Finland Residence Permit on Other Grounds and Right to Work 2026
Restricted work right under an other-grounds permit: specialist, management, international organisations, sports, arts and religious duties.
Short answer
A residence permit on other grounds is not an unrestricted work permit. Migri gives it a restricted right to work. After the permit is granted, work is allowed in specified categories: expert duties requiring special expertise (salary at least EUR 3,937/month in 2026), top/middle management, international organisations or official cooperation between states, professional athlete/coach/referee, professional culture/arts work, and religion-practising duties in a religious community. Work cannot begin before the permit is granted.
1. Which work is allowed?
Checklist
- Specialist/expert duties — 2026 minimum EUR 3,937/month
- Top or middle management
- International organisation / official state cooperation
- Professional athlete, coach or referee
- Professional culture or arts
- Religion-practising duties in a religious community
2. Why it is not unrestricted
Do not move into any employer/job without checking the work right on the permit card and Migri's category list. Ordinary employment outside the allowed categories may require a separate work-based permit.
3. Specialist salary threshold
For expert duties under the other-grounds permit, the job must require special expertise and the 2026 gross salary must be at least Finland's average wage-earner gross earnings: EUR 3,937/month.
Common questions about this topic
Can I work as an ordinary restaurant employee on an other-grounds permit?
The right to work is restricted. If ordinary restaurant work does not fit one of the listed categories, a separate work-based permit may be required; check the permit card and specific case.
Official sources
The following official or public sources were checked for this guide. Current authority instructions always take precedence.
Work Permit in Finland
For employees, specialists and employers who need to prepare a Finnish work-based residence permit file correctly before submission.
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