A JOB MARKET WITHOUT BORDERS

An agreement was signed between the Nordic countries in 1954 to offer free movement of labour in the region. The agreement assured Nordic citizens the right to travel in Nordic countries without a passport and to be able to live and work in another Nordic country without a work or residency permit as well as working in that country with the same work conditions as a national. The agreement also specifies the extent of social security offered when moving from one Nordic country to another and how it applies to the individual.

Labour legislation laws are applicable regardless of nationality. Employment security, salary, working hours, annual leave and safety at work are in accordance to the laws of the country you are working in. In any case you should always have a written contract stating the start date and details of the employment.

For some occupational groups the vocational diplomas taken in another country may require registration and acknowledgement. Degree certificates held by EEA citizens are recognized in Finland. In Finland regulations of validity can be requested from the   National Board of Education. Acknowledgment and registration of diplomas can be a time consuming process, so be prepared.

The Murmansk area of Russia joined the Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian labour market co-operation in the North Calotte region in 1992 and nowadays the contact with the Murmansk area has been quite lively. There are especially many Russians workers working in northern Norway. Deviating from the normal practice of the Nordic countries, travelers to and from Russia require a passport and visa as well as the mandatory work and residency permit.

Occupational acknowledgement

Sweden

Högskoleverket, foreign academic studies evaluation: www.hsv.se

Verket för högskoleservice (VHS), foreign upper-secondary school evaluation for the eligibility of higher education:  www.vhs.se

Socialstyrelsen (SoS), evaluation of foreign diplomas in healthcare studies: www.sos.se

Statens Jordbruksverk (SJV), the validation of foreign diplomas for veterinarians: www.sjv.se

Sjöfartsverket, evaluation of the foreign studies of maritime officers: www.sjofartsverket.se

Luftfartsverket (LFV), evaluation of aviation studies: www.luftfartsinspektionen.se

Norway

Samordna opptak, foreign upper-secondary school evaluation for the eligibility of higher education:  www.so.uio.no

Utdannings- og forskningsdepartementet:  www.odin.dep.no/ufd

Statens autorisasjonskontor för helsepersonell, validation of foreign healthcare diplomas: www.helsetilsynet.no.safh

Russia

Russian Ministry of Education: www.ed.gov.ru

Information regarding residency and work permits and the acknowledgement of diplomas for foreigners in Russia.

As a foreigner staying in Russia you require a single or multi entry visa, which states the duration of your stay. The visa may be applied for at the Russian Consulate. If your stay is longer than 3 days you must fill out an arrivals form in Russia, this registration is the basis for your residency in the country.

In order to work in Russia all foreigners require a work permit, which the employer must apply for from the local employment office. If a Russian applicant cannot fill the vacant position, then the Ministry of Labour will issue a work permit and a statement specifying the reason a foreigner filled the position.  Further information can be found e.g. at the www-pages of the Ministry of Labour in Murmansk.