Permit based on the grounds of a Degree from Finland

[stewy]

Hi everyone,

A non-EU citizen, I moved to Finland in March 2007 and was granted an A permit in the April based on family ties. I continued to live in Finland for a total of 5yrs on an A permit (1yr, 1yr and 3yr permits) until April 2012. I then tried to apply for permanent residence, but because the original grounds for my permit (family ties) were no longer valid and I had no other 'reasons' to stay, my application was denied. This happened despite the fact I had lived in Finland for 5yrs, had worked and studied there, had friends, an apartment, pet, belongings etc. I had been close to potentially organising a work contract, but 'talk' of a contract wasn't enough reason either and I ran out of time.

Anyway, despite being pretty angry about it all, I accepted the decision and returned home at the end of August (the application was still being processed from April). Now that I've been away I've found myself really missing Finland and I've been looking to return. We all know how hard it is to find work, which I have been doing with no luck so far. Maybe being in Finland in person would make things a little easier...

So I was looking at the Migri site for any other options and noticed the Degree from Finland page and this got me thinking. I completed a Bachelor's degree from an ammattikorkeakoulu at the end of 2011. I contacted a friend who works with migrants in Jyväskylä and he spoke with someone from Migri about it, but they claimed that you could only apply on these grounds if you already held a current, valid residence permit (A or B).

Of course knowing this might have been more useful last year when I could have applied on these grounds for an extension instead of permanent residence, but I'm wondering if anyone has experience applying on these grounds. Especially if the application was made when there was no current, valid permit in force.

I'd say my case is fairly unusual, these grounds are more aimed at those who have been on a study permit, so I'd be grateful for any experiences or insights on how to best approach this option.

[Rip]

"Degree from Finland" isn't grounds for permit here, but it would allow you to get an employment based permit without considering if some local unemployed person could do the job instead of you. It makes things easier, but you still need a job.

[Adrian42]

I had been close to potentially organising a work contract, but 'talk' of a contract wasn't enough reason either and I ran out of time.

So I was looking at the Migri site for any other options and noticed the Degree from Finland page and this got me thinking. I completed a Bachelor's degree from an ammattikorkeakoulu at the end of 2011.

Of course knowing this might have been more useful last year when I could have applied on these grounds for an extension instead of permanent residence, but I'm wondering if anyone has experience applying on these grounds. Especially if the application was made when there was no current, valid permit in force.

There is no Residence Permit on the grounds of having a Degree from Finland.

You seem to have misread the "Degree from Finland" Migri page you are linking to, it says:

If you have studied and completed a degree or other qualifications in Finland, you may apply for a new residence permit from the police or the embassy on the grounds of work after you have found a job.

If you got a job offered, and you apply for a Residence Permit for this job, then it is irrelevant when there are unemployed people available in Finland who could do the job instead of you - without a Degree from Finland that would be a reason to deny the Residence Permit.

You did not have a job offer last year, so just like for the Permanent Residence Permit your application for a Residence Permit based on work (with a Degree from Finland) would have been denied due to the lack of a job offer.

I contacted a friend who works with migrants in Jyväskylä and he spoke with someone from Migri about it, but they claimed that you could only apply on these grounds if you already held a current, valid residence permit (A or B).

There is no time limit in the Alien's Act, and the Migri page you linked to states explicitly

No limit has been set for the time that may lapse between the date you complete a degree and the date you apply for a permit on the grounds of a job. Even if you have completed your degree in Finland several years ago, you have the right to apply for a permit on the grounds of a job.

There is one possible source of confusion that might have caused the answer to your friend:
If someone is in Finland on a Student Residence Permit (you weren't), he is entitled to a one-time 6 month extension of his Student Residence Permit for seeking work on the grounds of having just completed a Degree in Finland.

[stewy]

There is one possible source of confusion that might have caused the answer to your friend:
If someone is in Finland on a Student Residence Permit (you weren't), he is entitled to a one-time 6 month extension of his Student Residence Permit for seeking work on the grounds of having just completed a Degree in Finland.

Ok, so the one-time extension is only applicable to those who have stayed in Finland on a Study Permit AND have completed their degree in Finland. And even though I don't fulfill that criteria (nice to know I didn't blow an opportunity to stay last year ), I'm assuming if a person were to leave the country and decide a year later they wanted to return they would not be entitled to that 'extension'.

You're right though, I was a little confused in regards to the 'grounds'. The wording on the site is a bit unclear. It's not necessarily grounds for a presidence permit, just something that can help get one if you're offered a job. Thanks for the reply, I guess I'll keep looking for a job

[Adrian42]

There is one possible source of confusion that might have caused the answer to your friend:
If someone is in Finland on a Student Residence Permit (you weren't), he is entitled to a one-time 6 month extension of his Student Residence Permit for seeking work on the grounds of having just completed a Degree in Finland.

Ok, so the one-time extension is only applicable to those who have stayed in Finland on a Study Permit AND have completed their degree in Finland. And even though I don't fulfill that criteria (nice to know I didn't blow an opportunity to stay last year ), I'm assuming if a person were to leave the country and decide a year later they wanted to return they would not be entitled to that 'extension'.

Yes, that's what Section 55(4) of the Aliens Act says:

A person who has received a degree or other qualification in Finland is issued with a temporary residence permit under section 54(4) for one six-month period from the expiry of the previous residence permit.

The only opportunity you might have blown last year (but that might still be available today) would be to stay for 1 year in Finland on a working holiday Residence Permit.

[stewy]

The only opportunity you might have blown last year (but that might still be available today) would be to stay for 1 year in Finland on a working holiday Residence Permit.

Yes, I still have that option available as a last resort. I've decided for now to keep looking for something more stable in terms of income and job security before taking that path. Thanks for your input.