Staying in Finland after graduation

As you continue your stay in Finland after completing your degree, apply for a new suitable residence permit well in time, before the current one expires. The most common options after completing a degree are:

• A residence permit on the basis of a degree completed in Finland if
  • you have a job, pursue a trade or engage in business activities in Finland and
  • you have either studied and completed a degree in Finland or completed your research in Finland.
• a residence permit to look for work or to start a business, if you have or have had a residence permit for studies or for research and
  • you do not yet have a job or
  • you have a job but you do not earn enough to be issued with a residence permit on the basis of work.
• a permanent residence permit on the basis of having completed a degree in Finland if
  • you have completed a master’s degree, a licentiate or doctoral degree or a bachelor’s degree at a university in Finland and
  • the level of your Finnish or Swedish language skills is developing (level A2 or 15 credits in the Finnish or Swedish language at a higher education institution).
     
  • FAQ regarding this application path:
    • Is there a time limit for applying for a permanent residence permit in Finland after graduating from a higher education institution?
      • There is no fixed deadline as such, but you are expected to have stayed living in Finland after graduating.
      • This depends however also on what A permit type you are basing your permanent residence permit application on. If you are basing it on the looking for work residence permit after graduating, your application must be submitted within five years from when the student residence permit was valid.
      • If your looking for work permit has already been granted for the maximum period of time, which is two years, it cannot serve as a valid basis for a permanent residence permit. If your looking for work permit has been granted for less than two years, this permit type can still serve as a basis for a permanent residence permit.
    • Can I take Finnish or Swedish courses from other higher education institutions?
      • Yes.
      • In such case, how do I prove to Migri that I have completed these courses? Should I attach a transcript/certificate of completion to the residence permit application?
        • Migri receives information of completed higher education courses through different registers, but there is no harm attaching a transcript of records to your application.
    • Can Finnish or Swedish courses required for the application be completed after graduation?
      • Yes. Courses can be completed after graduation, provided that the course provider is a Finnish higher education institution. This includes universities, universities of applied sciences, and their open universities.
      • The courses must have been completed by the time you submit your residence permit application.
    • If I have completed a bachelor’s degree at a Finnish university and have a study right for a master’s degree, can I apply for a permanent residence permit based on a residence permit to look for work?
      • Yes.
      • However, Migri's instructions are that the residence permit you apply for should reflect your main pass time. Ie. if you are continuing to a master's degree, you should have a student's residence permit.
    • Do the 15 credits need to be in Finnish or Swedish? Can I mix?
      • The 15 credits must be completed in one language. Mixing Finnish and Swedish credits is not allowed
      • The teaching language can be English.
    • Can I apply for the permanent residence permit if I still haven't received the graduation diploma but my current permit is expiring soon?
      • No.
      • To apply for a permanent residence permit via this pathway, you must meet all the required conditions at the time of application. In this situation, you can apply for an extension to your student residence permit instead. While you wait for your diploma to be issued, you can complete any remaining requirements, such as language courses or a language test.
  • For detailed legal requirements and up-to-date information, please always consult Migri’s official website.
  • Please refer to Migri's page on Frequently asked questions: Permanent residence permits for more information about permanent residence permits.

We invite all our bachelor’s and master’s graduates to explore the continuation of their academic journey at the University of Helsinki through our international master’s programmes and doctoral programmes. You can also apply to a suitable programme at other Finnish universities.   

Additionally, you can upskill yourself after your degree by taking courses at the University of Helsinki’s Open University, the Centre for Continuing Education HY+, or by pursuing non-degree studies at the Faculty of Humanities (offered mostly in Finnish and Swedish). 

You can also register for courses offered by adult education centres which offer the opportunity to learn a new language, skill, or pick up a hobby at a low cost.  

If you choose to transition to a career path after finishing your studies and need support on this journey, the University's Career Services and their Supporting Immigrants in Higher Education in Finland (SIMHE) team offer individual and group career counselling sessions, traineeship guidance, drop-in job support and much more. These services are available to all alumni up to 12 months after graduation. 

Additionally, International House Helsinki offers employment coaching for international professionals by appointment. The City of Helsinki, City of Espoo, and City of Vantaa also provide a host of employment services that can support your professional life.  

You can also consider services provided by Job Market Finland, where it is also possible to register as a job seeker. InfoFinland has collated many useful resources on working in Finland that we invite you to take advantage of.  

If you would like to explore the option of building your own venture, check out the various paths of support for entrepreneurship offered by the University of Helsinki.  

As a prominent hub of innovation, Finland offers many other avenues of entrepreneurial support through the Maria 01 startup campus, the Startup Foundation, the Shortcut, and the business advisory services by the City of Helsinki. 

As you continue your journey in Finland, there are ample opportunities to further strengthen your network here —both professionally and socially. Joining a mentoring programme, using platforms such as LinkedIn and Eventbrite to connect with professionals in your field and attend networking events, or attending city events can be a good start towards expanding your network. Facebook events and groups can also be helpful in finding hobby groups and events as can initiatives by organisations like Luckan, TAT, and Startup Refugees.  

Volunteering is another great way to meet new people and make connections. A list of volunteering opportunities can be found on the websites of the City of Helsinki, City of Espoo, and City of Vantaa. Opportunities specifically for English speakers in Finland are listed on the Citizen Forum website.  

 The City of Helsinki, City of Espoo, and City of Vantaa provide physical and mental health services for residents. These are your go-to places for any health concerns instead of the student health services after your student status expires. 

In addition to these, while the MIITTI initiative arranges free-of-cost workshops, courses, and events to support mental health and wellbeing, organisations such as Mieli (and Mieli Without Borders), and HelsinkiMissio provide mental health support including crisis counselling. 

Besides the discounted UniSport membership as a member of the Helsinki Alumni Community, you can also explore the sports and physical wellbeing services provided by the City of Helsinki, City of Espoo, and City of Vantaa.