For future Oulu citizens
Moving abroad and building a new life is an exciting, life-changing experience. But dealing with a different country can be challenging. Where should I begin?
Nordic citizen:
If you are a citizen of a Nordic country (Denmark, Iceland, Norway or Sweden) and migrate to Finland, you do not need to apply for a residence visa or provide any justification for your stay. In Finland, you have the same employment, business, and educational opportunities as Finnish nationals.
If you intend to stay in Finland for more than six months, please register at a service location of the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.
EU/EEA citizen:
If you plan to stay in Finland for less than three months, EU citizens have the same rights as Finnish citizens to work, study, and start a business. The same is true for Swiss and Liechtenstein residents.
If you intend to stay in Finland for more than three months, you must apply to the Finnish Immigration Service (Maahanmuuttovirasto) for the registration of an EU citizen’s right of residence, and you must have a job, a running business, a study place, long-term family ties, or sufficient resources. The application must be submitted no later than three months after the date of arrival.
If you plan on moving to Finland for at least a year and want to live as a municipality resident, you must notify the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (Digi- ja väestötietovirasto). In Finland, if you have a municipality of residence (kotikunta), you are usually entitled to use its services.
No-EU citizen:
If you intend to stay in Finland for less than 90 days, you must apply for a visa, which is an entry permit for a short, temporary visit of less than 90 days, unless you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country. Please visit the foreign ministry’s website to get more information.
If you intend to stay in Finland for more than 90 days, you must first apply to the Finnish Immigration Service for a residence permit. The type of residence permit you require is determined by your reason for moving to Finland. You must apply on your behalf for a residence permit. If you are already in Finland, you must visit the Finnish Immigration Service within three months of submitting your application for a residence permit. If you are not yet a resident of Finland, you can apply for one online at EnterFinalnd.fi. However, you must visit a Finnish embassy or consulate in person within three months of submitting your application to confirm your identity and present original copies of your application appendices.
Once you have been granted a residence permit by the Finnish Immigration Service and have relocated to Finland/Oulu, you must register your municipality of residence in the population register to use municipal services. Please visit the Digital and population data services agency’s website to get more information about the registration for foreigners.