Finland - Researcher

If you wish to carry out research in Finland, you will need a residence permit. You are a researcher if you meet the following conditions:

• You hold a doctoral degree or at least a master’s (second-cycle) degree which gives you access to doctoral programmes.
• You have been selected by a research organisation. (EU) 2016/801.

Where and how to apply (including information on fees)

Submit your application in the e-service Enter Finland. After you have submitted your application, you have to visit the Finnish diplomatic mission or consulate in your country of origin/residence to prove your identity and have your fingerprints taken. A paper application is submitted to the Finnish diplomatic mission or consulate in your country of origin/residence.

Processing fee (EUR): online 410, paper application 610.

Documents required

General documents:

· Valid passport (you must present it when you submit the residence permit application)

· Passport photo complying with the photo guidelines issued by the police or a photograph retrieval code you received from a photo shop

· Color copies of the passport page containing personal data and of all passport pages that contain notes

· Document showing that you are legally staying in the country where you submit the application

· Form MP_1 (if you already are in Finland and apply for your first residence permit)

Application-specific documents:

· The agreement signed by the researcher and the research organisation, containing the following information:

- the title and purpose of the research activity or the research area;

- an undertaking by the researcher and the research organisation to endeavour to complete the research activity;

- the start and end date or the estimated duration of the research activity;

- information on the legal relationship between the research organisation and the researcher;

- information on the working conditions of the researcher, if the legal relationship between the research organisation and the researcher is an employment relationship;

- information on the intended mobility from Finland to another EU Member State, if the mobility is known at the time when the application is submitted;

· Certificate of a doctoral degree or a second-cycle degree

· Clarification of income, if the legal relationship between the research organisation and the researcher is not an employment relationship.

Further requirements

If the duration of your stay exceeds one year, you should register on arrival at the Local Register Office in the municipality where you will reside.

Duration of validity of permits

A continuous permit (permit A) is issued for two years or for the period of the contract if it is for a shorter period.

Conditions for renewal

Apply for an extended permit before your residence permit expires. If you still meet the same requirements you met when your previous residence permit was granted to you, the Finnish Immigration Service will grant you an extended permit. Alternatively, you can apply for an extended permit on new grounds. Remember that you need to meet the requirements for the residence permit you apply for.

Appeals

It is possible to appeal negative decisions made by the Finnish Immigration Service before an Administrative Court 30 days following the notification. The appeal procedures are indicated in the decision.

A rejection from the Administrative Court can be appealed as a last resort to the Supreme Administrative Court. You will need to apply for leave to appeal.

Employment during research

Stay and employment after research

After you complete your research work, you may be able to apply for a new residence permit on the bases of work immediately after you have found a job. If you are not yet employed, you may apply for a residence permit for seeking work.

Change of status

If the grounds for your residence change and you meet the necessary conditions, you should apply for a new residence permit (for example employment or family ties).

Family members

You may apply to reunite in Finland with your spouse (and same sex registered partner) and your unmarried minor children.

Partners who have been living continuously in a marriage-like relationship within the same household for at least two years also benefit from family reunification. The two year period is not required if the relationship has resulted in any children.

The residence permit granted to your family member is valid for the same duration as your residence permit. It grants full access to employment and education.

Long-term residence

After four years of continuous residence (permit A), you can apply for a permanent residence permit P if you still meet the requirements for a continuous residence permit. You must have spent at least half of the validity period of your permit in Finland and your permit must still be valid at the time you submit your application.

After five years of continuous and legal residence, you may obtain a long-term resident EC residence permit.

If you have a permit/visa for research in an EU country, you may conduct research and teach in Finland if you fulfil certain requirements. If the duration of your stay in Finland is shorter than 180 days in a 360-day period, you are subject to short-term mobility rules. If the duration of your stay in Finland is longer than 180 days, you are subject to the rules governing long-term mobility.

Finnish Immigration Service: Residence permit on the basis of research

Finnish Immigration Service: Appeals