Finland•EuropeEntrepreneur Residence Permit (Yrittäjän oleskelulupa)
At a Glance
1–2 months
EUR €240
Varies (Maximum duration for transfer; extensible if transfer continues)
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Overview
Renewable residence permit for entrepreneurs operating profitable companies in Finland, with a pathway to permanent residency.
The Entrepreneur Residence Permit allows self-employed persons and business owners to operate ventures in Finland. Issued by Migri, it targets entrepreneurs with viable business plans capable of generating sufficient income to support livelihood and business costs. Core requirement: demonstrate business viability and active involvement, with company registered in the Finnish Trade Register.
The application fee is EUR 240. Processing time varies as the ELY Centre assesses profitability before Migri decides. The permit duration varies and is renewable if viable. Spouses enjoy unrestricted work authorization and dependents may be included. A conversion pathway to permanent residency is available.
This visa is ideal for entrepreneurs launching tech startups, creative agencies, or specialized service businesses who can demonstrate a credible business plan and sufficient capital for Finnish operations.
Conversion Paths
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
FinlandP-Permit — Permanent Residence Permit (Pysyvä oleskelulupa)
Requirements
PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS
Must be a self-employed person or business owner (e.g., private trader, partner).
Business must be viable and generate sufficient income to cover the entrepreneur's livelihood and business costs.
Must be actively involved in the business operations.
Must have a business plan and necessary financing.
Company must be registered in the Finnish Trade Register (or provide documents for registration if applying from abroad).
KEY CRITERIA
Min. Income
17,556 EUR/yr
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Valid passport from country of nationality
Colour copy of passport personal data page
Passport photo (max 6 months old) or photo retrieval code
Business plan (for first permit or if changes occurred)
Articles/memorandum of association (if company not yet registered)
Shareholder register (for limited liability companies)
Business premises documentation (rental agreement or ownership proof)
Professional qualifications or competence certificates
Bank statements (last 3 months) showing available funds
Financial forecast for next 2 years
Most recent financial statements
Advantages & Considerations
Key Benefits
- Fast processing: most cases decided in 1 month, maximum 2 months for online and paper applications
- Renewable permit allows unlimited extensions to grow and scale your business in Finland
- Clear pathway to permanent residency after successful business establishment
- Spouse can work unrestricted, supporting family economic stability
- Access to EU market and Finnish business environment for global growth
- Dependents (children up to 17) can join you in Finland
- Self-employed or business owner model—complete autonomy over your operations
Worth Knowing
- ELY Centre profitability assessment is rigorous and can slow or derail applications
- Must demonstrate sufficient income to support yourself plus business costs, not just profits
- YEL self-employed insurance mandatory once business operational—adds ongoing costs
- Requires comprehensive business plan, financial forecasts, and bank statements to prove viability
- No dual intent: cannot apply on tourist visa—requires investment/residency intent from start
Application Process
Prepare a business plan and financial projections.
Register the business or prepare registration documents.
Apply for the residence permit via Enter Finland.
Pay the processing fee.
Prove identity at a Finnish mission.
The ELY Centre (Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment) assesses the business profitability.
Migri makes the final decision based on the ELY Centre's assessment.
Application Forms
Go to application portal| OLE_YRI – Residence permit application for an entrepreneur | Fill online |
| MP_1 – Response to possible denial of admittance (if applying in Finland) | Fill online |
Related visas
More visas in Finland
Entrepreneur visas in other countries
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