Finland•Europe2 weeks – 2 months
€230–€800 EUR
Varies by filing options
2 years
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Dependents allowed
PR Pathway
Yes
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
Residence permit for founders of innovative startups approved by Business Finland, valid for up to 2 years with renewal to 4 years total.
Finland's Start-up Entrepreneur Residence Permit is for founders of innovative startups with a positive qualification Statement from Business Finland. The Finnish Immigration Service requires a scalable business model, sufficient financial resources (EUR 1,210/month minimum), and demonstrated expertise. The main activity must be startup entrepreneurship, with flexibility for additional employment.
The permit is valid for up to 2 years (renewable, with a 4-year total cap). Application fees are EUR 650 online or EUR 800 by paper. Processing typically takes 2 weeks, with some cases reaching 2 months. Holders can transition to permanent residency, and spouses have unrestricted work authorization.
This visa is ideal for international founders of venture-backed startups in technology and innovation sectors seeking to build in Finland.
| Initial grant | 2 years |
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
FinlandMust have a concrete business plan for an innovative, scalable startup.
Must obtain a positive 'qualification Statement' from Business Finland.
Must actively work in the company (not a passive investor).
Must have sufficient financial resources to cover living costs for the duration of the permit (approx. EUR 1,210/month in 2026).
Company must be registered or in the process of being registered in the Finnish Trade Register.
Min. Income
14,520 EUR/yr
Valid passport with color copy of personal data page
Passport photo (max 6 months old) or photo retrieval code
Proof of legal residence in the country of application
Positive qualification Statement from Business Finland (no older than 4 months)
Proof of financial resources sufficient for stay (bank statements, startup funding decisions, company accounts, or other continuous income documentation)
Form MP_1 if already residing in Finland (proof of legal stay)
| OLE_YRI Residence permit application for entrepreneur (paper form); use Enter Finland online service as the preferred electronic alternative | — |
| Eligibility Statement (Business Finland) Mandatory pre-requisite; applied for via Enter Finland before the residence permit application; must be no more than 4 months old at time of permit application | — |
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