Frequently Asked Questions

What is my membership fee to the Finnish-Canadian Society used for?

Your membership fee is a contribution to support the activities of the Society: maintaining our website, publishing our twice-yearly newsletter, organizing special events, and supporting other educational and cultural initiatives.

I am a Finn interested in working in Canada. What kind of paperwork and licenses are needed? Do I need a visa? Where can I find the necessary forms?

If you plan to work in Canada, you will need a work permit. Please contact the Canadian Embassy in Helsinki at (09) 228 530 for more detailed information. The Canadian Embassy in Helsinki no longer issues Canadian work permits or visas; these documents are issued by the Canadian High Commission in London. If you contact the Embassy in Helsinki, you may be referred to the offices in London.

Do you know of suitable channels to look for a job in Canada in a specific region or industry?

If you are searching for industry-specific or region-specific information, the first place you can check for jobs is Human Resources Development Canada.

If you want a wider range of choices and links regarding employment in Canada, you can also consult the Canada Site. You should be able to find what you are looking for there.

There are also issues concerning immigration that you should be aware of. More information is available at http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.html

I am studying in Finland at the moment and would like to do my internship in Canada. How can I find a suitable company?

Unfortunately, most students are on their own in this respect. You can ask the International Advisor of the school you are attending for help. Most university and college campuses also have an employment centre, which may be able to advise on these issues. Be aware that many internship opportunities in Canada are non-paying, but that depends on what field of work you are in.

One other alternative is to check with the Centre for International Mobility. They arrange numerous work placements for Finnish students in Canada. The Canadian Embassy website also features information on practical training in Canada (see "Services for Finns").

I am a Finnish teacher and would like to go to Canada on a teacher exchange program. Do you know of an active teacher exchange program between our countries?

If you are working in a polytechnic or a university, there should be someone on staff specifically geared to these issues. Refer to your institution's International Advisor. If you are a teacher in a school, you can find this kind of information through various exchange organizations.

I would like to move to Canada to study there. How can I find a suitable university in a certain region/specific university type?

There are several online sources of information designed for international students. These include, for example, education@canada, Study Canada, and destineducation.ca.

You can also visit the Fulbright Center in Helsinki for information on different Canadian schools. The Fulbright Center has an Academic Specialist who can tell you about studying in Canada.

Do you have sister affiliates of your society in Canada?

No, but there are numerous Finnish-Canadian groups and clubs scattered all over Canada. Please refer to our Links page to access those groups.

My son/daughter is going to Canada to study, where can we find an inexpensive place to stay while visiting him/her there?

Depending on which university or college your son/daughter is attending, there are always on-campus services to help students access inexpensive housing both on and off-campus. Some of the more inexpensive alternatives involve living with other students or boarding with a family.

Where can I find information on Canadian companies present in Finland?

You may want to check at the Canadian Embassy. The Embassy employs a number of people at the office of the Trade Commissioner Service in Helsinki.

I am a Finn marrying a Canadian in Canada. What papers and certificates do I need from Finland to take with me?

You need a passport to prove your identity and citizenship. We recommend that you keep documentation of different facets of your relationship. This would include things such as statements from a joint bank account, proof that you live together (i.e., lease papers or proof of ownership of a house) and even the receipt for your wedding rings!

Also consult with parish representatives of your faith well in advance of the wedding. Please contact the Canadian Embassy in Helsinki to get more concrete advice on what kind of documentation you need.

I am a Canadian marrying a Finn in Finland. What papers and certificates do I need from Canada for the Finnish Church / Civil Registry?

You need a passport to prove your identity and citizenship. You also need an official document indicating that you’re not already married in Canada. We recommend that you keep documentation of different facets of your relationship. Please contact the Embassy of Finland in Ottawa for more information.

I am looking for a Finnish relative in Canada, who emigrated in the 1950s. I know he was living in Windsor, Ontario in the 1970s, but I no longer have his address. Is there any way of tracking him down today?

Canada411 is the one of the best ways to start a search for a person or business on the Internet. The Embassy of Finland also provides information on how to track relatives and ancestors in Canada.

Where can I find out about your charter flights to Canada?

The Finnish-Canadian Society has not offered charter flights since the 1980s. Contact travel agents or airlines directly for flights and prices. Suomi-Seuran Matkatoimisto has traditionally offered charter and other flights to Canada and other countries where Finns have emigrated.