Finland is the eighth richest country in Europe because of the extensive number of work opportunities. Moreover, a large ratio of applicants wants to work in Finland as the country offers extra benefits other than the basic salary.
However, citizens of third-world countries such as Pakistanis need to apply for a work visa to work in Finland freely.
Therefore, the blog below will help you identify all the requirements that must be fulfilled when applying for a Finland work visa from Pakistan.
Is It Suitable to Work in Finland?
Yes, Finland has an excellent job market that makes it a suitable country to work in. The following are some of the common reasons noted in this regard.
- The work-life balance
- Health care and social security system
- English is a widely spoken language in Finland. This eliminates the language barrier.
- High standard of living
- Innovative and multiple industries and a strong economy
- Low rate of corruption in comparison to other countries
Work Visa Vs. Work Permit
Usually, the terms work visa and work permit are used interchangeably. However, they are utilized for different purposes.
| Work visa | Work permit |
| The embassy or consulate of the destination country issues this visa. | A work permit is issued by the labor or immigration authority of the host country. |
| A work visa only allows you to enter the country for work purposes. | In addition, with a work permit, you can easily live and work in the target country. |
| Moreover, non-citizens of the target country are required to get a work visa to legally work in the state. | Both the nationals and the non-citizens of the destination country are required to have this permit. |
| A work visa is usually valid for a specific time, i.e., one to three years. | Depending on the work contract, a work permit is valid for up to one to five years. Besides, you can also extend it. |
| Furthermore, with a work visa, you may face restrictions on the type of employer, work, or location. | Lastly, a work permit restricts you from working for a specific organization, job role, or employer. |
Do Pakistanis Need a Visa to Work in Finland?
Yes. Pakistanis need a visa to work in Finland. A work visa differs from other visa categories in terms of its purpose and stay duration. You can use it for long-term purposes and stay in Finland for a longer duration of time than the standard three-month limit.
Furthermore, the nationals of the following countries do not need a visa to work in Finland.
- The EEA, EU, and the Schengen Area
- The USA, Australia, the Republic of Andorra, New Zealand, San Marino, Japan, and the Vatican
- Citizens of the Nordic countries
In addition, Finland has a visa-free entry agreement with other countries. Those who are not required to have a work visa can work in Finland for only up to 90 days. After that, they must register themselves as working residents in Finland.
Other Types of Work Visas for Finland
The work visa is further divided into various types depending on the duration of your stay in Finland and the type of work you are qualified for.
Job-seekers visa
If you completed your education in Finland, you can apply for a job-seeker visa. This allows you to stay in the country for one year. After securing a job, you can get a Type A or B work permit.
EU Blue Card visa
Highly qualified individuals can apply for an EU Blue Card visa. Moreover, your monthly salary should be around 4,930 euros. With this visa, you can stay for up to 2 years in Finland and not in other Schengen countries.
Entrepreneur visa
Freelancers or self-employed individuals can apply for an entrepreneur visa. To get this work permit, the ELY Center (Center for Economic Development, Transport, and the Environment will assess if your business is up to the mark.
Start-up entrepreneur visa
Moreover, if you have a start-up business, only then you can apply for this visa. For this purpose, make sure you have a positive Eligibility Statement from Business Finland.
Specialist visa
A highly skilled worker who can work in any field in Finland can apply for a specialist visa. To be eligible for this work permit type, you must earn up to 3,000 per month.
Religious work visa
A religious work visa allows you to work for a religious association. For this purpose, you must have a valid contract and your employer should be registered in Finland.
Au Pair visa
Furthermore, an Au Pair visa allows young individuals between the ages of 17 and 30 to learn the Finnish language and culture by working with a host family in Finland.
Seasonal work visa
Lastly, a seasonal work visa allows you to do seasonal jobs and is valid for only three months.
Requirements for Eligibility to Work in Finland
To show that you are qualified to apply for a Finland work visa from Pakistan, make sure that you fulfill the following criteria.
- You must have a relevant degree from a reputable university (not required in seasonal work visa)
- Moreover, you must have a valid job offer letter.
- There should be no criminal charges against you.
- Furthermore, you must be observant of all the Finnish laws.
- In addition, you are not subjected to any travel bans in the Schengen Region.
- You must be a highly skilled employee if applying for a specialist visa.
- In the case of welfare and healthcare, you should be authorized to practice the specific profession.
- Besides, you must have enough financial support for a start-up visa.
- An EU Blue Card visa requires you to have a higher salary package than average. Moreover, you should be competent enough to complete the required tasks.
- Lastly, an entrepreneur visa requires you to be self-employed in the form of a private businessman, general or limited partnership, liability company, etc.
Legal Documents Needed for a Finland Work Visa from Pakistan
The following supporting documents should be submitted when applying for a Finland work visa from Pakistan.
Passport
Submit your Pakistani passport with a validity of at least six months ahead of your stay in Finland. Moreover, it should contain two blank pages.
Work visa application form
Make sure to complete a work visa application form. You can download it online or get it from the embassy.
Pictures
Furthermore, submit two recent passport-size pictures fulfilling the following guidelines.
- The size of the photo should be 35*45mm.
- White or light gray should be the background color.
- The picture should be of high quality free from any spots.
Work contract
After securing a job, your Finnish employer will issue you a work contract. Make sure to sign it to show that it is legal.
Academic documents
Documents showing your academic tenure such as transcripts, degrees, certificates, etc., should also be submitted.
Proof of accommodation
In addition, proof of accommodation such as a hotel reservation, a rental contract, or an invitation letter should also be submitted to disclose that you have a place to stay in Finland.
Flight reservation
Submitting proof of flight reservation for visa processing helps the embassy analyze your intention of flying to the target country. Moreover, the document shows information such as your first and last name, flight number, airline company name, IATA codes, airport terminals, luggage weight, etc.
Read this step-by-step blog to learn how to reserve a flight to travel to Finland.
Travel health insurance
Purchasing a travel health insurance policy ensures that you can bear unexpected medical and travel expenses in a foreign land.
Financial documents
Moreover, financial documents such as bank statements or salary slips will help you demonstrate that you can support yourself financially in Finland.
Police clearance certificate
Pakistani citizens are required to submit a police clearance certificate to show that they are not involved in any criminal activities.
How to Apply for a Finland Work Visa from Pakistan?
The list of the following steps will assist you in applying for a Finland work visa from Pakistan.
Search for a job
The first step requires you to find a job in Finland before applying for a work visa. This is because having a work contract is mandatory to submit with the rest of the visa documents.
Without a work contract, you will not be able to receive a positive answer related to your visa application.
Get a work permit
After securing a job in Finland, you can apply for a work permit. If you want to do it on your own, you can either submit your application online or through the embassy. Moreover, it is easy to apply for a work permit through e-services.
Alternatively, your potential Finnish employer can also apply for a work permit in Finland on your behalf.
Visit a local mission of Finland
Thirdly, visit the local mission of Finland such as the Embassy of Finland in Islamabad, Pakistan. This requires you to submit your original documents such as passport, travel insurance, civil documents, etc. Moreover, the authorities may ask you to submit your fingerprints.
Other than that, you also need to pay the application fee for the work visa when submitting the documents.
Important: The required documents should be translated into Finnish, English, or Swedish language. Moreover, they should be legalized if necessary.
Wait for the reply
There are two ways through which your application will be processed. At first, the Employment and Economic Development Office will make a partial decision. After that, the Immigration Service of Finland will finalize your application process.
Once the processing time is completed, the relevant authorities will notify you. For this purpose, make sure to regularly check your email or SMS.
Moreover, the authorities in Finland will send your residence permit to the embassy in your home country. Once delivered, you can collect it on the given date and day.
Travel to Finland
Once you get your residence permit, the Finnish Population Information System will record your personal information. When you land in Finland, you can start working as soon as possible.
Finnish Work Visa Cost
The cost of a Finnish work visa depends on the method of application. For example, if you submit your application through electronic services, you are supposed to pay 490 euros. This is equivalent to 143,295 PKR.
Contrary to this, if you apply for a work visa on paper, it is a bit more expensive than the former one, i.e., 690 euros or 201,783 PKR.
However, make sure to contact the relevant authorities to check the application methods available for Pakistanis.
FAQs
- How long does a Finland work visa stay valid?
Usually, the Finnish authorities issue a work visa valid for almost one year. However, its duration depends on the visa type you have applied for.
For instance, if you have a temporary work permit, also known as a Type B permit, it stays valid for only one year. On the other hand, you can stay in the country using a Type A or continuous work permit as long as you have work in Finland.
- Can I apply for an extension for a work permit?
Yes. Depending on the work visa/permit type, you can either apply for an extension every single year or four years. For example, a Type B permit should be extended every year. On the other hand, you can extend a Type A permit after every four years.
Moreover, make sure to start the extension process at least three months before your current permit expires.
- Is it possible to switch employers with a Finland work visa?
Switching employers depends on the work permit type. If you have applied for a work permit considering a specific employer, then you cannot switch employers. Therefore, this requires you to apply for a new work permit to change your potential boss.
Besides, in case your work permit allows you to switch your job, you can do so. Moreover, always choose the ‘several employers’ option while completing your application if you want to work with multiple employers in Finland.
- Can I take my family to Finland on a work visa?
Yes, you can take your family to Finland if you have a valid work visa. For this purpose, your family members are required to apply for a residence permit.
- When can I get a permanent residence?
With a continuous or Type A permit, you need to spend at least five years in Finland. After that, you can apply for a permanent residence permit that is valid for an indefinite period unless the authorities find reasons to revoke it.
- When will I be eligible to get Finnish citizenship?
After a continuous stay of 5 years in Finland, you will be able to apply for Finnish citizenship. For this purpose, you must be a holder of the continuous permit.
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