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Entrepreneur Residence Permit (Yrittäjän oleskelulupa)
VisasFinlandEntrepreneur Residence Permit (Yrittäjän oleskelulupa)
FinlandFinland•Europe
Open

Entrepreneur Residence Permit (Yrittäjän oleskelulupa)

Investment PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–2 months

Estimated Cost

€240 EUR

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

Varies (Maximum duration for transfer; extensible if transfer continues)

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Overview

Renewable residence permit for entrepreneurs operating profitable companies in Finland, with a pathway to permanent residency.

The Entrepreneur Residence Permit allows self-employed persons and business owners to operate ventures in Finland. Issued by Migri, it targets entrepreneurs with viable business plans capable of generating sufficient income to support livelihood and business costs. Core requirement: demonstrate business viability and active involvement, with company registered in the Finnish Trade Register.

The application fee is EUR 240. Processing time varies as the ELY Centre assesses profitability before Migri decides. The permit duration varies and is renewable if viable. Spouses enjoy unrestricted work authorization and dependents may be included. A conversion pathway to permanent residency is available.

This visa is ideal for entrepreneurs launching tech startups, creative agencies, or specialized service businesses who can demonstrate a credible business plan and sufficient capital for Finnish operations.

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

P-Permit — Permanent Residence Permit (Pysyvä oleskelulupa)
Finland flagFinland

P-Permit — Permanent Residence Permit (Pysyvä oleskelulupa)

Validity5 years
Processing5 months – 1.2 years
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a self-employed person or business owner (e.g., private trader, partner).

Business must be viable and generate sufficient income to cover the entrepreneur's livelihood and business costs.

Must be actively involved in the business operations.

Must have a business plan and necessary financing.

Company must be registered in the Finnish Trade Register (or provide documents for registration if applying from abroad).

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Income

17,556 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport from country of nationality

Colour copy of passport personal data page

Passport photo (max 6 months old) or photo retrieval code

Business plan (for first permit or if changes occurred)

Articles/memorandum of association (if company not yet registered)

Shareholder register (for limited liability companies)

Business premises documentation (rental agreement or ownership proof)

Professional qualifications or competence certificates

Bank statements (last 3 months) showing available funds

Financial forecast for next 2 years

Most recent financial statements

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Fast processing: most cases decided in 1 month, maximum 2 months for online and paper applications
  • Renewable permit allows unlimited extensions to grow and scale your business in Finland
  • Clear pathway to permanent residency after successful business establishment
  • Spouse can work unrestricted, supporting family economic stability
  • Access to EU market and Finnish business environment for global growth
  • Dependents (children up to 17) can join you in Finland
  • Self-employed or business owner model—complete autonomy over your operations

Worth Knowing

  • ELY Centre profitability assessment is rigorous and can slow or derail applications
  • Must demonstrate sufficient income to support yourself plus business costs, not just profits
  • YEL self-employed insurance mandatory once business operational—adds ongoing costs
  • Requires comprehensive business plan, financial forecasts, and bank statements to prove viability
  • No dual intent: cannot apply on tourist visa—requires investment/residency intent from start

Application Process

1

Prepare a business plan and financial projections.

2

Register the business or prepare registration documents.

3

Apply for the residence permit via Enter Finland.

4

Pay the processing fee.

5

Prove identity at a Finnish mission.

6

The ELY Centre (Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment) assesses the business profitability.

7

Migri makes the final decision based on the ELY Centre's assessment.

Application Forms

Go to application portal
OLE_YRI – Residence permit application for an entrepreneurFill online
MP_1 – Response to possible denial of admittance (if applying in Finland)Fill online

Verified Claims (7)

Last verified Jun 20, 2026
Forms
OLE_YRI – Residence permit application for an entrepreneur; MP_1 – Response to possible denial of ad…
migri.fi
Official Info
https://migri.fi/en/entrepreneur
migri.fi
Pr Pathway
true
migri.fi
Processing Estimates
{"minDays":30,"maxDays":60}
migri.fi
Processing Time
1 to 2 months (most cases 1 month; legal maximum 2 months). Applies to both online and paper applica…
migri.fi
Renewable
true
migri.fi
Required Docs
Valid passport from country of nationality; Colour copy of passport personal data page; Passport pho…
migri.fi
Apply Now Official Information

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