Guide for the new immigrant client

The Employment and Economic Development Office is known as TE Office.

• TE Office provides information on available jobs, and supports you in job seeking.
• The TE Office also organises Finnish language courses, vocational training and on-the-job training at work places.

How can I become a client of TE Office?  

In order to be eligible for TE Office services, you must be a registered client at the TE Office. Once you are registered as a job seeker, you will be enlisted as a client at the TE Office.

• You can register as a jobseeker at TE Office web site. The address is
  www.mol.fi > Ilmoittaudu työnhakijaksi
• After this you must visit the TE Office personally as soon as possible.

When you visit the TE Office for the first time, please bring the following documents with you:

• passport or a certificate issued by the police indicating temporary seizure of passport
• residence permit or a registering certificate of EU citizen of a right of residence issued by the police
• extract from the population information system in Finland issued at the local register office or a document, which proves that you have a Finnish personal identification number (for example a Kela card)
• job, school, and study certificates and diplomas translated into Finnish, Swedish, or English.

How do I maintain a valid client status at TE Office?

You will maintain a client status at TE Office by being regularly in touch with TE Office.

When you will visit at TE Office for the first time, you will receive a client card. A date will be written in your client card, by which you must contact the TE Office the following time. You can contact the office by visiting or making a phone call.

You may also receive an invitation to visit the TE Office at another time. You must be present at the appointed time, indicated in the invitation.

What happens, when I have been registered as a jobseeker?

When you move to Finland, you can apply for services that will support your integration.

Early stage services include:

• basic information about Finland and your municipality of residence,
• advice and guidance,
• initial assessment,
• an integration plan, and
• integration training.

You can ask for an initial assessment from the employment and economic development office or the municipality. The initial assessment is a discussion with the authorities to establish your situation and, accordingly, your need for services. The initial assessment may include testing your language proficiency and an assessment of your skills.

After the initial assessment, you may be offered integration training or other language studies, or you may receive assistance in looking for a job.

An integration plan is an agreement on integration training, for example taking part in a language course, on-the-job training or other activities that promote integration.

The plan is drawn up together between you and an official of the employment and economic development office or the municipality. It may be drawn up if the initial assessment shows that you need support in your integration. The duration of the integration plan is individual. Your work and educational history and personal goals will play a role in how long you will need support.

While you are taking part in measures under the integration plan, you are entitled to integration assistance to ensure that you have a means of support.

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