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The researcher permit is for non-EU researchers and doctoral candidates with a hosting agreement from a Finnish research organisation. It can be issued under the EU Directive or as a national permit, with no labour-market test.
The Researcher Residence Permit (Tutkija) is for researchers and doctoral candidates hosted by a Finnish research organisation. The cornerstone requirement is a signed hosting agreement with that organisation. You then need either a bachelor's degree (for the national permit) or a master's degree (for the EU Directive permit), along with a salary that meets the applicable collective agreement, or sufficient net income if you are not formally employed, plus a valid passport. No availability consideration applies.
The EU Directive version adds research mobility within the EU, which can be useful for collaborative projects, while the national permit is available to bachelor's holders. Processing is generally about a month for most cases, with a three-month legal maximum, and the first electronic permit fee is EUR 530.
Collective-agreement salary levels and fees change over time, so confirm current details on migri.fi before applying. If you are unsure whether the EU Directive or national researcher permit suits your situation, ACME can help you weigh the options.
Get a free, personalised assessment from a licensed ACME advisor, or ask Acey.
Guidance only, not legal advice. ACME is an independent consultancy, not affiliated with any government. Rules change, confirm details with official sources.