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If the reason for your residence in Finland changes

Published08.09.2023
If the reason for your stay changes and you want to stay in Finland, apply for a new residence permit. You need a new residence permit, for example, when you graduate from university and start working in Finland or get married.

If you have a fixed-term residence permit (A or B permit) and the reason for your residence in Finland changes, you must apply for a new residence permit on new grounds. If you have a permanent residence permit (P) in Finland, you do not need to change the grounds for your permit even when the reason for your residence changes.

You can apply for a residence permit on one of the following grounds:

  • work
  • studies
  • family ties
  • entrepreneurship
  • remigration
  • Finnish origin
  • international protection
  • other grounds

You should remember that the grounds for your residence permit may affect the rights you have in Finland. For example, a residence permit granted based on family ties gives a more extensive right to work than a permit granted based on studies.

Sufficient income

Often, in order to be granted a residence permit, a guaranteed livelihood is required. A guaranteed livelihood means that you have sufficient assets for living in Finland.

Link redirects to another websiteFinnish Immigration Service

Sufficient income

How to change a temporary residence permit into a continuous one?

If you have a temporary residence permit (B permit), you can apply for a continuous permit (A permit) if the reason for your stay in Finland changes from temporary to continuous.

If you have been granted a temporary residence permit based on a family tie, you can apply for a continuous residence permit when the family member in question applies for one. You can also apply for a continuous permit on other grounds if they are continuous.

If you have a temporary residence permit based on studies, you can only receive a continuous permit if the basis for your stay in Finland changes. It is not possible to obtain a continuous permit based on studies. The grounds for your stay can change, for example, if you obtain a job in Finland or marry a Finnish citizen or a person with a permanent or continuous residence permit for Finland.

If you have a temporary residence permit for the purpose of working or entrepreneurial activities, you can apply for a continuous residence permit when you have resided in Finland for a continuous period of two years.

Link redirects to another websiteFinnish Immigration Service

Residence permit on new grounds

How do I apply for residence permit on new grounds?

Choose the application form based on the grounds under which you are applying for a new permit. Submit your application online in the Enter Finland service or at a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service. You can find more information about applying on the InfoFinland page Residence permit extension.

From a student to an employee

If you have completed a degree in Finland, you can receive a residence permit for job application. Once you complete your studies and your student residence permit ends, you can apply for a permit extension (jatkolupa) for job application. The permit is valid for 12 months. The permit can only be granted once and cannot be renewed. Once you find a job, you can apply for a residence permit based on employment.

Link redirects to another websiteFinnish Immigration Service

Residence permit for job application

Can I lose my residence permit?

Bear in mind that, if your situation in life changes, that may also affect your residence permit. A fixed-term residence permit can be revoked if the grounds on which it was granted no longer exist. Read more on the InfoFinland page: Can I lose my residence permit?