Finland Residence Permit (Migri): Documents and Translation Guide

66,000 Ukrainians in Finland are living under temporary protection, automatically extended until March 2027. Sounds fine for now - but what happens next? If you’re planning to stay long-term - work, study, build a life with your family - you’ll eventually need to apply for a “regular” residence permit through Migri. And that’s where the real adventure begins: which documents to gather, what needs translating, who is this auktorisoitu kääntäjä person, how much it all costs, and how Enter Finland actually works. Let’s break it down step by step.

Types of residence permits in Finland¶

Before you start collecting documents, let’s understand the system. Finland has three types of residence permits (oleskelulupa in Finnish), marked by letters.

A permit (jatkuva oleskelulupa) - a continuous residence permit. Don’t confuse it with permanent: it’s issued for a specific period (usually 1-4 years), but you can renew it. The key thing is that this time counts as continuous residence toward permanent residency. Issued for work, university studies, and family reunification.

B permit (tilapäinen oleskelulupa) - a temporary residence permit. Also for a specific period, but it does NOT count toward permanent residency. Given for temporary work or college-level studies.

P permit (pysyvä oleskelulupa) - a permanent residence permit. The ultimate goal. With this, you live and work without restrictions. But as of January 8, 2026, the rules for getting one got significantly stricter - more on that below.

There’s also the temporary protection permit (tilapäinen suojelu). Technically it’s an oleskelulupa too, but it sits outside the regular A/B/P system.

Type	Finnish name	Purpose	Counts toward PR?
A	Jatkuva oleskelulupa	Work, university, family	Yes
B	Tilapäinen oleskelulupa	Temporary work, college	No
P	Pysyvä oleskelulupa	Permanent residence	-
Temporary protection	Tilapäinen suojelu	War protection	No

Temporary protection for Ukrainians: where things stand¶

If you came to Finland because of the war, you most likely have a permit based on temporary protection. Here’s the current situation:

• Temporary protection has been extended until March 4, 2027
• The extension is automatic - no applications, fees, or biometric updates needed
• Around 66,000 Ukrainians received an official letter from Migri in January 2026 confirming the extension
• You have the right to work and study from day one of your temporary protection application, with no sector restrictions

But here’s the catch: temporary protection is a temporary solution. It doesn’t provide a direct path to permanent residency. Time spent under temporary protection doesn’t count as continuous residence for permanent residence purposes.

If you’re planning to stay in Finland long-term, it makes sense to think about transitioning to a regular residence permit. And the sooner, the better.

When and why to switch to a regular permit¶

Transitioning from temporary protection to a regular A permit makes sense in several situations.

You’re working. If you have an employment contract with a Finnish employer, you can apply for a work-based residence permit. This puts you on an A permit, and your time starts counting toward permanent residency.

You’re studying. If you’ve been accepted to a Finnish university or polytechnic (ammattikorkeakoulu - university of applied sciences), you can get a study-based permit. For higher education, this is an A permit.

You have family in Finland. If your spouse or close relative has Finnish citizenship or a residence permit, you can apply for family reunification.

You want stability. Temporary protection could theoretically end, while a regular A permit is a more stable status.

You can apply for a regular permit without giving up temporary protection. While Migri processes your application, you continue living and working under temporary protection.

Work-based residence permit¶

The most common path for Ukrainians who are already working. There are several subtypes.

Employee’s residence permit (työntekijän oleskelulupa)¶

For regular employment. You need an employment contract with a Finnish employer. The decision involves first the TE Office (employment service - they check working conditions), then Migri.

The minimum income depends on the collective agreement in your industry. If there’s no collective agreement, your salary must provide a sufficient standard of living.

Specialist permit (erityisasiantuntija)¶

For qualified workers with a higher education degree or significant work experience. The minimum salary in 2026 is EUR 3,937 per month (before taxes, not counting bonuses or fringe benefits). The advantage is fast-track processing - sometimes just two weeks.

To qualify as a specialist, you need to work in a position requiring special expertise and have a university degree or equivalent experience.

EU Blue Card¶

For highly qualified specialists with an even higher salary. The salary threshold for the Blue Card is higher than for the specialist permit. It gives additional advantages if you later want to move to another EU country.

Documents for a work-based permit¶

• Completed application (via Enter Finland or paper form)
• Valid passport
• Photo no older than 6 months
• Employment contract or confirmation of employment from a Finnish employer
• University degree certificate (for specialist and Blue Card)
• Documents proving previous work experience (if qualification is based on experience)
• Health insurance

Study-based residence permit¶

If you’ve been accepted to a Finnish higher education institution, the permit type depends on your level of study:

• A permit for higher education (university or ammattikorkeakoulu)
• B permit for other studies (courses, vocational colleges)

Documents for a study permit¶

• Completed application
• Passport and photo
• Confirmation of acceptance from the institution
• Proof of financial resources - minimum EUR 800 per month, meaning you need EUR 9,600 in your bank account when applying
• Health insurance
• Previous certificates and diplomas (if required by the institution)

Many programs in Finland are tuition-free for students with a residence permit, which helps with the financial burden. But you still need to show the money in your account.

Family reunification (perheenyhdistäminen)¶

If your spouse, partner, or child already has a residence permit in Finland or Finnish citizenship, you can apply for family reunification.

Documents for family reunification¶

• Completed application
• Passport and photo
• Marriage certificate (for spouses)
• Child’s birth certificate (if applying as a parent)
• Custody documents (if applicable)
• Proof of income from the family member in Finland (showing they can support you financially)
• Rental agreement or proof of cohabitation (for unmarried partners, you need proof of 2 years of living together)

Documents related to family ties must be legalized - meaning they need an apostille. Take care of this ahead of time.

Family reunification is the longest process. Decisions can take 4 to 9 months.

Document translation: what Migri requires¶

This is the key part. Migri accepts documents in three languages: Finnish, Swedish, or English. Anything in Ukrainian or Russian needs to be translated.

But not just “translated.” Migri has specific translation requirements.

Option 1: Authorized translation (recommended)¶

A translation by an auktorisoitu kääntäjä - an authorized translator who has passed a state examination and is registered in the official Opetushallitus register. Their translation automatically carries legal weight - no additional certifications needed.

This is the simplest and most reliable option. Migri accepts these translations without any questions.

Option 2: Translation by a sworn translator from another EU country¶

If the translation was done by an official translator from another EU country (for example, a beeidigter Übersetzer from Germany or a tłumacz przysięgły from Poland), Migri will also accept it. The translator must be recognized as official in their country.

Option 3: Regular translation + legalization¶

If you found a translator who isn’t authorized, Migri could theoretically accept their translation. But then you’d need additional legalization. That’s an extra step, extra cost, and extra risk of delays. Better to order an authorized translation from the start.

What doesn’t need translating¶

• Documents already issued in Finnish, Swedish, or English (like an English-language diploma supplement)
• Your passport - Migri can read passport data without translation
• Standardized international certificates - IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge certificates, EU driving licenses
• Certain EU country documents with a standard multilingual form (Regulation EU 2016/1191). But this doesn’t apply to Ukrainian documents - Ukraine isn’t an EU member

Apostille: when you need one¶

Besides translation, some documents need to be legalized with an apostille - a special stamp that confirms the document is genuine and issued by an official authority. Ukraine is part of the Hague Convention, so an apostille is sufficient for Finnish authorities.

You’ll usually need an apostille for:

• Birth, marriage, and divorce certificates
• Diplomas and school certificates
• Criminal record certificates

The apostille goes on the original document (or a notarized copy) in Ukraine - through the Ministry of Justice or Ministry of Education (depending on the document type). If you’re already in Finland, you can contact the Ukrainian embassy.

The order matters: apostille first, then translation. The translator translates both the document and the apostille itself.

Where to find an authorized translator and how much it costs¶

We covered the authorized translation system in detail in a separate article. Here’s the short version.

The official register¶

All authorized translators are listed in the Opetushallitus (Finnish National Agency for Education) register. Search at akr.opintopolku.fi. Select your language pair (e.g., ukraina-suomi) and you’ll see the list.

The reality: for the Ukrainian-Finnish language pair, there are only a handful of authorized translators in all of Finland. Wait times can range from one week to a month. Plan ahead.

An alternative is getting an English translation from a sworn translator in another EU country. Since Migri accepts documents in English, this works too.

Prices¶

Authorized translation in Finland isn’t cheap. Here are approximate prices:

Document	Price (excl. VAT)	Notes
Birth certificate	40-80 €	1 page
Marriage certificate	40-80 €	1 page
Diploma	80-160 €	2-4 pages
Diploma supplement	120-300 €	Depends on volume
Criminal record certificate	40-80 €	1 page

One page in the Finnish system is 1,560 characters including spaces. VAT in Finland is 25.5%, so add about a quarter to each price. Some translators charge hourly (around EUR 51/hour) or per line (from EUR 1.48 per 60-character line).

How to save on translations¶

Before ordering an expensive authorized translation, it’s sometimes useful to first understand what a document says - especially if it’s in Finnish and you’re not sure what’s in it. You can use ChatsControl for that - upload the document, get an AI translation in minutes. It doesn’t replace an authorized translation for Migri, but it helps you understand what’s being asked and which documents to prepare.

Another tip: check whether you have English-language versions of your documents. Many Ukrainian universities issue a Diploma Supplement in English. If you have one, you don’t need to translate it.

Migri fees in 2026¶

As of January 1, 2026, Migri raised its fees - significantly. The main reason is fewer applications due to the economic situation, which means processing costs are spread across fewer applicants.

Permit type	Online (Enter Finland)	Paper application
First residence permit (adult)	750 €	800 €
Specialist permit	750 €	800 €
Permanent residence (P)	380 €	600 €

The full fee list is on Migri’s website. Fees for study and family reunification permits vary by situation - check before applying.

Fees are non-refundable, even if your application is rejected. Make sure all your documents are in order before paying.

Applying through Enter Finland is always cheaper than paper - the difference ranges from EUR 50 to EUR 220. Plus, online applications are processed faster.

Processing times¶

• Specialist permit (fast track): about 2 weeks
• Study: 1-2 months
• General work permit: 1-4 months
• Permanent residence: 2-6 months
• Family reunification: 4-9 months

These are estimates and can change. Migri publishes current processing times on their website.

Step-by-step: applying through Enter Finland¶

Enter Finland is Migri’s online system for residence permit applications. Here’s how it works.

Step 1: Determine your permit type¶

Go to enterfinland.fi and use the Application Finder. Answer questions about your situation and the system will tell you which application to fill out.

Step 2: Gather your documents¶

Before filling out the application, prepare: - Passport scan (all filled pages) - Digital photo (no older than 6 months) - Scans of all supporting documents (diplomas, certificates, references) - Authorized translations of all documents not in Finnish/Swedish/English - Apostilled documents (where required) - Employment contract, acceptance letter, or family documents - depending on your permit type

Step 3: Fill out the application online¶

The system guides you through every field step by step. It saves automatically - you don’t need to worry about losing progress. Fill everything out honestly and carefully - errors can lead to rejection or requests for additional documents.

Step 4: Pay the fee¶

Payment happens online when you submit. Visa and Mastercard are accepted.

Step 5: Verify your identity¶

After submitting, you need to visit a Migri service point in person for identification. Book an appointment through Enter Finland or migri.fi. Bring with you: - Original passport - Originals of all documents you attached to the application - Originals of all translations

Step 6: Track your application¶

After submission, you can follow the processing in Enter Finland. If Migri needs additional information, they’ll notify you through the system.

Step 7: Receive the decision¶

The decision will arrive in Enter Finland and by mail. If positive, you’ll receive your residence permit card.

Permanent residence: new rules from January 8, 2026¶

On January 8, 2026, significant amendments to the Aliens Act took effect, affecting permanent residence permits (P permit). If you’re planning to stay in Finland long-term, you need to know this.

What changed¶

Residence requirement increased from 4 to 6 years. Previously, you needed 4 years with an A permit for permanent residency. Now it’s 6. That’s a significant extension.

Language requirement. You now need to demonstrate Finnish or Swedish proficiency at B1 level (intermediate - you can hold a basic conversation and understand the main points of a text). There was no formal language requirement before.

Work history requirement. You need at least 2 years of work experience in Finland. This wasn’t required before.

Exceptions and alternative pathways¶

Not everyone has to wait 6 years. There are exceptions:

• Annual income over EUR 40,000 - you can apply after just 4 years, without language or work history requirements
• Master’s degree or PhD in Finland - you can apply without meeting the residence period requirement
• Bachelor’s degree from a Finnish university of applied sciences - you still need to meet the residence requirement, but work history isn’t mandatory
• Age 65+ - the language requirement doesn’t apply

What this means for Ukrainians¶

If you’re on temporary protection and transition to an A permit, the 6-year clock starts when you get the A permit - not when you arrived in Finland. If you get an A permit in 2026, you can apply for permanent residency no earlier than 2032.

This is exactly why it makes sense to transition to an A permit as early as possible - every year on temporary protection is a year that doesn’t count.

Common mistakes when applying¶

Here’s what goes wrong most often.

Submitting documents without translation. Migri will simply return them and ask you to translate. That’s a delay of weeks, sometimes months - while you find a translator, wait for the work, and resubmit.

Getting a regular translation instead of authorized. A translation agency will produce a “quality” translation, but without the authorized translator’s stamp, Migri might not accept it or may require additional legalization.

Forgetting about the apostille. Certificates without an apostille may be rejected. Getting an apostille on a Ukrainian document while you’re in Finland is much harder than doing it in Ukraine. Take care of it early.

Paper application instead of online. Paper applications cost EUR 50-220 more and are processed slower. Use Enter Finland.

Not planning ahead. An authorized translation from Ukrainian to Finnish takes time. There are very few translators and wait times are long. Start the process at least one to two months before you plan to submit.

FAQ¶

How much does a residence permit in Finland cost?¶

The application fee through Enter Finland ranges from EUR 380 to EUR 750 depending on the permit type. You also pay separately for authorized translations (EUR 40-80 per page excluding VAT) and apostilles. The total budget for one adult is roughly EUR 600 to EUR 1,500 including translations and fees.

Do I need an authorized translation for Migri if my documents are in Russian?¶

Yes. Migri only accepts documents in Finnish, Swedish, or English. Russian isn’t on that list, so Russian-language documents need translation just like Ukrainian ones. An authorized translation is recommended.

How do I switch from temporary protection to a regular residence permit?¶

You need a basis: employment (a contract with a Finnish employer), studies (acceptance to a higher education institution), or family ties (a relative with a Finnish permit or citizenship). Apply through Enter Finland, attach your translated documents, pay the fee, and wait for the decision. Your temporary protection remains valid while Migri processes the application.

How long does Migri take to process an application?¶

It depends on the type. Specialist permits (fast track) take about 2 weeks. Work permits take 1-4 months. Study permits 1-2 months. Family reunification is the longest at 4-9 months. Migri publishes current processing times on their website.

Does time under temporary protection count toward permanent residence?¶

No. Time on temporary protection doesn’t count as continuous residence for permanent residency purposes. The clock starts when you receive an A permit. This is the main reason why it’s worth switching to a regular residence permit as early as possible - if you’re planning to stay in Finland long-term.