Residence permit and unemployment

[Juliash]

Hello!
I have a complicated situation as regards residence permit. I have been living in Finland since 2002 but always with a student visa until four years ago I got a residence permit for work. Now my permit is expiring, and I could be entitled to the permanent residence permit. But in the meanwhile I lost my job, and now I am unemployed. My current income is benefits from Kela. It seems that I have no grounds to apply for the permanent residence permit, as well as for other residence permits, loosing all my efforts of many years. I also completed my PhD degree in Finland two years ago, but cannot find an employment based on my studies as well. Any advice?
Thank you!

[rinso]

but cannot find an employment based on my studies as well

Since it seems that work is critical for the new RP, you should look for any kind of work. Restricting yourself to your field of study is to much of a handicap.

[biryvih]

You can apply for citizenship. You won't need any job for that.

[Juliash]

I see... Citizenship is out of question, since I do not speak Finnish. I have been working in an international environment all time.

[Juliash]

but cannot find an employment based on my studies as well

Since it seems that work is critical for the new RP, you should look for any kind of work. Restricting yourself to your field of study is to much of a handicap.

Would "any kind of work" be sufficient? I have read that in order to apply for a permanent permit I need to keep the same work as before or a similar one/in the same field. On the other hand, as someone graduated in Finland, as I know, I can stay only if I am employed as an expert in the field of my studies.

[biryvih]

Would "any kind of work" be sufficient?

Yep, as you've completed your education in Finland, so I believe there shouldn't be any restrictions.. Unless you have some restrictions on your current permit. If there isn't any, than do whatever you like.

And still "working in international environment" is not an excuse to not to learn Finnish.. It is always a good idea to keep your options open.

[heretostay]

If you have been living here for more than 15 years surely you have picked up some Finnish. I would think with a quick course or 2 you should be ready for the citizenship test (YKI). It isn’t that difficult and you don’t have to be perfect or fluent at all. You only need to pass 2 specific combinations of sections even.

[Juliash]

Would "any kind of work" be sufficient?

Yep, as you've completed your education in Finland, so I believe there shouldn't be any restrictions.. Unless you have some restrictions on your current permit. If there isn't any, than do whatever you like.

My current work permit is made for work in one field (although it is not bound by an exact employer): is this a restriction? My education is completed in another field.

[Juliash]

If you have been living here for more than 15 years surely you have picked up some Finnish. I would think with a quick course or 2 you should be ready for the citizenship test (YKI). It isn’t that difficult and you don’t have to be perfect or fluent at all. You only need to pass 2 specific combinations of sections even.

Thank you: I surely picked up some Finnish, but it is not a matter of one-two courses to improve it to the state of the YKI.and the visa question should be solved urgently.

[browndude]

I must say that I am a bit shocked to see that the OP has lived here for 16 years, did a PhD, wants to keep living here but has not learnt enough Finnish to pass even the YKI test.

[vla]

I must say that I am a bit shocked to see that the OP has lived here for 16 years, did a PhD, wants to keep living here but has not learnt enough Finnish to pass even the YKI test.

I think we all are.