Can I hire myself as a specialist at my own Oy?

[Spiky]

I'm a self-employed indie game developer. Is it possible for me to get a residence permit by starting an Oy and then hiring myself on as a specialist? Are there any major pitfalls to watch out for when trying to hire myself at my own company? (Like, say, a requirement that I first prove nobody in the EU is willing to take my job at the salary I want to pay myself)

I don't have a degree, but I've been programming professionally for eight years and my current royalty income is high enough to meet the salary requirements.

Other available options:

I could start a toiminimi and apply as self-employed. If it weren't for the fact that self-employed immigration applications take forever, that would be my first choice since toiminimi accounting seems easier than Oy accounting (and probably closer to what I'm familiar with here, as I am not incorporated.)

Much of my income comes from a single UK-based company; if UK employers are allowed to hire specialists for work in Finland that might be an option. Downsides - brexit makes it unclear how long a UK-to-Finland employment contract would actually be useful, and that would involve convincing them to do extra paperwork that they don't benefit that much from.

[betelgeuse]

I'm a self-employed indie game developer. Is it possible for me to get a residence permit by starting an Oy and then hiring myself on as a specialist?

Yes.

Are there any major pitfalls to watch out for when trying to hire myself at my own company? (Like, say, a requirement that I first prove nobody in the EU is willing to take my job at the salary I want to pay myself)

The point of a specialist permit is that no labor market opinion is needed.

I don't have a degree, but I've been programming professionally for eight years and my current royalty income is high enough to meet the salary requirements.

The law does not require a degree but Migri considers it can indication. Considering that game development has not really been taught in cools for that long, it should make things easier.

I could start a toiminimi and apply as self-employed. If it weren't for the fact that self-employed immigration applications take forever, that would be my first choice since toiminimi accounting seems easier than Oy accounting (and probably closer to what I'm familiar with here, as I am not incorporated.)

You will need an accountant in the beginning any way since not all information is available in English.

Much of my income comes from a single UK-based company; if UK employers are allowed to hire specialists for work in Finland that might be an option.

They are. You will need to investigate handling of social security payments, pensions etc in that case.

Downsides - brexit makes it unclear how long a UK-to-Finland employment contract would actually be useful, and that would involve convincing them to do extra paperwork that they don't benefit that much from.

I don't think Brexit would make a difference. They are not going to deport you once in the country with valid employment and permit regardless of where the employer is located.