Welcome Office - Information and Guidance
Are you new in Finland?
Welcome Office provides information in several languages on matters such as immigration, public services, Finnish society, language courses, working life and leisure activities.
We provide general guidance and give advise on how you can settle in Vaasa on a step by step basis.
Our low-threshold service is free of charge and our drop-in service does not require an appointment. We can also advise by phone, email or chat.
NOTE! Welcome Office is closed on Wednesday 9.4.2025.
Whatever your question or matter: Welcome, free of charge!
You can get advice and help with:
- official paper work & applications
- making appointments
- immigration matters
- working life
- public and government services and the Finnish society
- language courses
- education and training possibilities
- day care
- social and health care services
- housing
- leisure activities
Arabic | العربية
Note! Arabic guidance is closed for the time being.
Tel: 040 1397290
Drop in:
Tuesday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Every odd week)
Wednesday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Book an appointment to an Arabic speaking advisor (to the service point or online on MS Teams).
English
Note! No English speaking service on Wednesdays for the time being.
Week 17 there is no guidance in English.
Tel: 040 569 6046
Drop in:
Monday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Book an appointment to an English speaking advisor (to the service point or online on MS Teams).
Finnish | suomi
Tel: 040 569 6046
Drop in:
Monday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Book an appointment to a Finnish speaking advisor (to the service point or online on MS Teams).
Russian | РУССКИЙ
Внимание! 9.4.2025 консультант недоступен, но вместо этого будет доступен в понедельник 7.4.2025.
Note! 9.4.2025 Russian service is not available, but instead on Monday 7.4.2025.
Tel: 040 487 3649
Drop in:
Tuesday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Book an appointment to a Russian speaking advisor (to the service point or online on MS Teams).
Swedish | svenska
Note! No Swedish speaking service on Wednesdays for the time being.
Tel: 040 569 6046
Drop in:
Monday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Book an appointment to a Swedish speaking advisor (to the service point or online on MS Teams).
Ukrainian | УКРАЇНСЬКА
Увага! 9.4.2025 Українськомовний консультант недоступний, але замість цього буде доступний у понеділок 7.4.2025.
Note! 9.4.2025 Ukrainian service is not available, but instead on Monday 7.4.2025.
Tel: 040 487 3649
Drop in:
Tuesday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Booking an interpreter to the guidance
If we do not offer service in your language, and you cannot manage in easy English, Finnish or Swedish, we will try to book an interpreter for you. Book a 45 minute guidance session, atleast 2 weeks prior, and we will try to have the interpreter either on telephone or in person.
Book a 45 min appointment to an advisor and write in what language you wish to have interpreting. You can also contact welcome.office@vaasa.fi.
Welcome Office schedule and broschure
Welcome Office broschure is printable for e.g. customers at different services. welcome_office_broschure_2024
What is Welcome Office? Watch our video on City of Vaasa Youtube -channel.
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Are you moving to Vaasa? On InfoFinland.fi pages you will find useful information on steps to take when you move to Finland.
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Information about Finland and Vaasa in many languages. Find information on e.g. moving to Finland, residence permits, working life, housing, education, health care services and free time.
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Did you know that on the streets of Vaasa, every fifth passerby is a student? Get to know more about Vaasa as a student city and find information about studies, jobs, living and student life in Vaasa.
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General upper secondary education and vocational training in Vaasa.
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Basic education begins the year the child turns 7 years of age. Education in Vaasa is in Finnish, Swedish or English languages.
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Daycare and preschool for children (0 - 6 years of age) in Finnish, Swedish or English.
