Finland EU Blue Card residence permit for highly qualified workers, requirements

Finland EU Blue Card residence permit for highly qualified workers, requirements 

Finland is known for the life quality it provides to its citizens and the high scores in almost every category. The Nordic country is one of the most developed and advanced countries in the world. Over the years, Finland has created great work conditions and work opportunities for skilled individuals who want to move to Finland to live and work there.

Facing a shortage of skilled employees in many professions and sectors has forced Finland to open its door to many non-EU nationals. Highly qualified and skilled individuals can apply to become workers in Finland through a Blue Card. 

What Is the Finnish EU Blue Card?

The Finnish EU Blue Card is not a type of visa, but a residence permit that is granted to highly skilled foreign workers with the right qualifications and experience.

With a Blue Card, you can stay in Finland and work (until the validity period expires) in professions where there is an employee shortage. The EU Blue Card is issued to non-EU workers when an EU national is not available for the position the EU Blue Card is being issued.

*An EU Blue Card issued by Finland allows you to work in Finland only.

What Are the Requirements for an EU Blue Card for Finland?

Before submitting your application for an EU Blue Card make sure you meet the following requirements:

• You must have a signed employment contract or a job offer from an employer in Finland for a duration of one year.
• The task you will perform requires special professional qualifications or expertise.
• Your gross income must be more than the average salary set by Finland.
• You must have a higher education degree recognized in Finland.
• You do not pose a danger to the public health, public order, and security of Finland.
• You do not pose a danger to Finland’s international relations.
• You have not been prohibited from entering Finland.

How Much Should I Earn for a Blue Card in Finland?

The annual or monthly salary stated in your employment contract or binding job offer must be equal to or higher than the minimum salary threshold set by Finland. The minimum salary threshold changes every year, for example. In 2019, Finland set the minimum salary threshold at €56,774.

For 2022, your gross income must be at least €5,069 per month or approximately €60,828 per year.

What Are the Professions in Demand That I Can Work With a Finnish Blue Card?

Here are some professions with employee shortages in Finland that you can work with a Blue Card:

• Data scientist.
• Data analyst.
• Nursing associate professional.
• Health care assistant.
• Social work and counseling professional.
• Generalist medical practitioner.
• Specialist medical practitioner.
• Engineer (Blockchain, Cyber Security, DevOps).
• Early childhood educator.
• Audiologist and speech therapist.
• Dentist.
• Psychologist.
• Special needs teacher.
• Home-based personal care worker.
• Project manager.
• Product manager.
• Nursing professional.
• Welder and flame cutter.
• Contact center salesperson.
• Other.

Can I Bring My Family to Finland With Me on a Blue Card?

The EU Blue Card allows you to take your family members with you to Finland. Your spouse and children under the age of 18 can accompany you to Finland and be entitled to the same rights as you. They can also accompany you to other EU countries besides Finland if the country grants them a residence permit.

What Is the Duration of an EU Blue Card for Finland?

A Blue Card is issued for a duration of two years, but the validity period can change depending on the validity of the employment contract. For example, if your employment contract lasts less than two years, you will be granted an EU Blue Card for the duration of your employment contract and another three additional months.

How to Apply for an EU Blue Card in Finland?

The application process for an EU Blue Card may vary depending on whether you apply from your home country or from Finland if you already have a Blue Card from another EU country.

The application procedure for obtaining an EU Blue Card from abroad includes the following steps:

1. Check to see if you meet the requirements for obtaining a Blue Card.
2. Visit the nearest Finnish diplomatic mission (Embassy or Consulate) in your country of origin or residence to set up an appointment.
3. Gather all the required documents (see below).
4. Fill in your application for an EU Blue Card.
5. Pay the application fee online.
6. Wait for a decision.

The application procedure for obtaining an EU Blue Card from Finland is as follows:

1. Make sure the requirements for a Finnish Blue Card are met.
2. Book an appointment at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.
3. Gather the required documents.
4. Fill out the EU Blue Card application form.
5. Wait for the Finnish Immigration Services to reach a decision on your application (approved/rejected).

*Wait to receive the EU Blue Card in the same country or locality you submitted your application and prove your identity.

What Documents Do I Need for an EU Blue Card in Finland?

To support your application for an EU Blue Card in Finland, you must submit the following documents:

• EU Blue Card Application Form fully completed with the required information and data and signed.

• • Passport with at least 6 months of validity. Present a valid passport issued within the last ten years when submitting your application for a Blue Card.
  • Passport-size photograph. Submit a photograph taken within the last six months in passport format (47mm x 36mm), following the photo guidelines issued by the police or a photograph retrieval code you received from Photoshop. The photograph must be glued not stapled to the application form.
  • Copies of the passport pages. Enclosed are color copies of passport pages that contain personal data and all passport pages with notes.
  • Proof of education. Documents proving that you have completed a (module-based) degree program in an educational institution recognized by Finland and the degree involved a minimum of three years of study. Proof of education includes:
    • University diploma.
    • Certificate.
    • Document issued by a competent authority.

• Document showing that you are legally staying in Finland.

• Application Form MP 1. Only if you are in Finland when applying for an EU Blue Card.

Is There a Quicker Way to Get a Blue Card for Finland?

Yes, if you want to get a residence permit for a shorter period of time, e.g. two weeks, you can apply via the fast-track service, however, this only applies to first-time applicants. To apply via the fast-track service, you need to visit the Finnish Immigration Service website. You will find all the instructions on how to proceed with the application procedure on the official website. The fast-track service is not available if you are in Finland already.

What Is the Cost of an EU Blue Card for Finland?

The fees for a Finnish EU Blue Card are presented in the table below:

EU Blue Card paper application	€480
Extension of the EU Blue Card (paper application)	€430
EU Blue Card online application	€380
Extension of the EU Blue Card (online application)	€160
Renewal of EU Blue Card	€190
Replacement of EU Blue Card	€100

Where to Pay the Finland EU Blue Card Fee?

You can pay the EU Blue Card fee for Finland at one of the following options:

• “Enter Finland” – online service.
• At a Finnish embassy or consulate.
• At a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service.

What Is the Processing Time for an EU Blue Card for Finland?

The expected processing time for both electronic and paper EU Blue Card applications is around 4 weeks. However, the Finnish authorities may take up to 90 days to reach a decision on your application (approved/rejected) if you have not completed your application sufficiently.

How Will I Know if My EU Blue Card Application Has Been Approved?

If you have applied for an EU Blue Card through the e-service, you will receive an email or a text message once the decision has been made. The decision will be visible in your account too.

If you have applied on paper, you will receive a letter or an invitation to the Finnish missions to hear the decision.

What Are the Benefits of the EU Blue Card for Finland?

Working in Finland with a Blue Card entitles you to many benefits, such as:

• You will be treated equally to the Finnish nationals.
• You will have free access to the Finnish territory and the EU.
• Working hours.
  • Maximum working hours: According to Finnish Labour Law, the maximum normal working time is 8 hours a day and 40 hours per week.
  • Overtime work: Overtime is allowed up to 138 hours within a period of four months, and up to 250 hours during a calendar year. You will be compensated with paid free time or monetary.
• Paid leaves.
  • Two rest days a week, (Saturday and Sunday).
  • 11 public holidays.
  • Four weeks of summer holiday and one week of winter holiday.
  • Maternity leave begins 30 weeks before the date of childbirth and lasts 105 weekdays.
  • Paternity leave for 6 to 12 days.
  • Sick leave after one month of employment.
• Healthcare. You will be insured in case of hospitalization or critical illness.
• You can bring your family to live with you.
• You and your family will have access to free education.
• You and your family will have access to public goods and services.

Can I Use My Finnish EU Blue Card to Work in Another EU Country?

If Finland issued your EU Blue Card, you can move to another member state of the EU, but you cannot use the same Blue Card to work in that country. Instead, you need to apply for a new EU Blue Card in the country you want to work.

If that country does not grant you a Blue Card, you can return to Finland for another three months. Your family members can move to another country and return to Finland together with you.

*You cannot seek employment in another EU country without spending 18 months in Finland on an EU Blue Card.

Which Countries Can I Travel to With a Finnish Blue Card?

An EU Blue Card entitles you to free movement within the EU member states, as many times as you want. However, your travel must not be for employment purposes.

Can My Finnish EU Blue Card Be Refused?

Finnish authorities can refuse a Blue Card in case you do not meet the requirements for receiving a Finnish Blue Card, you have provided false documents, or have acquired the submitted documents fraudulently.

In case of a refusal, you will be notified by the Finnish Immigration Services, in accordance with the Finnish National Law.

What Happens if I Lose My Job While Working as a Blue Card Worker in Finland?

If you lose your job while working in Finland on a Blue Card, you can spend three additional months in the country looking for another job. In case the job-seeking period lasts longer than three months, you need to depart the country.