Can international students work and stay on after studying in Finland?

Finland is comparatively generous to international students who want to build a future there. While studying on the student permit (Opiskelija), you may work an average of 30 hours per week, which helps with living costs and with building local experience and contacts. The permit itself is issued for the duration of your degree studies.

After you graduate, you can apply for a post-study residence permit that gives you up to two years to find work or establish a business. During that time you can transition into one of Finland's work routes — for example a specialist permit or EU Blue Card if you secure a qualifying role at the required salary, or the standard employed-person permit (TTOL) otherwise. Time spent on these A-permits also counts toward eventual permanent or EU long-term residence.

Financial-means amounts, salary thresholds and fees change from time to time, so confirm current figures on migri.fi as you plan each step. ACME can help you map the full path from studies through the post-study permit and into a work permit.