💼 Work After Studies

Your pathway from student to professional life in Finland

Finland actively encourages international graduates to stay and build their careers in the country. With generous post-study work rights, a growing job market in tech, business, and innovation, and a clear path to permanent residency, Finland is one of Europe’s best destinations for students looking to transition from academia to industry.

🎯 Stay-Back & Work Options for International Graduates

1. Residence Permit for Job Seeking or Starting a Business

Duration: Up to 2 years after graduation
Eligibility:

  • Graduates of Finnish universities or universities of applied sciences

  • Must have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree

Purpose:

  • Search for full-time employment

  • Launch a startup or begin freelancing

Work rights:

  • Full-time work is allowed during the validity of this permit

2. Residence Permit for Employment

Once you receive a job offer related to your field of study, you can apply for a work-based residence permit.

Popular options include:

  • Residence Permit for Specialist – For skilled professionals with higher salaries

  • Residence Permit for Employment – Standard for full-time jobs

  • EU Blue Card – For highly qualified non-EU professionals (higher salary threshold)

Requirements:

  • A valid job offer or employment contract

  • Salary must meet minimum legal thresholds (e.g., ~€3,500/month for specialists)

3. Entrepreneurship & Startup Permit

Finland supports innovation and startups through dedicated residence permits.
If you plan to start your own business, you can apply for a Residence Permit for Entrepreneurs, including the Startup Permit for scalable businesses.

Support includes:

  • Business incubators (e.g., Business Finland)

  • International startup hubs in Helsinki, Espoo, and Tampere

🧑‍💼 Types of Jobs & Internships Available

Work Type Description Eligibility
Full-Time Jobs Roles in IT, business, engineering, healthcare, etc. Post-study permit or employment-based permit
Internships Often part of degree programs; can lead to job offers Usually covered under student permit
Research Positions Universities, labs, and PhD/postdoc projects Work/residence permit for scientific research
Startups & Freelance Open to entrepreneurs and creatives Requires appropriate startup or entrepreneurship visa

💡 Important Tips for Staying & Working in Finland

  • 🇫🇮 Language Skills: English is widely used in tech and academia, but learning Finnish or Swedish improves local job prospects

  • 🤝 Networking: Engage with alumni events, LinkedIn, job fairs, and university career centers

  • 📆 Timing: Apply for the job-seeking permit before your student residence permit expires

  • 💰 Salary Thresholds: Vary by permit type—check migri.fi for current figures

📑 Documents Required for Post-Study Work Permits

  • Valid passport and existing residence permit

  • Degree certificate from a Finnish institution

  • Proof of job offer or business plan (if applicable)

  • Health insurance

  • Proof of sufficient financial resources

  • Employment contract (for work-based permit)

🌍 Long-Term Residency & Citizenship in Finland

After 4 years of continuous legal residence (on any permit), you may apply for:

  • Permanent Residence Permit

  • Finnish Citizenship (subject to language proficiency and integration assessment)

📩 How Can Impel Overseas Consultants Help?

We assist you with:

✅ Guidance on stay-back permits and application timelines
✅ Career support aligned with Finland’s visa rules
✅ Help with startup, freelance, or employment-based visa paths
✅ End-to-end documentation and compliance assistance

🎓 Your journey from student to professional in Finland starts here.
Contact us today to explore your future in one of the world’s most innovative and inclusive countries. 🇫🇮✨