad need to apply for a first permit.

The ‘residence permit to look for work or to start a business permit’ is available to you even if you do not have a job. Similarly, those who have a job but don’t earn enough to get a work permit can apply. The application can be submitted after graduation or if you are about to graduate within 3 months. The permit allows you to seek employment or set up a business in Finland. Later on, you can apply for a work permit

Eligibility Criteria for Finland Post Study Work Visa 

The eligibility criteria for the Finland post-study work visa are provided below

• You must have completed a degree/research in Finland 
• You must hold a residence permit for study/research
• Have an intent to start a business or seek employment in Finland 
• You have not yet found a job, or your job isn’t paying enough to meet the criteria for a work permit (If you are already employed in Finland)
• You have sufficient funds to cover your living expenses for the duration of stay 

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Documents Required for a Finland Post Study Work Visa 

You must meet the documentation requirements for a post study work visa to apply. The requirements are provided below  

• You must have a passport that is valid and is accepted by Finland.
• You must have a passport-size photograph as per the photo guidelines provided by the police. Moreover, the photograph must not be older than 6 months.
• Have colour copies of the passport page consisting of personal data and notes
• Completed application form, and a degree certificate attached to it
• You also need to attach documents proving that you have sufficient funds

Additional Documents to be Submitted by a Researcher 

Apart from the above documents, researchers have to submit additional documents. These documents are provided below:

• A degree certificate or a document stating that you have completed your research work. The document must include details. For example, the title and topic of the research, where and when the research was held, your contributions, confirmation by the organization, and details of the publications you have contributed to.

When to Apply for a Finland Post Study Work Visa?

You can apply for a residence permit to look for work or to start a business as soon as: 

• You have graduated/completed your research from a Finland institution, OR
• You are about to graduate from a Finnish university within 3 months 

How to Apply for a Finland Post Study Work Visa ?

To apply for a Finland post-study work visa, follow the instructions below. Note: You can for a post-study visa either online or on paper.

Fill in the Application Form

Visit the official website ‘Enter Finland’ and fill out the application form. At this stage, you are required to upload the documents. Those who are living abroad can apply for a First Residence Permit. Others can apply for an extended permit. Those who are applying for a First Residence Permit do not have to visit a service point to extend their stay.

Alternatively, you can visit the Website;’ Enter Finland’  to download the application form, and print it. Then, you can choose to fill in a paper application form.

Pay the Application Fee

You are required to pay the fees for the application processing. You can make the payment either with a credit card or by entering the Finnish online banking credentials. Those who are applying from abroad can pay the fee when they visit the Finnish Mission. Similarly, paper applicants can also pay the fee at a Finnish Mission.

Prove Your Identity By Visiting an Embassy or Consulate 

At this step, you are required to book an appointment at a Finnish embassy or consulate. This is required for you to prove your identity.  You can pay you fees (paper applicants & applicants applying from abroad) if you haven’t already paid.

Wait for the Application Outcome 

A decision regarding your permit will be made. Online applications will receive a notification regarding the same by text message or by email. Paper applications will receive details via email. If your application is approved you can continue your stay for 2 years.

Finland Post Study Work Visa Duration

The Finland post study work visa is available for 2 years. However, you can choose to get this permit in 3 parts. Under such conditions, 

• The duration of each part will be at least 6 months
• The last part must end within 3 years since part 1 has started 

Finland Post Study Work Visa Fees

The Finland post-study work visa fees for online and paper applications are provided below. You need to pay the fees to get the visa processing started.

Application Type	Permit Type	Fees
Online	First Permit	EUR 470
Online	Extended Permit	EUR 170
Paper Application	First Permit	EUR  520
Paper Application	Extended Permit	EUR 430

Minimum Bank Balance for a Finland Post Study Work Visa 

A post-study work visa will only be issued if you have sufficient funds to support yourself. That is, to cover your living expenses, accommodation expenses, and more. Therefore, we have provided you with the minimum amount required for a post study work visa.

Duration of Stay	Minimum Bank Balance
1 Month	EUR 560
2 Years	EUR 13440

Learn about the cost of living in Finland as a Job Seeker 

Finland Post Study Work Visa Processing Time

The processing time is the time taken to access your application. The Finland post-study work visa processing time is provided below:

Application Type	Permit Type	Processing Time
Online	First Permit	1–2 months
Online	Extended Permit	2 months
Paper Application	First Permit	2 months
Paper Application	Extended Permit	2–4 months

When to Start Working?

After you have obtained the ‘residence permit to look for work or to start a business’ you are free from restrictions. You can seek employment, or set up a business. Your field of study is not taken into account.

• Extended Permit Applicant: Those who have applied for an extended permit can start working as soon as they find a job or have set up a business.
• Late Applicant: Late applicants can only start working after the permit application has been approved 
• First Residence Permit Applicant: These applicants can start working as soon as their application for post-study work is accepted.

Things to Know About the Finland Post Study Work Visa 

Before applying, there are certain things you must know about the post-study work visa. They are as follows:

• Those with an A Permit (continuous residence permit) for students or researchers will get an A permit to look for work. The A permit can lead to permanent residency.
• Similarly, those with a B permit (typically granted for 1 year) for students/researchers will get a B permit to look for work. You might have to meet more conditions to obtain a permit to look for work.
• After you get a job (while you are on a residence permit to look for work) you can apply for a new residence permit or a work permit. You can apply for a Residence permit application based on research completed in Finland, or a Residence permit application for a person with a degree completed in Finland
• Ensure that you find employment or set up a business within the duration of your permit validity.

To learn about converting your student visa to a Finland work visa, watch this video:

Credit:@DesiTeacherinFinland

Can I get PR after Studying in Finland?

Yes. You can apply for permanent residency after completing your studies. To be eligible, you must fulfil the following criteria.

• You must have an A permit – a continuous residence permit given for studies.
• After completing your studies you must be employed in Finland, and obtain a permit for work.
• Thus, you must have the A permit for at least 4 years. This includes the duration of your studies. You should not have any gaps and stay continuously for 4 years in Finland.
• You need to have the documents necessary for getting a PR in Finland.
• You need to pay the Permanent Residency fee of EUR 190.

FAQs

We hope you know all about the Finland Post Study Work Visa . Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!

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