Instructions for foreign visitors

Residence permit

Register at the the Helsinki Immigration Police for the residence permit.
(EU citizens: This is required only if the stay is longer than 3 months. And citizens of the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland) are registered at a Register Office if they stay in Finland longer than six (6) months.)

Contact information of The Immigration Police of Helsinki

More information on residence permits:
Immigration Police
Finnish Immigration Service

Remember to take with you:

• Passport
• Work certificate
• Photos
• Money for the handling fee (click here for more information)

Social security number etc.

Visit the local register office for the notificiation of change of address, for a Finnish social security number and the certificate for the HSL (previously called HKL) personal travel card.

Local register offices - Registration of foreigners in Finland

Contact information of Helsinki register office("Helsingin maistraatti")

Remember to take with you:

• Passport
• Work certificate
• Residence permit from the Immigration Police

Personal travel card

Visit the HSL (Helsinki city transport) for the travel card

Contact information of HSL
More information on the personal travel card

Remember to take with you:

• Passport
• Certificate from Register office for the Personal travel card

Bank account

Open a bank account

Remember to take with you:

• Passport
• Work certificate

Tax card

Apply for a tax card

Tax office ("Verotoimisto")

Contact information

Tax Office in the city center
Vuorikadun palvelupiste
Vuorikatu 14 (Fennia-kortteli 1.krs),
00100 Helsinki

Remember to take with you:

• Passport
• Work certificate

Social security card

Apply for the KELA card (social security card)

How to apply?

Find the nearest KELA office
Remember to take with you:

• Passport

European health insurance card

EU-citizens: The European health insurance card has to be applied for from the original home country.