Work permit policy
The aim of the regional work permit policies is to streamline international recruitment from outside the EU and EEA countries in sectors where there is a shortage of labour. The work permit policies are related to the granting of residence permits for employed persons and the assessment of the availability of labour. We at ELY Centres define the professions in which the availability of labour has become reduced. The policies are based on regional development prospects, the Labour Force Barometer and the views of different labour market parties on the availability of labour. We will update our regional work permit policies every six months, in June and December.
Regional policies (in Finnish)
Hiring a foreign employee
When hiring an employee from a country outside the EU or EEA, and if the job title is found in the region’s work permit policy, employers do not need to advertise the job as open for two weeks in public employment services at Job Market Finland.fi as part of the application process for residence permits on the basis of work. However, the employee must apply for a residence permit on the basis of work in the EnterFinland service, and the employer must fill in the workplace’s information in EnterFinland for Employers, which is maintained by the Finnish Immigration Service.
For more detailed instructions on the residence permit process for an employed person, see:
The work permit policy does not apply to
The work permit policy does not apply to residence permits for work applied for via the fast track service or seasonal workers.
The following may apply for a residence permit for employed persons via the fast track service, among others
- Specialists
- Startup entrepreneurs
- EU Blue Card holders
- ICT experts or managers
- Middle and senior management
The work permit policy does not apply to seasonal workers either. Seasonal work refers to work in agriculture and tourism during certain seasons. The maximum duration of seasonal work is 9 months in a 12-month period. Seasonal work permits include a visa for seasonal work, a certificate for seasonal work and a residence permit for seasonal work. The duration of the work determines which seasonal work permit the applicant must apply for. Read more about seasonal work on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service:
For employers of seasonal workers (migri.fi)
When hiring EU or EEA citizens, residence permits on the basis of work are not needed. Instead, it is sufficient for employees to register their right of residence in Finland. For more information on registering the right of residence, visit the Finnish Immigration Service’s website:
Registration of the right of residence of a citizen of the European Union (migri.fi)
For more information on hiring foreign employees, visit the Finnish Immigration Service’s website:
Regional work permit policies
Use the search engine to familiarise yourself with valid work permit policies. You can examine the full work permit policy for your region in more detail by selecting your region below.
Search engine: Regional Guidelines for the Use of Foreign Workforce (tyovoimabarometri.fi)
Päivitetty: 28.01.2025