District Police Departments

Contact information

Self-employment



A new fixed-term residence permit for self-employment (extended permits) is issued by the police department of the foreign national's place of residence. The permit is applied for in writing using the dedicated form. The first permit is issued by the Finnish Immigration Service.

Residence permits for self-employment involve a partial decision by the Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Economy (ELY Centre). After the partial decision by the ELY Centre, the final decision on the residence permit is made by the police. The permit application should be submitted in good time before the previous permit expires.

The police issues a new fixed-term residence permit if the criteria on which the previous fixed-term residence permit was granted to a foreign national remain valid.

As attachments to your application, your will need:

  • a residence permit application form for self-employment (OLE_EHA)
  • a copy of your passport (passport to be produced when applying for the permit)
  • a photograph Photograph guidelines
  • information on business premises (attach rental agreement etc.)
  • certificate of a self-employed persons competence
  • information on the applicant's income (official Profit and Loss Statement and Balance Sheet)
  • information on employment impacts of the enterprise (probable number of employees required)
  • trade register extract of the business
The Finnish Immigration Service/Residence permit application forms

You can also apply for a residence permit via the online service.

For citizens of EU member states and similar, a residence permit for self-employment is not required.





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