Guide to temporary entry into Finland under CETA

On this page

1. Short-term business visitors
2. Business visitors for investment purposes
3. Investors
4. Contractual service suppliers
5. Independent professionals
6. Intra-corporate transferees

This guide is for a Canadian business person temporarily travelling to Finland to do business. It provides general information about temporary entry and stay requirements for business people under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and under Finnish law. This guide aims to facilitate the entry of Canadian business people into Finland for the purposes of exploring, entering and expanding operations in the Finnish market. You will find relevant links and summaries of main steps for work permit and visa applications, including costs and lengths, for the categories of business people covered in CETA.

Related link

Text of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement – Chapter 10: Temporary entry and stay of natural persons for business purposes

CETA entered into force provisionally in 2017, which means that Finland is bound by the Temporary Entry Chapter. However, there are still significant differences between CETA requirements and the national Finnish laws regulating temporary entry. As such, some of the paths for entry identified in this guide do not fully overlap with the categories of business people covered in CETA.  

For any questions regarding Finland's temporary entry commitments under CETA, please contact: enquiry-demande.TE@international.gc.ca

Short-term business visitor

Do I qualify as a short-term business visitor under CETA?

Under CETA, a short-term business visitor is a Canadian traveling to Finland for one of the following activities:  

• meetings and consultations
• research and design
• marketing research
• training seminars
• trade fairs and exhibitions
• sales (negotiations or taking orders, cannot deliver goods or services themselves)
• purchasing
• after-sales or after-lease service
• commercial transactions as an employee of a Canadian enterprise (management and supervisory or financial services personnel only)
• tourism/travel operations as an employee of a Canadian enterprise
• translation and interpretation

The detailed list of activities can be found under Annex 10-D of CETA.

A short-term business visitor cannot:

• sell a good or a service to the general public
• receive payment from a source located in Finland
• provide any other service to a consumer in Finland that is not listed under activities of a business visitor

Under CETA a Canadian short-term business visitor can stay in Finland for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

Do I need a work permit or a visa as a short-term business visitor under CETA?

Under CETA, an eligible short-term business visitor does not need a work permit, but may need a visa.

Under Finnish law, Canadian short-term business visitors do not need a Schengen C visa to enter Finland. You are entitled to stay within any country of the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

Canadian companies can also send non-Canadian nationals locally hired in Canada for short-term business travel in Finland. In this case, a Schengen C visa may be required, if the short-term business visitor is not a national of Canada or another a visa exempt country. They must file their application for Schengen C visas with the relevant Finnish Consulate/Embassy. The processing time is approximately 2 weeks.

Related links

Schengen area
Schengen calculator
Schengen C visa exempt countries

Under Finnish law, a short-term business visitor arriving to Finland by invitation or with a signed contract to engage in gainful employment for up to 3 months in a position that requires special expertise does not need a work permit.

In addition, a short-term business visitor can work in one of the following occupations or activities without a work or residence permit:

• interpreter, teacher, expert (specialist) or sports judge, by invitation or contract, for up to 3 months
• professional artist or athlete, by invitation or contract, including support, maintenance and coaching staff, for up to 3 months
• seafarer on a ship either on the list of merchant ships or on a ship which mainly operates between foreign ports
• performing temporary procurement or subcontracting work as a permanent employee of an enterprise operating in another European Union or European Economic Area country with residence and work permits valid in Finland

A short-term business visitor can also enter Finland to work in one of the following roles without a residence permit, as long as they do not have an establishment in Finland:

• product presenter or film worker for up to 3 months
• tour guide for a company trip from abroad to Finland
• staff member of a foreign-owned or controlled motor vehicle company transporting a vehicle across borders, or in regular scheduled transport between locations when at least one of which is abroad

A short-term business visitor cannot have their main place of residence in Finland.

There is no application process as these are work permit exempted activities. However, you must file a Posted Worker Notification online before beginning the activities. For more information, refer to right to work without a residence permit and reporting duty.

Business visitor for investment purposes

Please note: The business visitors for investment purposes category is covered under CETA, but does not exist under Finnish law. There are no specific work permit or visa options for a Canadian business visitor for investment purposes seeking temporary entry into Finland. If you have encountered problems entering Finland as a business visitor for investment purposes, please contact enquiry-demande.TE@international.gc.ca.

Do I qualify as a business visitor for investment purposes under CETA?

Under CETA, a Canadian business visitor for investment purposes is a Canadian manager or specialist responsible for setting up an enterprise in Finland.

A Canadian business visitor for investment purposes cannot:

• work directly with the general public in Finland
• receive compensation from a source located within Finland

Under CETA, Canadian business visitors for investment purposes can stay in Finland for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Do I need a work permit or visa as a business visitor for investment purposes under CETA?

This category does not exist under Finnish law. A Canadian business visitor for investment purposes may perform general activities as a short-term business visitor, such as attending internal meetings, discussions or conferences or attending client meetings, as long as their stay is limited to a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period.

Investor

Please note: The investors category is covered under CETA, but does exist under Finnish law. There are no specific work permit or visa options for a Canadian investors seeking temporary entry into Finland. If you have encountered problems entering Finland as an investor, please contact enquiry-demande.TE@international.gc.ca.

Do I qualify as an investor under CETA?

Under CETA, an investor is a Canadian in middle or top management, responsible for establishing, developing, or operating an investment that they or their employing enterprise have committed, or are in the process of committing, a substantial amount of capital to.

An investor cannot be employed by a non-profit organization.

Under CETA, Canadian investors can stay in Finland for up to 1 year, with possible extensions at the discretion of Finland's officials.

Do I need a work permit or a visa as an investor under CETA?

Under CETA, you may need a work permit and a visa as an investor.

This category does not exist under Finnish law. There are no specific work permit or visa options for a Canadian investor. However, a Canadian investor may qualify for a Start-up Permit.

In order to apply for a Start-up Permit, you will also first need to get a favourable assessment or "Eligibility Statement" from Business Finland, to attach to your application.

A Start-up Permit can be valid for up to 2 years. With this permit, your dependants can accompany you and would have the right to work.

Alternatively, a Canadian investor may also be eligible for a national specialist permit.

What are the eligibility requirements for a Start-up Permit?

Under Finnish law, in order to be eligible for a Start-up Permit, investors must have:

• a start-up team of at least 2 founders with a versatile expertise, planning to move to Finland
• the intention to found a fast-growth company in Finland
• an innovative business plan
• commitment to a business idea and eventually building a company
• a start-up team with significant holding in the company (e.g. not less than 60% of the company)
• access to sufficient resources and funding for the company's early stage development and the ability to secure financial means for support

How do I apply for a Start-up Permit?

Step 1: Request an Eligibility Statement from Business Finland online.

Consult the application form for instructions.

Step 2: Upon receiving approval from Business Finland, apply for a Start-up Permit at the Finnish Immigration Service

Step 3: Apply for a residence permit for a Start-up entrepreneur.

Refer to residence permit application for a start-up entrepreneur for more information about the application process and eligibility conditions.

How much will it cost?

The cost of the application is 350 EUR.

Contractual services supplier

Do I qualify as a contractual service supplier under CETA?

Under CETA, a contractual services supplier is a Canadian service supplier employed by an enterprise in Canada with a contract to provide a service to a consumer in Finland in an eligible service sector. A list of eligible services sectors under CETA is found under CETA Annex 10-E, number 9.

A Canadian contractual service supplier must also:

• have provided services as an employee of the contracted Canadian enterprise for at least one year before the date of their application for entry into Finland
• have a university degree or an equivalent qualification
• have at least 3 years of professional experience since the age of 18 in the sector of the contracted activity
• have any professional qualifications required to practice the activity according to the laws or requirements in Finland

For engineering technologists seeking entry as a contractual service supplier, a 3-year post-secondary degree from an officially recognised institution in engineering technology is considered equivalent to a university degree.

For scientific technologists seeking entry as a contractual service supplier, a 3-year post-secondary degree from an officially recognised institution in the disciplines of agriculture, architecture, biology, chemistry, physics, forestry, geology, geophysics, mining and energy is considered equivalent to a university degree.

A Canadian contractual service supplier cannot get paid for their services during their stay in Finland other than what is paid to them by their Canadian employers.

The Canadian enterprise that employs a Canadian contractual service supplier cannot have any establishment in Finland.

Fulfillment of the contract must require the temporary presence of the Canadian contractual service supplier in Finland.

Under CETA, a Canadian contractual services supplier can stay in Finland for up to 12 months in any 24-month period, or for the duration of the contract, whichever is less. Extensions are possible at the discretion of Finland's officials.

Do I need a work permit or a visa as a contractual service supplier under CETA?

Under CETA, a Canadian contractual services supplier may need a work permit and a visa.

Under Finnish law, a Canadian contractual services supplier should apply for one of the following permits:

• Residence permit issued for the delivery of a machine or a system, or
• Residence permit for an employed person (TTOL)

The residence permit issued for the delivery of a machine or a system can be valid for up to 6 months.

The TTOL can be valid for up to 1 year, initially. It is subject to a labour market test.

With both permits, dependants can accompany you and would have the right to work.

Am I eligible for a residence permit issued for the delivery of a machine or a system?

Under Finnish law, in order to be eligible for a residence permit issued for the delivery of a machine or a system, you must have a binding job offer or employment contract which must not exceed 6 months.

If you are not entering an employment contract with a local Finnish entity, you will also need to file a Posted Worker Notification online. For more information, refer to reporting duty.

Am I eligible for a TTOL?

Under Finnish law, to be eligible for a TTOL, you must have:

• a signed employment contract or a binding job offer with a Finnish employer
• secure means of support
• if you are working full-time, a salary corresponding to the applicable collective agreement, or if there is no such agreement, a minimum monthly gross salary of 1,252 EUR (2021 threshold)

How do I apply for a residence permit issued for the delivery of a machine or a system or a TTOL?

The steps to apply for these permits are the same:

Step 1: Submit your application using the online portal.

Step 2: Verify the documents and take biometrics at a Finnish consular post.

Step 3: Receive notification of approval through the online portal.

Step 4: Collect your residence card at a Finnish consular post. In some

cases, the card can be sent directly to your address.

Please note that before a decision will be made on your application, the Employment and Economic Development Office will first assess whether:

• you have sufficient means of support
• your work will be temporary or continuous
• another individual is available within a reasonable time in Finland or within the EU/EEA to do the work in question

How much will it cost?

The application cost is 410 EUR for the residence permit issued for the delivery of a machine or a system, and 495 EUR for the TTOL.

How long will it take?

The estimated processing time is between 1-6 months for the residence permit issued for the delivery of a machine or a system and 2-6 months for the TTOL.

Refer to Finland's guides to the residence permit application for a delivery of a machine or a system or the residence permit application for an employed person (TTOL) for more information about the application process and eligibility conditions.

Independent professional

Please note: The independent professional category is covered under CETA, but does not exist under Finnish law. There are no specific work permit or visa options for a Canadian independent professional for investment purposes seeking temporary entry into Finland. If you have encountered problems entering Finland as an independent professional, please contact enquiry-demande.TE@international.gc.ca.

Do I qualify as an independent professional under CETA?

Under CETA, an independent professional is a self-employed Canadian service supplier with a contract to supply a service to a consumer in Finland in an eligible sector. A list of eligible services sectors under CETA is found under CETA Annex 10-E, number 9.

A Canadian independent professional must also have:

• at least 6 years of professional experience in the sector of the contracted activity at the date of application of entry
• a university degree or equivalent qualification
• any professional qualifications required to practice the activity, according to the laws or requirements in Finland

For engineering technologists seeking entry as an independent professional, a 3-year post-secondary degree from an officially recognised institution in engineering technology is considered equivalent to a university degree.

For scientific technologists seeking entry as an independent professional, a 3-year post-secondary degree from an officially recognised institution in the disciplines of agriculture, architecture, biology, chemistry, physics, forestry, geology, geophysics, mining and energy is considered equivalent to a university degree.

Other requirements:

• a Canadian independent professional must not have established an enterprise in Finland
• fulfillment of the contract must require the temporary presence of the independent professional in Finland

Under CETA, a Canadian independent professional can stay in Finland for a total period of up to 12 months in a 24-month period, or for the duration of the contract, whichever is less. Extensions are possible at the discretion of Finland's officials.

Do I need a work permit or a visa as an independent professional under CETA?

Under CETA, a Canadian independent professional may need a work permit and a visa.

This category does not exist under Finnish law. However, an independent professional could apply for a residence permit for entrepreneurs. This permit is granted for up to 2 years and can be extended. Dependents can accompany you and have the right to work.

Alternatively, you may also seek entry using the residence permit issued for the delivery of a machine or a system or the residence permit application for an employed person (TTOL)

Am I eligible for a residence permit for entrepreneurs?

Under Finnish law, in order to be eligible for a residence permit for entrepreneurs, you must have set up a business in Finland and be employed in this business in one of the following scenarios:

• as a private entrepreneur in an individually owned business
• as a partner in a general partnership
• as a general partner in a limited partnership
• as a member of a cooperative with an unlimited liability for refinancing (registered in the trade register)
• as a shareholder in a managerial position in a limited-liability company, or a manager working in another type of company who personally owns at least 30% of the company's share capital or personally has at least 30% of the number of votes produced by the company's shares, or as a manager in another type of company with similar authority in the company concerned

How do I apply for a residence permit for entrepreneurs?

Step 1: Submit an online application.

Step 2: Verify supporting documents and take biometrics at a Finnish embassy.

Step 3: Receive a partial decision by the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and Environment (ELY Centre).

Step 4: Receive a final decision by the Finnish Immigration Service.

How much will it cost?

The application cost is 490 EUR.

How long will it take?

The estimated application processing time is 7-11 months.

For more information about the application process and eligibility conditions refer to residence permit application for an entrepreneur.

Intra-corporate transferee

Do I qualify as an intra-corporate transferee under CETA?

Under CETA, Canadian intra-corporate transferees are senior personnel, specialists, or graduate trainees at a Canadian enterprise who are being temporarily transferred to a subsidiary, branch, or head company of the Canadian enterprise in Finland.

Senior personnel are Canadian business people in a senior position within an enterprise who:

• primarily direct the management of the enterprise or a department or sub-division of the enterprise
• make a wide range of decisions, including recruitment, promotions and dismissals
• receive only general supervision or direction principally from higher-level executives, the board of directors, or stockholders of the business or their equivalent or supervise and control the work of other supervisory, professional or managerial employees and exercise discretionary authority over day-to-day operations

Specialists are Canadian business people who have:

• uncommon knowledge of the enterprise's products or services and its application in international markets, or
• an advanced level of expertise or knowledge of the enterprise's processes and procedures such as its production, research equipment, techniques, or management

In assessing such expertise or knowledge, Finland's officials will consider abilities that are unusual and different from those generally found in a particular industry and that cannot be easily transferred to another business person in the short-term. These abilities are obtained through specific academic qualifications or extensive experience with the enterprise.

Graduate trainees are Canadian business people who:

• have a university degree
• are being temporarily transferred to an enterprise in Finland for career development purposes, or to obtain training in business techniques or methods

An intra-corporate transferee graduate trainee cannot be employed by a non-profit organization.

Canadian senior personnel and specialists can stay in Finland for whichever is shorter, 3 years or the length of the contract, with a possible extension of up to 18 months at the discretion of Finland's officials.

Canadian graduate trainees can stay in Finland for whichever is shorter, 1 year or the length of the contract.

Do I need a work permit or a visa as an intra-corporate transferee under CETA?

Under CETA, a Canadian intra-corporate transferee may need a work permit and a visa

Canadian intra-corporate transferees should apply for an EU Intra-Corporate Transferees (ICT) permit. The main advantage of this permit is that it allows intra-corporate transferees to work in other EU countries (for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period per country) based on an ICT notification, without obtaining a work permit. This permit also grants intra-corporate transferees the right to work at a client site.

This permit can be valid for up to 3 years (for managers and specialists) and 1 year (for graduate trainees).

Alternatively, intra-corporate transferee managers and specialists can also qualify for a specialist permit, which has significantly shorter processing times.

For trainees, a separate internship permit category can be applicable. For more information application process and eligibly requirement for the internship permit, refer to the residence permit application for internship.

Am I eligible for an EU Intra-Corporate Transferee permit?

Under Finnish law, in order to be eligible for an EU Intra-Corporate Transferees permit, you must:

• live and reside outside the EU
• have seniority of at least 3 months with the Canadian company or corporate group
• plan to stay in Finland for more than 90 days
• be acting in an entity in Finland that belongs to the same company or corporate group as your Canadian entity
• be acting as a manager, specialist or trainee in Finland
• have a salary in line with other individuals in your role or occupation

How do I apply for an EU Intra-Corporate Transferees permit?

Step 1: Submit an application using the online portal.

Step 2: Verify documents and take biometrics at the Finnish consular post.

Step 3: Receive notification approval.

Step 4: Collect your residence card at the Finnish consular post. In some cases, the card can be sent directly to your address.

How much will it cost?

The EU Intra-Corporate Transferees permit costs 410 EUR.

For more information on these application processes refer to Finland's guide to the EU Intra-Corporate Transferees permit.

Alternative route: specialist permit

Canadian investors or intra-corporate transferee managers and specialists could also apply for a specialist permit.

The permit is issued to persons employed as part of middle or top management of a company or in roles that require special expertise.

This permit can be valid for up to 2 years.

Am I eligible for a specialist permit?

In order to be eligible for the specialist permit, you must:

• be going to Finland to perform work requiring special expertise (with confirmed employment)
• have a higher education degree or otherwise prove expertise by other means is
• have a monthly gross income of at least 3,000 EUR

How do I apply for a specialist permit?

Step 1: Submit an application using the online portal.

Step 2: Verify documents and take biometrics at the Finnish consular post.

Step 3: Receive notification approval.

Step 4: Collect your residence card at the Finnish consular post. In some cases, the card can be sent directly to your address.

How much will it cost?

The specialist permit costs 410 EUR.

For more information refer to Finland's guide to the specialist residence permit application.

What if I am a business person from a category that is not covered?

Entry into Finland for Canadian business people not belonging to any of the categories covered under the CETA is subject to Finland's acts and regulations governing entry and stay.

To explore other paths for entry into Finland, please consult Finland's official visa portal.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is current as of July 2023 (national immigration legislations may change, sometimes at short notice). It is offered for informational purposes only and does not constitute general legal advice. The information: (i) must be regarded as a practical guide for general information and not a process guide for determining the specific immigration requirements of the countries covered, (ii) should not be a substitute for a more in-depth analysis of applicable facts and circumstances (including, without limitation, criminal or health-related circumstances) conducted by competent professionals, (iii) indicated processing times and fees herein are approximate, are subject to the specific case circumstances, and  change. The information herein does not guarantee the outcome or approval of any particular immigration application.