Perhe Suomeen

"For those who travel for love, a thousand miles feels like one."
(Japanese saying)

The right to a residence permit

Your close relatives have the right to apply for a residence permit for Finland if you already reside in the country. Permits are usually given to members of the immediate family. In some cases permits are also granted to other close relatives. Members of the immediate family include:

• husband or wife
• common-law partner
• registered partner
• unmarried children under 18 years of age whose guardian is the person living in Finland.

The Finnish Immigration Service’s website explains in more detail who, according to the law, is a family member. Note that different regulations apply to EU nationals!

People who apply for a residence permit based on family ties, should usually have a secure income.

Applying for a residence permit

The first application for a residence permit is usually lodged at a Finnish Embassy in the country of residence of the applicant prior to them entering Finland. A close relative who is a resident in Finland can apply for a residence permit on behalf of a family member that lives abroad. Close relatives can leave applications with the local police. Application forms are available from the police in Finland and from the Finnish Embassies abroad.

Often the applicant must wait for the decision abroad. In some cases, however, a family member will be allowed to enter Finland and apply for a residence permit only after their arrival in Finland, if family life has already begun abroad. Strict rules apply to this procedure, however. Family members of Finnish citizens can also delay their application for a residence permit until they have entered Finland.

Further information

The website for the Finnish Immigration Service (maahanmuuttovirasto) has more information on the topic in the following languages:

English
Finnish
Swedish