Finland Residence Permit for an Employed Person
TTOL employed-person permit & specialist permit via Migri and the Enter Finland service
Finland issues a residence permit for an employed person, often called the TTOL permit, for non-EU workers, with a separate specialist permit for higher-qualified roles. Applications are filed through the Enter Finland online service and decided by Migri, the Finnish Immigration Service, with a partial labour-market assessment by the TE Office on the standard route. Finland has clear shortages in welding and shipbuilding, construction, health and social care, and seasonal work, so skilled tradespeople from Asia have a defined legal pathway to fee-free employment with verified Finnish employers offering compliant terms and conditions.
Step-by-Step Process
Job Offer & Terms Check
The Finnish employer offers a role with pay and conditions meeting Finnish collective-agreement minimums and completes the employer's terms-of-employment section of the application.
Enter Finland Application
The worker submits the residence-permit application via the Enter Finland service, pays the fee, and visits a Finnish mission or VFS centre to verify identity and provide biometrics.
Migri & TE Office Decision
On the standard route the TE Office assesses labour-market availability and Migri issues the final decision. Specialist permits are processed without the labour-market test.
Arrival & Registration
On approval the worker travels to Finland, registers with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency for a personal identity code, and begins employment.
Documentation Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak Finnish?
Usually not for the permit itself. Shipyards and many industrial employers work in English, and Finnish or Swedish language courses are commonly offered to support integration.
What is the difference between the TTOL and specialist permit?
The employed-person permit (TTOL) covers most trade roles and includes a labour-market assessment, while the specialist permit is intended for higher-qualified experts and is processed without that test.
Can the rules change?
Yes. Permit categories, fees and processing times are updated by Migri from time to time. This page is general guidance only — confirm the current requirements via Enter Finland or Migri before applying.
Legal disclaimer: Immigration law changes frequently. The information on this page is general guidance and reflects the best available understanding at the time of writing. All placements via WorkersFromAsia are reviewed for current visa route eligibility before the job is published. Contact us if you have specific questions about a candidate's eligibility.