Financial assistance for unemployed immigrants

If you have moved to Finland and are unemployed, register as soon as possible as an unemployed jobseeker with an Employment and Economic Development Office ("TE Office").

The TE Office will issue a so-called labour policy statement to Kela, the purpose of which is to confirm that you are an unemployed jobseeker and eligible for labour market subsidy.

Once you have registered with the TE Office, apply to Kela for labour market subsidy.

Labour market subsidy cannot be paid before the date on which you registered with the TE Office.

Integration assistance for immigrants

As an immigrant, you have the right to an individual integration plan, which is drawn up as a collaborative process between yourself, your municipality of residence and a TE Office.The plan sets out the measures needed to help you integrate into Finnish society and the services designed to assist you in finding work.

An integration plan must be drawn up within three years of when you were first given a residence permit for Finland.The integration plan is drawn up for up to one year at a time.

The duration of the integration plan is decided according to your individual requirements and circumstances.While its maximum duration is three years, it can be extended by up to two years if you need special assistance to achieve integration.Please note that not all immigrants receive an integration plan.

If you have a valid integration plan, your labour market subsidy will be paid to you in the form of integration assistance.It is subject to the same eligibility criteria and payable at the same rate as the labour market subsidy.Also, it is provided on a means-tested basis.

If you are paid integration assistance, you must comply with the terms of the integration plan.If you refuse to participate in the preparation of an integration plan or do not participate in the measures agreed in it, the TE Office may restrict your right to integration assistance.

Apply to Kela for integration assistance just as you would for the labour market subsidy.

Self-motivated study while receiving integration assistance

The educational and training measures set out in the integration plan usually take the form of labour market training for adults.

Additionally, you can be paid integration assistance for self-motivated education and training if your educational needs are recognised by the TE Office and the education or training is considered to support your integration.The education or training must be agreed in your individual integration plan, and the course of study must meet certain conditions. The criteria for receiving financial assistance with education or training are evaluated by the TE Office.

Just like any other jobseekers participating in education or training, immigrants are eligible for a maintenance allowance during a period of self-motivated study.

Updated 10/22/12