Long-stay visas (Type D)
Finnish EU Blue Card
The EU-wide permit for highly qualified employment, for people with higher qualifications, a job of at least six months and a high salary.
Important information
- Issued by
- Finnish Immigration Service (Migri)
- Qualification
- Higher education degree (min. 3 years) or ~5 years comparable professional experience
- Minimum salary (2026)
- At least EUR 3,937 gross per month
- Fringe benefits excluded
- Minimum job length
- At least 6 months
- Permit duration
- Up to 2 years
- If the contract is shorter, issued for the contract plus 3 months
Who it's for
Non-EU professionals coming to Finland for highly qualified employment who hold a relevant higher education degree or several years of comparable high-level experience and have a qualifying job offer.
Requirements
- Confirmed employment before applying, for a job lasting at least six months
- Higher education qualification (degree of at least three years) OR about five years of comparable higher professional experience
- Gross salary of at least EUR 3,937 per month in 2026
- Employer supplies the terms of employment
- A valid passport
What you can do
- Work in Finland in highly qualified employment
- Benefit from EU Blue Card intra-EU mobility rules for moving to another member state
- Bring family members via family-ties permits
- Extend the card and build residence toward permanent/long-term status
How to apply
Apply in the Enter Finland online service or on paper, with the employer completing the employment details. Pay the processing fee.
Prove your identity at a Finnish mission abroad for a first permit, or at a Migri service point for an extension. Migri then decides.
Documents
- Valid passport
- EU Blue Card residence-permit application
- Proof of higher education qualification or comparable professional experience
- Employment contract of at least six months and terms of employment
- Evidence the salary meets the Blue Card threshold
Frequently asked questions
The Blue Card is an EU-level permit with intra-EU mobility rights and its own qualification and six-month job rules; the specialist permit is a national Finnish permit. Both require a high salary.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.
Related Finnish visas
- WORKJOB OFFERLABOUR-MARKET TESTResidence permit for an employed personFinland's main work permit for people with a job offer, subject to an availability (labour-market) test and a minimum salary.View visa details
- WORKSPECIALISTSFAST TRACKResidence permit for a specialistA faster work-permit track for highly qualified specialists on a higher salary, exempt from the labour-market test.View visa details
- BUSINESSSELF-EMPLOYEDSTART-UP TRACKResidence permit for an entrepreneur (and start-up entrepreneur)For people setting up or running a business in Finland, offering an established-business entrepreneur route and a separate growth-focused start-up track.View visa details