Masters degree!

[everestbear]

Is there any provision where international students of masters degree get a year or so of grace period to stay in the country after successful completion of the course so that they can look for jobs in labour market or they are sent home with a certificate? I think in some countries, masters students do get one year employment look-out period after their study. What is the Finnish policy on that?

[Hank W.]

I think it is... yep, 6 months for jobseeking. And then you don't need to go "back home to apply" once you find work.

[lovely_np]

I also think students get 6 months job search period but serious doubts whether the student has to return to home country for applying work permit...... Can anyone help on this??????????

[zam]

There's no need to return to the home country to apply for a new residence permit if you are already legally in Finland. I.e. once you've found a job you submit a worker's residence permit application to the local police here in Finland. Then again, your residence permit for studies will most likely expire upon graduation and you'll have to renew the permit for the 6 months job seeking period. It should be granted "if other grounds for granting it are met", i.e. you can prove that you have sufficient means to support your stay in Finland for 6 months (money) and health insurance, I suppose. See http://www.migri.fi/netcomm/content.asp ... anguage=EN for further info.