Time to get familiar with life in Oulu Region!
International House Oulu

Welcome to International House Oulu (IH Oulu)!
IH Oulu is a venue at BusinessAsema that gathers different guidance services under the same roof. Services are targeted for international newcomers and immigrants, and also companies planning to recruit international people.
At our premises you can get help to questions concerning working, entrepreneurship or studying. You can also ask advice and guidance from our advisors about every day life matters. We offer integration services for those who have got asylum. Have a look at International House Oulu website or come to the House and ask, we will guide you forward.
Get in touch
Service hours: Monday–Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Email: ihoulu@ouka.fi
Address: BusinessAsema, Hallituskatu 36 B,
90100 Oulu, Finland
Follow us on social media:
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For Residents
In the International House Oulu, we provide you with information in different languages about daily living in Oulu, as well as low-threshold guidance to services offered by various organizations. You will be given all the information that you need, concerning early-stage services, basic city services, and leisure activities, for example. By using this service, you will get the newest information and guidance on the right path to the service you need.
At International House Oulu, there is always someone there to answer your questions. Our goal is to make everyone feel welcome.
Information for future Oulu citizens
The general information and guidance of International House Oulu is offered as a one-stop venue in BusinessAsema and collaborates with other services. We provide you with information in different languages about daily living in Oulu, as well as low-threshold guidance to services offered by various organizations, e.g. BusinessAsema guidance services for entrepreneurs and job seekers or services of Oulu Skills Centre. If you are eligible to the city’s integration services, we guide you to them. By using our service, you will always get the newest information and guidance on the right path to the service you need.
Service hours: Monday–Friday 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Email: ihoulu@ouka.fi
Address: BusinessAsema, Hallituskatu 36 B, 90100 Oulu, Finland
Guidance Services
Are you looking for the suitable service? Do you need support in employment and business matters? Jobseekers receive advice and guidance on all employment and business matters from BusinessAsema Guidance Services.
You can find more information on BusinessAsema’s website (opens in a new tab).
The guidance services desk is open on weekdays from 9:00 to 15:00.
You can call 08 558 55810 Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Multilingual employment support services
Oulu Skills Centre provides support services to all multilingual residents of Oulu. We offer you support on employment related questions :
- how to register as a job seeker
- support in understanding bureaucratic processes
- support in making your cv
- support in digitally accessing your employment related decisions
- support in understanding and accessing different government services
- support in finding a school or workplace for you
Employment counselling for non-Finnish speakers: 9 a.m.–12 noon.
Employment counselling for Ukrainians. Mon–Thu 9 a.m–11 a.m.
Contact: Dlovan Ishaya
Employment Advisor
+358 40 487 6735
dlovan.ishaya@ouka.fi
Languages: Finnish, Assyrian, Arabic, Kurdish
TE Office
Attention! If the person is not a Finnish citizen, he or she can only start his or her job search for the first time by visiting the TE Office. If the person has bank credentials for a strong login, this can be done online, but identity verification must be done on the spot at the local TE office.
Read more about Immigrant services and integration plan — Internationality — Job Market Finland (opens in a new tab)
The international people of Oulu can receive free consultations in English about entrepreneurship, freelancing and self-employment. To receive a consultation you do not need to have a business idea, any prepared documents or a specific residence permit type.
Our business advisor can discuss with you following topics:
- Practical questions of starting business in Finland.
- Business plan and financial calculations.
- Information about company forms and their registration.
- Insurances, regulations, and taxation.
- Startup grant and other benefits for new businesses.
After a consultation you will have an understanding of the ways you can run your business activities in Finland, a roadmap with clear steps, as well as resources with further information.
Contact: Viera Karam
Business Advisor
+ 358 40 674 7862
viera.karam@businessoulu.com
People living and insured in Finland can apply for different social security benefits, for example if you are unemployed or on pension, or have children.
Kela has phone service in Finnish (Soita Kelaan | Henkilöasiakkaat | Kela) (opens in a new tab) and English ( Call Kela | Our Services | Kela). (opens in a new tab)
You can also get instant interpreter service or book an appointment in your language at Kela office.
Kela’s pop up service guidance at BusinessAsema Fridays 12 noon – 3 p.m.
Oulu’s education selection is internationally cutting edge. After solid elementary education, our ecoystem enables moving ahead the way you want: you’ll find a wide selection of career developing job opportunities and esteemed research communities. What are you going to be when you grow up?
Daycare
Early childhood education services (daycare services) support the growth and well-being of children under school age and their families. Read more about daycare. (opens in a new tab)
Preschool
Preschool is for one year in the year prior to starting basic education. Preschool is free. Read more about preschool. (opens in a new tab)
Basic education
Basic education (comprehensive school) begins the year the child turns seven. Education, school meals, school healthcare and study materials are free. Read more about basic education. (opens in a new tab)
If your children would like to attend school in English, please contact the Oulu International School, OIS (City of Oulu’s school). In Svenska Privatskolan i Uleåborg children can study in Swedish (not City of Oulu’s school).
When you register your child for basic education, please contact the Educational and Cultural Services of the City of Oulu. (opens in a new tab)
Preparatory education, Finnish as a Second Language lessons, and mother tongue lessons
The City of Oulu offers preparatory education for basic education, which is intended for students whose Finnish skills are not yet adequate for studying in basic education groups. City of Oulu also organizes Finnish as a Second Language lessons, and mother tongue lessons (provided that at least six pupils study the same language and that a teacher or an instructor is available for the group). Read more about these. (opens in a new tab)
Upper secondary education
After basic education, students apply to the upper secondary education or to the vocational upper secondary education. At the Oulun Lyseo Upper Secondary School there is education in English (International Baccalaureate Diploma programme). Read more about upper secondary education.
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Vocational education
OSAO Ovi provides guidance and advice on applying for vocational education. OSAO Ovi admissions services help in all matters related to applying. We will provide you with guidance on sub-selection.
You can ask for advice on how and when you can apply or, for example, how you would finance your studies. You can meet study and career counselors every weekday for personal career guidance discussions. You can come visit or meet remotely via Teams.
OSAO Ovi (opens in a new tab) at BusinessAsema: Wed 12– 3 p.m.
Higher education
Oulu University of Applied Sciences
Oulu University of Applied Sciences (Oamk) offers free of charge guidance on educational opportunities for immigrants who are interested in higher education. Oamk also offers education that helps immigrants go to university, for example Finnish preparatory language courses.
In Oamk there is also a separate selection for higher education in several fields of study for immigrants. We also offer guidance in regulated professions to persons who have completed a university degree.
Contact us: Yliopistokatu 9, room 7A153E
020 611 0215 / simhe@oamk.fi / Instagram
University of Oulu
University of Oulu is one of the northernmost science universities in the world, located in the city of Oulu, Finland. Interested in becoming a degree student in one of our international programmes? Read more about bachelor’s and master’s programmes taught in English: International Programmes | University of Oulu. (opens in a new tab)
Have questions? Check how to reach us Admission Contacts. (opens in a new tab)
Interested in doctoral studies? Read more about the University of Oulu Graduate School and its doctoral programmes. (opens in a new tab)
You can find more about studying in Oulu here. (opens in a new tab)
The official languages in Finland are Finnish and Swedish. The large majority of people living in the Oulu region are Finnish speakers. It is important to study Finnish, as language skills make it easier to find a job and to integrate into daily life. Start today! Several institutions offer Finnish language courses (suomen kielen kurssit) at different levels.
Free courses
Multicultural Centre Villa Victor provides Finnish teaching from elementary to advanced level in several groups, both in classroom and online free of charge. You can join a group that suits your own skills and timetable. Read more here. (opens in a new tab)
More courses all year around
- Oulu-opisto is a community college owned and run by the City of Oulu. It offers hobby and study opportunities for people of all ages. Oulu-opisto also organises tailor-made English and Finnish courses for foreign groups. Read more here. (opens in a new tab)
- Vuolle Institute offers many courses in Finnish. Read more here. (opens in a new tab)
- Summer University of Northern Ostrobothnia offers also various courses all year round. Read more here. (opens in a new tab)
You can find more options here: finnishcourses.fi
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Learn more about Oulu
Do you want to have information about working in Oulu Region?
Find useful tips to expand your network in Oulu Region.
Meet our international talent who live in Oulu and read their inspirational stories.
For Companies
We help your company find international employees, especially from people already living in the Oulu region. We also organize recruitment events and campaigns that your company can participate in. You can participate and present your company’s vacancies in our “Job Corner” service at BusinessAsema where job seekers and companies wanting to recruit new talents meet.
In addition, we organize information sessions and coaching for companies related to international recruitment and provide information on current events and services related to the topic.
Contact person:
Salla Hirvonen, salla.hirvonen@businessoulu.com
Additional services
If your company needs support or funding related to international recruitment, the following services are available for you
Free of charge advice on things like recruiting international talent, hiring and permit processes, relocating to Finland. Service available via phone or email.
Organizes networking events, recruitment campaigns and funding for the recruitment of international talents.
Advertise for English speaking vacancies on the site.
Contains essential information that should be considered in international recruitment processes.
Immigration service for SME’s that covers up to 80% of the relocation service costs for your new employee and their family.
European cooperation network of employment services, designed to facilitate the free movement of workers. Register of over one million CV’s.
Training services
The Soft Landings training by the University of Oulu supports companies and organizations in making recruitment of an international talent successful and recruitment-related investments profitable
Find out about the services of Soft Landings training by the University of Oulu (opens in a new tab)
A free coaching service to companies in Finland that want to develop their employer image, recruitment expertise, and leadership skills that promote diversity.
Find out about the services of Imago Coaching (opens in a new tab)
Business Finland, in cooperation with Suomen Mentorit, is implementing a free mentoring program aimed at supervisors of Finnish SMEs. The program aims to develop leadership competence in an internationalizing world. You can apply for the program next in autumn 2023.
Find out about the Mentoring Programme (opens in a new tab)
The aim of the Training is to improve the personnel’s, who have a foreign background, capacity to manage their work tasks in Finnish.
Find out about the services of Workplace Finnish Training (opens in a new tab)
News & Events
Do you want to know more about upcoming events and activities? We also have a nice collection of recent topics from Oulu to offer here (opens in a new tab).