Internship Residence Permit (Harjoittelijan oleskelulupa)

Finland•Europe

Open

Internship Residence Permit (Harjoittelijan oleskelulupa)

Working Holiday Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–3 months

Estimated Cost

EUR €760–€1,060

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

18 months

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Overview

Professional internship permit for non-EU nationals in Finland, renewable up to 18 months per grant.

The Internship Residence Permit allows non-EU/EEA nationals to undertake professional internships or practical training at Finnish organizations. Applicants must be within two years of graduation, part of an international exchange program, or aged 18–30 if studying Finnish abroad, and require a valid training agreement with the host organization and proof of financial resources.

Permits are granted for up to 18 months, with a processing time of 2–6 weeks and a fee of EUR 240. The permit is not renewable; applicants must return to their home country or transition to a different visa category upon completion. Spouses and dependents may reside and spouses can work without restriction.

This visa is ideal for international students and recent graduates seeking structured professional experience in a Nordic workplace while maintaining their educational or early-career development trajectory.

Cost Breakdown

First permit (electronic)EUR €530

First permit (paper)EUR €630

Extended permit (electronic)EUR €230

Extended permit (paper)EUR €430

TotalEUR €760–€1,060

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

1.5 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

TTOL — Residence Permit for an Employed Person (Työntekijän oleskelulupa)

Finland

TTOL — Residence Permit for an Employed Person (Työntekijän oleskelulupa)

Validity1 year

Processing3 weeks – 2 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be an internship or unpaid traineeship through a program (e.g., Erasmus+).

Must meet one of three conditions: within 2 years of graduation, part of an intergovernmental/NGO exchange program, or 18-30 years old studying Finnish/Swedish abroad.

Training agreement with the host organization.

Proof of sufficient financial resources.

Valid passport.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Employment contract

Salary documentation

Passport photos

Transfer notification (sponsor)

Company registration (sponsor)

Parent company verification (sponsor)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Up to 18 months stay for internship or practical training placements
Renewable permit that can extend if internship placement continues
Lower fee for extended permits (EUR 230 electronic option available)
Fast processing — typically resolved within approximately 1 month
Structured pathway designed for recent graduates and international students
Spouse can work without restriction during the internship period
Multiple application channels available (electronic and paper options)
Clear official process with established forms (OLE_TY3 and MP_1)

Worth Knowing

Multiple fee tiers depending on permit type (first vs. extended) and submission method (electronic vs. paper)
Must meet specific criteria: recent graduate, part of exchange program, or 18-30 studying Finnish/Swedish
Processing can extend up to 3 months maximum by law depending on case complexity
Not a pathway to permanent residency — temporary status tied strictly to internship duration