Registration instructions for Finnish citizens

If you become unemployed or are laid off, register as a job seeker as soon as possible. The registration can be made in advance before the unemployment or lay-off begins. However, do so no later than on your first day of unemployment, because you can only receive an unemployment benefit from the registration date.

You can register as unemployed in the ‘E-services' section of Job Market Finland. If you do not have online banking codes, a mobile certificate or a smart ID card, you can register as a job seeker at your regional employment service office.

On Job Market Finland's regional pages you can read more about the transfer of employment services to municipalities and how you should handle matters in the future. The regional pages also contain contact information provided by employment officials.

Log into the service

Log into the service using your online banking codes, a mobile certificate, or a smart ID card.

Fill in the requested information carefully

• Verify that your contact information is correct. It is important that the employment official can contact you.
• Report any changes that you are aware of, such as your employment relationships or studies beginning in the following three months. Report only changes that are fully confirmed.
• Describe your employment history. Please complete the employment end dates and reasons. Also mention your possible previous or current entrepreneurial activities in your work history. Any incomplete information may need to be checked by means of a request for clarification or by telephone, so the processing of your matter may be delayed if you have not provided the information carefully.
• Report your education history and study completion dates. You must also report incomplete studies for which you do not have a diploma or a notice of discontinuation of studies.
• Answer the questions about the service needs assessment. Based on your answers, the most suitable services will be evaluated for you.
• Remember to also report working as a family caregiver or being self-employed, such as doing freelance work. If necessary, use the ‘Additional information’ field.

Please note that after registration, you will no longer be able to change the work history or education information you have provided.

You must also indicate where you are applying for unemployment security. If you are a member of an unemployment fund and the employment condition is met, you apply for unemployment security from your fund. Otherwise, Kela will pay you an unemployment benefit. The employment official issues a labour policy statement to the payer regarding your entitlement to unemployment security.

Once you have submitted the registration, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt that will include the information you submitted, the period for which your job search is valid and instructions on how to proceed. It states that you will be contacted without delay. Read it carefully. 

Your job search will be valid until further notice after you have received the notification of receipt. 

Service specialists will offer guidance if necessary in the chat of Job Market Finland's 'E-services' section. Currently, the chat service is only available in Finnish.

On Job Market Finland's regional pages you can read more about the transfer of employment services to municipalities and how you should handle matters in the future. The regional pages also contain contact information provided by employment officials.

Note the following matters

• You do not need to send attachments. The employment official will request appendices, such as diplomas and employment certificates, if necessary.
• If your employment relationship has ended during a trial period or at your own request, or if you have been dismissed, the employment official will submit a clarification request to you. You will be notified of this in the ‘E-services' section of Job Market Finland, by mail, or by text message.
• If necessary, the employment official will request additional information on your studies or business activities by means of a clarification request. You will be notified of this in the ‘E-services' section of Job Market Finland, by mail, or by text message.
• Processing is faster if you respond to any clarification requests in the ‘E-services' section of Job Market Finland. The response time is 14 days. The clarification request will be processed within 30 days of your response.
• You can monitor the progress of your situation in the ‘E-services' section of Job Market Finland. You will also find your statement there when it is ready.
• If necessary, submit a contact request through the ‘E-services' section of Job Market Finland. Registrations will be processed in the order of arrival, so a request to contact you will not speed up your processing.

Always actively seek work yourself. When you are a job seeker, be prepared to accept the work or training that your employment service specialist offers you.

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