Difficult to get a Residence Permit *while* in Finland?

[KristinaF]

I'm an American looking for work in Finland (preferably an English teaching/daycare position).

Every website I've read explains that in order to receive a residence permit, I would need to acquire a job while in the U.S., and then apply for the permit prior to arriving in Finland.
It's sort of a catch-22. Though you're qualified, employers want to interview you in person, but you can't be there to do that (unless you have a lot of money to fly back and forth!)!
http://www.migri.fi/netcomm/content.asp ... ,2500,2507

My question is: how difficult it is to apply for and receive your residence permit while in Finland? Although I don't have a teaching certificate, I have 8 years teaching experience. I'm worried that wouldn't be a good enough reason for for me to be hired when the application is reviewed by the local police or employment and economic development office in the area.

I have living arrangements in Turku, and would be willing to travel for the job. Does anyone have any ideas? Are demands for native English-speakers high enough that they'd overlook certain details and approve the permit?

I've been keeping my eyes open and have applied to various daycares/schools (without success due to distance), but any information anyone might have would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks very much!

[jessesuomi]

It would be easier to get a job in a summer type restaurant to just get your "foot in the door". I know quite a few foreigners that work as English teachers, but they have university degrees in the field and most have only part time work. Which means that even for them, if they didnt have a spouse here, would not fulfill the requirements for the permit. If you were to come here to try and get a job before you had a permit to work, well realistically, it may not increase your chances anyhow as there are very many people looking for that same work. Most with degrees and experience.
Myself as example, I had teaching experience teaching technical skills in the emergency services area, in English, with a degree recognized by my home state (Oregon), however, anytime I have thought about teaching here to get out of my real profession, the employer wants a degree. Hell, it seems even cleaners have degrees in something here.

[rinso]

No matter where you apply from, you need a job first.
Teaching jobs without the proper qualifications are few and far apart (if any)
And teaching jobs for native English speakers are only free lance. (plenty of topics about that)

There are many topics about similar situations, so search this forum for more information.

[Upphew]

I'm an American looking for work in Finland

+

It would be easier to get a job in a summer type restaurant to just get your "foot in the door".

=
No RP. Unless the future employer manages to show that he can't find proper talent within EU.

[jessesuomi]

I'm an American looking for work in Finland

+

It would be easier to get a job in a summer type restaurant to just get your "foot in the door".

=
No RP. Unless the future employer manages to show that he can't find proper talent within EU.

Its not that hard as there are not so many wanting to work in the restaurant business and they are a bit more open to foreigners. At least that was the case for me. Was only supposed to be working for 3 months but they asked me to stay for over 5 years. Its more realistic than looking for freelance work while abroad.

[Hämeen Hitain]

^Are you EU/EEA/Swiss, or did you alredy hava a RP?

[Upphew]

Its not that hard as there are not so many wanting to work in the restaurant business and they are a bit more open to foreigners. At least that was the case for me. Was only supposed to be working for 3 months but they asked me to stay for over 5 years. Its more realistic than looking for freelance work while abroad.

Okay, I have no experience, I just parrot what authorities say.

"Foreign employees who are non-EU citizens and equivalent persons need a residence permit for an employed person if they intend to work in Finland. An alien who has entered the country either with a visa or visa-free is not allowed to engage in remunerated employment in Finland but, rather, has to apply for a residence permit."
"In granting the permit, the needs of the labour market are taken into consideration. The aim of the residence permit praxis is to support the possibility of those who are on the employment market to gain employment. Thus, the availability of work force is also supported."
http://www.migri.fi/netcomm/content.asp ... ,2707,2500

[rinso]

It would be easier to get a job in a summer type restaurant

Its not that hard as there are not so many wanting to work in the restaurant business

Although the second statement is true (unfavourable working hours), in combination with the first statement it is not.
Since it becomes increasingly difficult to find a summer job, students will accept everything nowadays.

(my children have the health certificate, experience in the business and speak fluent Finnish, but still there are many with similar or better qualifications)

[jessesuomi]

Alright, I dont know why everyone always uses blanket statements when it comes to theses kinds of matters.
I am not EU,EE, Swiss or any of that. I needed to find a job before a residence permit was granted. Having some experience in the restaurant business I searched and sent cvs and then one place offered me work and then went to the ministry of labor and made then needed applications and the rest is just the rest.

As far as the blanket statements goes, I think people need to look at the bigger picture. In say, Helsinki, Tampere, Espoo and the bigger more heavily populated areas, yeah, there are many willing and able people there to work. Students as well. Yes of course. But if an employer needs someone full time for say 4 or 5 months, that counts out students usually as they have school obligations to tend to after summer. Then you need to look at well, places like I was the first years, in the somewhat remote areas that are NOT populated by a large number of either young people or perhaps even students looking for work experience. In that regard, the labor pool to fill the vacancy in maybe somewhat lower compared to say around the large metro areas. Look at how many foreign workers are working in Lapland.... as kitchen porters, cooks and such. As more and more people head off to the city and register as living there, it creates a job vacancy in that area. Yeah, maybe as a whole there are more people looking for work than there are jobs. However, if you break it down, there are parts of the country that need workers in a bad way. Maybe just not the big city.
When I needed some workers for a project I had going in Raasepori, I asked from the employment office how the system works in regards to comparing employer needs to the available worker pool and it was said that the govt looks somewhat at a local level to determine the situation. So even though there are trains, buses and such that within an hour you could be in Helsinki from Raasepori, it was not considered part of the same labor pool area. They wont force out of work people to move there from Helsinki just to fill the vacancies. So if there was a foreign person available that fit the skill set, they had a fair chance at it. And if there was an out of work shoe sales person, they wouldnt be recommended for the cooking job as it was not their "field of expertise".

Also I dont think so many of these students that are desperate for work are willing to leave family and friends for 4 or so months at a time to be out in the middle of nowhere, working on midsummer unless they absolutely have to.

SO, it may not be in the cultural center of Finland, but there are plenty of jobs available for 3-5 months at a time, in a bit more remote areas. But maybe thats where you can see and experience a bit more of the real Finland and not the hustle and bustle of the city.

[Upphew]

Alright, I dont know why everyone always uses blanket statements when it comes to theses kinds of matters.

I don't know about everyone else, but I use them because I don't know better

Good post btw. You can come and correct me in the future too, as I reply with migri and mol links.

[rinso]

SO, it may not be in the cultural center of Finland, but there are plenty of jobs available for 3-5 months at a time, in a bit more remote areas. But maybe thats where you can see and experience a bit more of the real Finland and not the hustle and bustle of the city.

Your knowledge intrigues me. So I did a quick search on Mol.fi.
For the area I live in (15.000 people) I found 11 jobs.
1 teacher, 6 nurses, 3 welders and 1 administrator. 6 of them were jobs with one of the "kunta's".
Mol of course is not everything, but it is a good indication.

Students as well. Yes of course. But if an employer needs someone full time for say 4 or 5 months, that counts out students usually as they have school obligations to tend to after summer.

From time to time I get requests if I can place a culinary student (final year) for 3 or 4 months (without payment!). If I needed someone for 3 - 6 months I could easily find a skilled student.

The options you mention might not be impossible, but I doubt if the generalization you make is valid.

[Pursuivant]

One thing you must take in consideration is, that for teaching, the lower ages you teach actually the more qualifications you need. So yes, a kindergarten might employ you - but how will they convince there isnt any qualified english speakers about? Thats the challenge.

[daniel.footman]

Its not as easy as it seems. From getting a job and then getting a work permit(non-eu).

1. Find a job.
2. Get a offer letter from the employer.

Tricky part :
3. Your Employer should file an advanced labour evaluation and fill up TEM 054 form - submit it to the Labour office. Labour office evaluates your skills, education against finnish or eu nationals in finland who are registered at the unemployment office. If they dont find anyone suitable then you get the job and work permit otherwise you are refused a work permit.

If you are 'really serious' about working in Finland, apply for jobs in Finland from the US. If you get called up for the interview, take a chance to visit Finland for a week and get interviewed. Plan it more as a holiday. Move back to US and continue working with your current employer - wait and see if you get called up to Finland. Also note work permits take atleast 4-6 months to process.

In the end you dont lose out - You either get a good Nordic Holiday or job.

Good luck