moving to Finland from Canada

[ailuj]

I would like to come to Finland to live for a year or so and get a job. I think the possibilities of doing this legally are slim but would love any information on permit, visa, or sponsor possibilities. I have just graduated from university with a degree in fashion design and technology, and participated in a 6 month exchange to Helsinki last year. I have been taking Finnish language lessons since then. What are the possibilities of staying in Finland longer than 3 months, and being able to work?

Thank you for any replies!

[Hank W.]

Well, I'd been offering these exchange programmes, but as I see you already gotten done with one, it you to use your connections => find a job => get work permit..

[ailuj]

Okay, so if I find a job, I can get a residence permit for a certain amount of time. Is there a time limit I can work at that job or can I renew the permit? Do you know how long the apllication process would take?

I really appreciate your response!

[zam]

You can also try to come here through a trainee exchange programme (they are available to recent graduates up to two years after graduation).

See e.g.:
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canada-eur ... _ca-en.asp
http://www.aucc.ca/programs/intprograms ... dex_e.html
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/canada-eur ... _ca-en.asp

If you are employed directly by a Finnish company or organization, there's no time limit for the duration of work (at least nothing set by the residence permit, if the work contract is e.g. for two years, the residence permit issued for the duration of the work). The residence permit processing time can be anything from a couple of weeks to several months depending on your situation (the worker's residence permit has to go through the local employment office and Directorate of Immigration in Finland).

[ailuj]

Is it possible to fill out a residence permit while I'm in Finland? Let's say upon arrival in Finland I find a job with a company willing to sponsor my residence permit. Can i then go through the process there, or do i have to be in Canada? Do you know if the process would be faster if I did it while in Finland?

Thank you for your responses!!!

[Hank W.]

There is somewhere in the law a pasage to the effect that they might approve it if lodged in Finland, but to find a valid excuse they always will have a more valid counter-excuse why not to approve it. I have a hunch the process is faster from abroad as for example Helsinki is notoroiusly slow for anything.