Log in to the Enter Finland online service using the most recent version of one of the following web browsers: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Opera, or Safari.

Technical problem with changing email addresses connected to user accounts. For information and instructions related to possible service disruptions, see the following page: Technical difficulties and interruptions in Enter Finland (migri.fi).

If you are applying for an extended permit or citizenship or renewing your residence permit card or residence card, it is possible that you do not need to visit a service point to prove your identity. For more information about when visiting a service point is not necessary, see the page Identification (migri.fi).

First residence permits

Residence permit on the basis of work

Startup Eligibility Statement

Residence permit for a startup entrepreneur

You can apply for the start-up entrepreneur residence permit if you are a start-up entrepreneur who wants to open a start-up company in Finland, and your business plan and team fulfill the criteria for start-up entrepreneurship.

You cannot get a residence permit only because you own a company. Granting a residence permit requires that you work in the startup company and the work must be done in Finland. You must also have sufficient financial resources for living in Finland.

At the bottom of this page, you can choose to apply either for an Eligibility Statement from Business Finland or for a residence permit for a start-up entrepreneur, if you already have a positive Eligibility Statement.

Get ready

Make sure you have all the necessary attachments and information before you begin. If necessary, have the attachments translated and legalized. The processing of your application may take longer if any attachments are missing from your application.

See the list of necessary of attachments for the Eligibility Statement and for the residence permit.

Apply for the Eligibility Statement

In order to apply for the Eligibility Statement, you need to answer a set of questions about your business idea, plans and the team. Applying for an Eligibility Statement is free of charge. One member of the team applies for the Eligibility Statement on behalf of the whole team. The application is on the next page.

Complete the residence permit application and select your service point

Each team member has to apply for the residence permit individually. Fill in the residence permit application form and add the necessary attachments. Attach to your application the Eligibility Statement that cannot be more than four months old when you submit the application. In addition, you will need to prove that you have sufficient financial resources for living in Finland.

Select your service point.

If you are abroad, you must prove your identity at a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate).
- Contact a Finnish mission.
- If you want to fast-track the processing of your application, check the requirements for that.
If you are in Finland, you must prove your identity at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.
- Book an appointment beforehand by using the appointment system of the Finnish Immigration Service.

Finnish missions and the service points of the Finnish Immigration Service may be busy. Therefore, you should book an appointment as soon as possible after submitting your application. For more information, see the pages Book an appointment at a service point in advance and Handling you matters at a Finnish mission.

Book an appointment to visit a service point

The processing of an application is subject to a fee. We recommend paying the processing fee with the most common credit cards or with Finnish online banking credentials before submitting the application. Your application can be fast-tracked only if you pay the processing fee before submitting the application. If you are not able to pay the processing fee online, you must pay it when you visit a Finnish mission or a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service to prove your identity. In this case, make sure to check the currency, amount and payment methods before your visit.

Visit the selected authority to identify yourself

After submitting your application, visit a Finnish mission (embassy or consulate) or a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service

to prove your identity
to present the originals of the documents that you attached to your application, and
to have your fingerprints taken.

Remember to bring your passport photo with you. Passport photo guidelines can be found on the website of the Finnish Police.

Follow the processing of your application

You can follow the status of your application on your Enter Finland account, ask chatbot Kamu to find out where your application stands in the processing queue, or use the Processing Time Checker.

If any additional information is needed for your application, you will receive a request for it in Enter Finland. When a decision has been made, you will receive a notification that you can read the decision in Enter Finland.

Select correct application

Fast-track processing is not available for this application. Your application will be processed within the usual timetable. You can ask chatbot Kamu about the expected processing time of the application. Kamu can be found in the bottom right corner of our website.

Create a new application

Create a user account

To create a new application you need to create a user account first.

You have already created a user account and want to create a new application or check the progress of pending applications.