Support for Integration
Integration Services support you when you begin your life in Finland. We help with everyday matters, official services and navigating Finnish society. We offer advice, guidance and services that promote integration for individuals and groups. Our goal is to help you get a good start in your new home country.
You can receive support from Integration Services if you:
- have come to Finland as a quota refugee
- have received a residence permit as an asylum seeker
- receive temporary protection
- have come to Finland as a family member of one of the above-mentioned persons
- receive home care allowance, and it has been less than three years since your arrival in Finland and the registration of your right of residence
If you have moved to Finland for any other reason, you can receive guidance and advice from Welcome Office.
Integration Services help you during the early stages of your integration in Finland.
- You receive information about Finnish society
- You learn how to take care of everyday and official matters
- You receive both individual and group support
- We also offer training in societal orientation
- You can choose Finnish or Swedish as your integration language
Visiting us in person
Office address: Korsholmsesplanaden 44, 5th floor
Opening hours without appointment:
• Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9:00–15:00
• Wednesday and Friday 9:00–12:00
Service by e-mail
kotouttamispalvelut@vaasa.fi
Service by phone
+358 40 353 3577
Choose your situation below to find the right service and contact information.
Jobseekers
You must register as a jobseeker electronically in the Job Market Finland service.
If you cannot use electronic identification, register in person at Vasa Employment Services.
After registering, you will be invited to an initial interview. Employment Services will prepare an integration plan or an employment plan for you, and you will be guided to services that support your integration and employment if needed.
An integration plan is a personal plan made at the start of the integration process. The aim is to support your integration, language learning and future employment. The plan is created when there is a need for integration-supporting services.
Read more:
Employment Services contact information | Vaasa
Employment Services | Vaasa
Private Customers – Job Market Finland
Home parents and seniors
An integration plan is a personal plan that supports your integration into Finland.
If you are not an unemployed jobseeker, your integration plan is prepared by Integration Services. When creating the plan, we discuss which services best support your language learning and integration, taking your life situation into account.
As a home parent or senior, you can participate in group activities offered by Integration Services, such as societal orientation courses. Childcare is provided in the home parents’ groups to make participation easier. Seniors can join the same courses, and their needs are taken into consideration in the teaching groups.
International students and employees
If you have moved to Vaasa for studies or work, you will receive advice and guidance primarily from Welcome Office.
Welcome Office:
- helps with everyday matters and finding the right services
- supports with official and administrative matters
- provides guidance on health services
- gives advice on housing, banking, insurance and leisure activities
Welcome Office provides services in Finnish, Swedish, English, Ukrainian, Russian and Arabic. An interpreter is available when needed.
Welcome Office also supports family members of students and employees.
You can visit without an appointment during walk-in hours or book a time in advance.
More information, address and opening hours are available on the Welcome Office website:
Welcome Office – information and advice for newcomers in Finland | Vaasa
Societal Orientation
Societal Orientation is a free course covering important aspects of living in Finland, such as housing, education, job search, health services, finances and dealing with authorities. The course helps you understand Finnish society, laws, culture, values and public services. Lessons include both teaching and independent assignments.
The employment authority or your municipality registers you for the course.
The course consists of 70 lessons and is organised in a language you understand well whenever possible. It is an essential part of integration required by law and supports your participation in Finnish working life and society.
There is currently a waiting list for the course, so you may need to wait before starting. You will receive a certificate when you have completed the course.
Interpretation Duty
The Interpretation Duty at Integration Services is intended for handling short matters.
You handle issues primarily in person at Integration Services.
You can come to the Interpretation Duty, for example, with letters you have received at home.
If necessary, you can book a separate appointment for longer matters.
The Interpretation Duty timetable and language groups are as follows:
Mondays: Tigrinya 13:00–14:00
Tuesdays: Kurdish/Persian 12:00–14:00 and Russian 14:00–15:00
Thursdays: Arabic 13:00–15:00
Fridays: Russian 9:00–10:00
For more information, contact Integration Services Info, tel. 040 353 3577.
Kaikukortti
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