Finland · Work
Finland Post-study job search
First stay: 2 yrs
Residence permit to look for work or start a business after studies or research
Checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Post-study job search is a work route for Finland. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
- Government fees
- €750 ≈ $840
- First stay
- 2 yrs
Cost, time and long term
Government fees€750 ≈ $840
- EUR 750 (≈ $840)Online first permit (paper EUR 800 (≈ $890)); extended EUR 230 (≈ $260) online (paper EUR 430 (≈ $480)).
Shown, not spent€800+/mo ≈ $890
- EUR 800 a month (≈ $890)At the applicant's disposal for each month of the permit, for example EUR 19,200 (≈ $21,400) for a 2-year permit; on an extended permit the amount can be secured with work.
Renewal2 years max in total
Up to 2 years, usable in parts of at least 6 months; apply within five years after the previous permit ended.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Time on this route is capped at 2 years in total
- Needs earlier residence or an existing status in Finland
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports
What you'll need
Who can apply3
- Applicant has or has had a residence permit for studies or research in Finland.
- Applicant completed a degree in Finland, or finished research or a doctoral degree there.
- Researchers on a national research permit qualify only after completing a degree in Finland.
What you must show1
- At least EUR 800 (≈ $890) per month is at the applicant's disposal, for example EUR 19,200 (≈ $21,400) for 2 years.
Documents1
- A degree certificate or research completion document and proof of funds are submitted.
Steps2
- The application is made within five years of the end of the studies or research permit.
- The first permit is applied for abroad; an extended permit is applied for in Finland.
After you arrive1
- The permit includes an unrestricted right to work, so no new permit is needed when a job is found.
When you become tax resident
How Finland decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 2 years in total
- Tax residence
A person is resident with a main abode and home in Finland, or after a continuous stay of more than six months (exactly six months is not enough); temporary absences do not interrupt the stay.
- Foreign-source income
Progressive state tax plus municipal tax on worldwide income of residents; example effective rate on pay of EUR 30,000 (≈ $33,500) is 8.5% and on EUR 70,000 (≈ $78,200) is 25.0% (Helsinki resident, Lutheran church member).
All tax rules for Finland Tax records checked
Full official text
For graduates or researchers who completed a degree or research in Finland and have no job yet; apply within five years after the previous permit ended. 1 2
What you must show and pay
- Savings of at least EUR 800 a month (≈ $890) · At the applicant's disposal for each month of the permit, for example EUR 19,200 (≈ $21,400) for a 2-year permit; on an extended permit the amount can be secured with work. 1
- A fee of EUR 750 (≈ $840) · Online first permit (paper EUR 800 (≈ $890)); extended EUR 230 (≈ $260) online (paper EUR 430 (≈ $480)). 1
Requirements
- Applicant has or has had a residence permit for studies or research in Finland. 1
- Applicant completed a degree in Finland, or finished research or a doctoral degree there. 1
- Researchers on a national research permit qualify only after completing a degree in Finland. 1
- At least EUR 800 (≈ $890) per month is at the applicant's disposal, for example EUR 19,200 (≈ $21,400) for 2 years. 1
- A degree certificate or research completion document and proof of funds are submitted. 1
- The application is made within five years of the end of the studies or research permit. 1
- The first permit is applied for abroad; an extended permit is applied for in Finland. 1
- The permit includes an unrestricted right to work, so no new permit is needed when a job is found. 1
Stay
- Up to 2 years; can be used in parts of at least 6 months, the last ending within 3 years of the first part starting.
- First stay: up to 24 months, decided case by case.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.
Work
Unrestricted right to work.
Official sources
- Residence permit to look for work or start a business · Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) · checked 2026-10-12
- Income requirement for work-based permits · Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) · checked 2026-10-11
Post-study job search and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Post-study job search | – | 2 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Blue Card | Needs income of €3,937+ a month ≈ $4,400 | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Intra-company transfer | – | 3 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Consultant permit | Needs income of €1,463+ a month ≈ $1,630 | 1 yr, renewable | – |
| Researcher permit | Needs income of €1,463+ a month ≈ $1,630 | 2 yr, renewable | Yes |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Post-study job search?
Savings of at least EUR 800 a month (≈ $890). At the applicant's disposal for each month of the permit, for example EUR 19,200 (≈ $21,400) for a 2-year permit; on an extended permit the amount can be secured with work. A fee of EUR 750 (≈ $840). Online first permit (paper EUR 800 (≈ $890)); extended EUR 230 (≈ $260) online (paper EUR 430 (≈ $480)).
How long can I stay on the Post-study job search?
Up to 2 years; can be used in parts of at least 6 months, the last ending within 3 years of the first part starting.
Can I work on the Post-study job search?
Yes. Unrestricted right to work.
Who can apply for the Post-study job search?
Third-country nationals; EU/EEA citizens do not need the permit. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.
More in Finland
Work visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-12 against 2 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Residence permit to look for work or start a business · Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) · checked 2026-10-12
- Income requirement for work-based permits · Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.