Work in North Karelia / Töihin Pohjois-Karjalaan

For employers

Have you found an international employee you would like to hire for your company? Or are you considering the possibility of hiring international talent?

There are several questions and responsibilities involved in hiring an international employee that the employer needs to understand and navigate. A job seeker's residence permit affects their right to work. EU citizens and citizens of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are allowed to work without a residence permit, but citizens of other countries need a residence permit.

Employers can look for an international employee in Finland and abroad. Many international talents with different backgrounds live in Finland, for example in North Karelia, and are looking for a job. Some are students seeking traineeships and work experience in the region. The employer does not need to sort out the recruitment process alone: there is a wide range of advice and support available for the recruitment of an international employee.

On this page, you will find important information and tips on recruitment and the right to work. Please note that information can also be found on other websites.

Recruitment advice

The North Karelia region offers help and support for the recruitment of international employees. Local support and advice are also provided by development companies, International House Joensuu and the local employment area, among others. EURES-experts are working for the North-Karelia Employment area.

EURES, the European cooperation network, helps job seekers find jobs and supports employers in recruiting workforce from all over Europe. EURES experts are deployed across all EU and EEA countries, also locally in North Karelia.

Local development companies help businesses to start an international recruitment process. For example, Business Joensuu supports businesses in finding a skilled workforce. Work in Finland also offers help with recruitment.

When an employee moves to Finland, municipal integration services, such as International House Joensuu and private service providers in Joensuu, help with the residence permit process and settling in. Settling-in services help foreigners moving to Finland for work or studies to adapt to their new country of residence. The services are available both before and after the move.

Business Finland’s website contains an extensive and detailed guide to international recruitment in three languages.
 

Applying for a residence permit

The employer must ensure that a foreign employee has the right to work in Finland. EU citizens and citizens of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein are allowed to work without a residence permit. A person’s citizenship can be checked from their passport or identity card.

Citizens of other countries need a residence permit. A worker's right to work can be checked from their residence permit card which is issued based on a decision by the Finnish Immigration Service.

EU citizens must, however, register with the Finnish Immigration Service if they stay in Finland for more than 3 months. Citizens of Nordic countries must register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency if they intend to stay in Finland for more than 6 months. Citizens of other countries must apply for a residence permit from the Finnish Immigration Service before arriving in Finland and register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency after arriving in Finland.

Employers are required to report the hiring of non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens through the Enter Finland service.

Regional and national services

The service information below is sourced from the Suomi.fi online service. If you’d like your service to be featured here, please contact the ELY Centre.

This theme page is maintained by the North Karelia Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre). Cover photo: Tommi Rautio / City of Joensuu.