RP-AuPair — Au Pair Residence Permit (Au pairin oleskelulupa)

Finland•Europe

Open

RP-AuPair — Au Pair Residence Permit (Au pairin oleskelulupa)

Working Holiday Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

3–8 months

Estimated Cost

€240 EUR

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

1 year

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Overview

One-year cultural exchange permit for young adults (17-30) to live with a Finnish family as an au pair, with mandatory language or culture course.

The Finnish Au Pair Residence Permit is a cultural exchange visa for young adults (17–30) providing childcare and household assistance to host families in exchange for room, board, and pocket money. It offers a non-traditional entry route without requiring specialized professional qualifications, emphasizing cultural and linguistic immersion.

The permit lasts a maximum of one year and is non-renewable. Processing typically takes three months, with some cases extending to eight months. The application fee is EUR 240. Applicants must have basic knowledge of Finnish or Swedish language or culture and enroll in a language course during their stay. Health insurance and a signed au pair agreement with the host family are required.

This visa is ideal for young adults between 17 and 30 seeking to experience Finnish society, improve Nordic language skills, and gain international experience through family immersion.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

1 year

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be 17–30 years of age.

Must not have worked as an au pair in Finland or another country before.

Must have basic knowledge of Finnish or Swedish language or Finnish culture.

Must be enrolled in a language or culture course in Finland.

Must have a written au pair agreement with the host family.

Must have health and accident insurance for the entire stay.

Must have a health certificate (less than 3 months old) showing no infectious diseases.

Must not be a close relative of the host family.

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Income

4,080 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Employment contract

Salary documentation

Passport photos

Transfer notification (sponsor)

Company registration (sponsor)

Parent company verification (sponsor)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Cultural immersion in a safe, family-based environment with native language exposure
All accommodation and meals provided by host family during the stay
Minimal prior work experience or professional qualifications required
Modest application fee of EUR 240 with straightforward approval process
Opportunity to learn Finnish/Swedish through mandatory language courses
No requirement to secure formal employment contract before arrival
Structured cultural exchange program with legal protections built in

Worth Knowing

Processing takes 3 months typical, up to 8 months in some cases
Limited to ages 17–30; must have never worked as au pair before
Cannot extend beyond one year on au pair grounds; must change permit status
Limited working hours and strictly childcare-focused duties (no other employment)
Mandatory language/culture course enrollment; basic proficiency in Finnish, Swedish, or culture required
Must secure host family placement before applying; no placement = no permit

Application Process

Secure an au pair placement with a host family.

Prepare all required documents, including the au pair agreement and health certificate.

Fill in the application form (online via Enter Finland or on paper).

Pay the processing fee.

Book an appointment to prove your identity at a Finnish mission (if abroad) or a Migri service point (if in Finland).

Attend the appointment to prove your identity and present original documents.

Wait for the decision.

Application Forms

Go to application portal

Residence Permit Application for Au Pair Status (OLE_AUP)

Fill online

Verified Claims (8)

Last verified Jun 27, 2026

Forms

Residence Permit Application for Au Pair Status (OLE_AUP)

migri.fi

Language Req

Basic knowledge of Finnish or Swedish language or Finnish culture required; applicant must also enro…

migri.fi

Official Info

https://migri.fi/en/au-pair

migri.fi

Max Stay

Maximum of one year.

migri.fi

Max Stay Estimate

type: days, initialDays: 365, notes: Maximum duration is one year; cannot be extended on au pair gro…

migri.fi

Min Income Currency

EUR

migri.fi

Processing Estimates

{"minDays":90,"maxDays":244}

migri.fi

Processing Time

Approximately 3 months in most cases; up to 8 months in a minority of cases.

migri.fi

Apply Now Official Information

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Overview

One-year cultural exchange permit for young adults (17-30) to live with a Finnish family as an au pair, with mandatory language or culture course.

This visa is ideal for young adults between 17 and 30 seeking to experience Finnish society, improve Nordic language skills, and gain international experience through family immersion.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be 17–30 years of age.

Must not have worked as an au pair in Finland or another country before.

Must have basic knowledge of Finnish or Swedish language or Finnish culture.

Must be enrolled in a language or culture course in Finland.

Must have a written au pair agreement with the host family.

Must have health and accident insurance for the entire stay.

Must have a health certificate (less than 3 months old) showing no infectious diseases.

Must not be a close relative of the host family.

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Income

4,080 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Employment contract

Salary documentation

Passport photos

Transfer notification (sponsor)

Company registration (sponsor)

Parent company verification (sponsor)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Cultural immersion in a safe, family-based environment with native language exposure
All accommodation and meals provided by host family during the stay
Minimal prior work experience or professional qualifications required
Modest application fee of EUR 240 with straightforward approval process
Opportunity to learn Finnish/Swedish through mandatory language courses
No requirement to secure formal employment contract before arrival
Structured cultural exchange program with legal protections built in

Worth Knowing

Processing takes 3 months typical, up to 8 months in some cases
Limited to ages 17–30; must have never worked as au pair before
Cannot extend beyond one year on au pair grounds; must change permit status
Limited working hours and strictly childcare-focused duties (no other employment)
Mandatory language/culture course enrollment; basic proficiency in Finnish, Swedish, or culture required
Must secure host family placement before applying; no placement = no permit

Application Process