Registration instructions for Finnish citizens

If you are a Finnish citizen and you have online banking codes, a mobile certificate or a smart ID card, you can start your job search in the E-services.

If you cannot acces the E-services, please register following these instructions:

  • Registering as an unemployed jobseeker involves several stages. Go through all the stages carefully to keep your job search valid. If your job search is interrupted, your entitlement to unemployment benefits ends.
  • Based on your registration, the TE Office will issue a labour policy statement on whether you are entitled to an unemployment benefit.
  • Register as a jobseeker no later than on your first day of unemployment. You can also register before the period of unemployment or lay-off begins.
  • You can also register after the start of your unemployment or lay-off. However, please note that you can only receive unemployment benefits starting no earlier than the date of registration.
  • Note! On a temporary basis, entrepreneurs can also register as jobseekers and apply for labour market subsidy due to a sudden decrease in demand caused by the coronavirus epidemic.The law is in force until 31.3.2021.

1. Log in to the E-services for personal customers.

Log in to our online services using your online banking codes, a mobile certificate or a smart ID.

  • E-services (Currently available only in Finnish and Swedish)

2. Fill in the requested information carefully

Check that your contact information is up to date. It is important that the TE Office can contact you if necessary.

Report any changes that you are aware of, such as employment relationships or studies beginning in the following three months. However, report only changes that are fully confirmed.

Enter your work history. Please complete the employment end dates and reasons. Also mention your previous or current entrepreneurial activities in your work history. Incomplete information may need to be checked by means of a clarification request or by telephone, which will prolong the processing of your case.

Complete your education history and study completion dates. You must also report incomplete studies for which you do not have a diploma or a notice of discontinuation of studies. Please note that after registration, you will no longer be able to change the work history or education information you have provided.

Remember to also report working as a family caregiver or being self-employed (such as freelance work). If necessary, use the Additional information field.

You must indicate from which agency you apply for the unemployment benefit. If you are a member of an unemployment fund and the employment condition is met, you apply for a benefit from your fund. Otherwise, the benefit is paid by Kela. The TE Office issues a labour policy statement to the payer regarding your right to unemployment benefit.

After submitting the registration, you will receive an acknowledgement of reception that will include the information you submitted, the period for which your job search is valid and instructions on how to proceed. Read it carefully.

If necessary, our service specialists will provide you with instructions in the E-services chat.

3. Assessment of service needs

If you are a Finnish citizen and your job search situation will not change within the following three months, you will next be directed to assess your service needs in the E-services.

Respond to the service needs assessment immediately or at the latest within two working days of registration. If you do not respond to the service needs assessment by the given deadline, your job search will be discontinued.

Based on your answers, we will evaluate which services are most suitable for you.

4. Employment plan

If you are assigned to compose a plan, it must be drafted or approved within seven working days after you have made a service needs assessment. If you do not prepare or approve the plan by the deadline, your job search will be interrupted.

In your employment plan, describe your situation, your goals and any obstacles to finding a job. It is also possible that you will receive a proposal for a plan, or the plan shall be prepared together with an expert from the TE Office.

Remember to notify us in the E-services of the implementation of the tasks listed in your employment plan by the required deadline. The deadlines are shown in your plan. Failure to carry out tasks may result in a discontinuation of the unemployment benefit.

Employment plan

5. Apply for unemployment benefit from the payer

If you are about to become unemployed or laid off, or your employment is reduced to a shortened work week, read more on the following page:

If you are a member of an unemployment fund and your employment condition is met, apply for unemployment benefit from the fund of which you are a member. Otherwise, apply for unemployment benefit from Kela. The TE Services will notify them of your entitlement to unemployment benefit.

Note the following

  • We try to process your registration within 14 days.
  • You do not need to send attachments. If required, we will request any attachments such as diplomas and certificates of employment.
  • If your employment relationship has ended during a trial period or at your own request, or if you have been dismissed, the TE Office will submit a clarification request to you. You will receive the information in the E-services and by post or text message.
  • If necessary, the TE Office will request additional information on your studies or entrepreneurship by means of a clarification request. You will receive the information in the E-services and by post or text message.
  • To speed up the processing, respond to any requests for information in the E-services. The response time is 14 days. The clarification request will be processed within 30 days of your response.
  • You can monitor the progress of your situation in the E-services. You will also find your statement there when it is ready.
  • If necessary, contact the TE Office via E-services. Registrations will be processed in the order of arrival, so a request to contact you will not speed up your processing.

Registration instructions for persons who cannot register in the e-services

If you do not have online banking codes, a mobile certificate or a smart ID card, you can register using an online form, by phone or at a local TE Office.

  • Based on your registration, the TE Office will issue a labour policy statement on whether you are entitled to an unemployment benefit.
  • Register as a jobseeker no later than on your first day of unemployment. You can also register before the period of unemployment or lay-off begins.
  • You can also register after the start of your unemployment or lay-off. However, please note that you can only receive unemployment benefits starting no earlier than the date of registration.
  • Note! On a temporary basis, entrepreneurs can also register as jobseekers and apply for labour market subsidy due to a sudden decrease in demand caused by the coronavirus epidemic. The law is in force until 31.3.2021.

1. Registration options

If you cannot log into E-services, you can still register online using the following registration form:

(Note! The form does not work in Internet Explorer)

If you are unable to fill out the form but have previously been a customer of the TE Office, you can also register in the telephone service

If you are a new jobseeker and you do not have the opportunity to complete the online form, visit the TE Office in person. Take a valid identity card with you.

2. The TE Office will contact you

TE Office will contact you to prepare a service needs assessment and an employment plan. You will be contacted by telephone or letter. A service needs assessment and employment plan can be made with you either by telephone or at the TE Office.

3. Apply for unemployment benefit from the payer

If you are about to become unemployed or laid off, or your employment is reduced to a shortened work week, read more on the following page:

If you are a member of an unemployment fund and your employment condition is met, apply for unemployment benefit from the fund of which you are a member. Otherwise, apply for unemployment benefit from Kela. The TE Services will notify them of your entitlement to unemployment benefit.

Note the following

  • We try to process your registration within 14 days.
  • You do not need to send attachments. If required, we will request any attachments such as diplomas and certificates of employment.
  • If your employment relationship has ended during a trial period or at your own request, or if you have been dismissed, the TE Office will submit a clarification request to you. You will receive the information by post.
  • If necessary, the TE Office will request additional information on your studies or entrepreneurship by means of a clarification request. You will receive the information by post.
  • Respond to any requests for information in writing. The response time is 14 days. The clarification request will be processed within 30 days of your response. You will receive a notification of the statement by post when it is completed.