Finland Family Visa Requirements, Application And FAQs

Third-country nationals with family members in Finland are eligible to apply for a Finland family visa. The majority of residence applications are based on family ties; nonetheless, it’s critical to understand who counts as a family member and how to apply for a family visa in Finland.

Who Can Get a Finland Family Visa?

A Finland family visa is given to immediate family members of either Finnish citizens or to those who hold a residence permit. The definition of who is considered to be an immediate family member varies from country to country. In Finland it is:

• A spouse.
• A registered partner.
• A cohabiting partner.
• A legal guardian (in the case where the applicant is a child under 18).
• A child.

In specific cases, a visa can be issued to someone you are dating on the basis of an intimate relationship.

When you apply for your family visa you need to specify whether your sponsor is your legal spouse, your child, or your parent/legal guardian.

Finland Family Visa Requirements

These are the family visa requirements for Finland:

• Your passport must be valid and up-to-date at the time of your application and during your entire stay in Finland. An outdated passport will not be accepted and you won’t receive a visa.
• Form PK1_plus – This form needs to be filled in and signed by your sponsor in Finland and then sent to you, so that you can attach it to the rest of the application.
• Identity picture – You have to attach a recent identity picture to your application, you have to follow the guidelines as set by the Schengen visa photo rules.
• Copy of your passport’s bio page – You must also have a separate copy of the bio page in your passport.
• Copy of your sponsor’s passport bio page – Your spouse needs to provide you with a copy of their passport’s bio page so that you can attach it to your application.
• Civil documents – Civil status documents must be recent and valid from your country of residence. These documents include:
• Birth certificates.
• Marriage license.
• Divorce license (if you and your spouse were divorced once and now are married again).
• Certificate of registered partnership.
• Certificate of dissolved partnership (if you and your partner dissolved your partnership and registered again).
• Death certificate (if you or your spouse/partner are widowers).
• Adoption papers – If the application deals with a child that was adopted.
• Proof of financial stability – If you move to Finland, you must present proof that you can financially support yourself. If your spouse or partner is paying for your stay, you must present their income statement. The size of the family determines financial stability; the requirements varies for each application.
• Document proving your place of residence. You also need to provide a certificate proving that you are legally residing in your current country.
• Certificate of good standing – This is a certificate that is usually issued by civil courts which proves that you are not under investigation and that there are no criminal charges against you.
  Employment contract – If you are by any chance employed in Finland then you must provide a copy of your employment contract.
• Proof of your spouse’s financial state – You also need to provide these documents:
• Your spouse’s/partner’s bank statements from the last six months.
• Copies of your spouse’s/partner’s recent tax card, tax decision, and tax return.
• Documents related to your spouse’s/partner’s business, such as business license, income sheet, bank statements, number of employees, etc.
• Documents related to your spouse’s/partner’s pension.
• Documents related to other income assets.
• Certificate of paternity – If you are applying to reunite with your child in Finland, or you are applying at the same time with your child, you need to provide a paternity certificate in cases where the child was born out of wedlock.
• Letter of consent -If a minor is applying to reunite with a parent/legal guardian while the other parent/legal guardian is in another country a letter of consent is obligatory.

Finland Family Visa on the Basis of Cohabiting Partners

If you apply for a visa regarding a cohabiting partner you also need to meet these extra requirements:

• Proof of cohabiting – You and your partner must provide evidence that you have been in a committed relationship for the past two years. This could be a rental arrangement or a property that is owned. You will not be granted a visa if you and your partner live in different places and only spend time together during the holidays.
• Not married – You also need to submit proof that you and your partner are not married to someone else.
• Joint custody – If you and your partner share custody of a child, you must produce proof, such as the child’s birth certificate or family certificate. If you have joint custody of your child, you will not be needed to present evidence of two years of living together.
• Weighty reasons – If you do not fit the standard conditions for granting a visa based on cohabiting partners, you can argue your case for a residence permit. The embassy reviews these matters on an individual basis.

Finland Family Visa on the Basis of Intimate Relationship

The person you are dating is not considered to be a family member, however, if you want to apply for a family visa you can do so on the grounds of an intimate relationship. Here are the requirements you need to meet in this case:

• Financial stability – You must provide evidence that you can finance your stay in Finland on your own. Usually, for an adult, it’s required to have €1,000 in a personal bank account for living expenses.
• A written statement about your relationship – You need to provide a letter where you explain the nature of your relationship and why you want to move to Finland.
• Verification of pregnancy – If one reason why you want to move together is pregnancy then you must provide a certificate of pregnancy.

When to Apply for a Family Reunion Visa?

If your sponsor is a Finnish citizen or resident, you can apply anytime you are ready and have obtained all of the necessary paperwork. You may also apply concurrently with your sponsor’s application for a residence permit.

How Do I Apply for a Family Finland Visa?

This is how you apply for a Finland Family Visa:

• Prepare all your documents.
• Apply for the visa.
• Go to a local Finnish mission.
• Wait for an answer.
• Go to Finland.

Prepare all your documents

Gather all of the required documents for the application and ensure that any required documents are legalized if necessary. Before you begin collecting documents, contact the embassy to obtain a list of criteria and which documents must be legalized. Extra documents may be requested by embassies. If your documents are not in English, Finnish, or Swedish, they must be translated.

Apply for a visa

When you have everything in order, you can apply for a visa. You can apply online using the e-service or in person at a local Finnish mission. In any case, you are the only one who can make the application; your sponsor cannot apply on your behalf, even if you give them permission. If the applicant is a minor, the legal guardian or another person designated by the legal guardian may apply on their behalf.

Go to a local Finnish mission

After submitting your application, you must submit your fingerprints and ID at your local embassy/consulate. Please provide the original documents you attached to the online application.

You can fill out the paper application and attach your documents in person. A representative from the embassy may interview you about your relationship with the sponsor. Even if your child is young, bring them if you applied for them. You must pay the service charge for both online and in-person applications at a Finnish embassy.

Wait for an answer

A Finland family visa typically takes 2 to 9 months to process. The online service will be processed faster than the paper application. If something is missing from your application, the processing period will be extended, so be sure you have everything when you submit your paperwork the first time.

Go to Finland

After your application has been processed and you receive a positive answer, the Immigration Office will send your residence card to the embassy. You can pick it up and then you can depart for Finland whenever you are ready. After you arrive you must register at a local registration office.

Supplementing Your Visa Application

In cases where the embassies suspect dubious relationships you may be asked to provide proof of family ties:

• DNA test – In order to determine the biological connection between the sponsor and the applicant.
• Age test – This is done when there are suspicions about the age of the applicant or the sponsor.

The embassies hold the authority to ask for any additional documents.

How Long is the Finland Family Visa Valid?

The first family visa is always valid for 12 months. However, your permit may be valid for up to 4 years, depending on your specific circumstances when you applied for the visa.

Can I Extend a Finland Family Visa?

Yes, you can extend a family visa in Finland. The extension will depend on the type of permit you have:

• If you have a temporary B permit then you can renew your visa every year; afterward, if you want you can switch to a continuous permit.
• If you have a continuous A permit then you have to renew your visa every 4 years.

You can’t utilize the same extension application form if your situation has changed. If you sought for a residence visa based on marriage but are no longer married, you must apply under changed family ties.

Applicants who are no longer married to their sponsor but are working must apply for a new residence permit based on employment. Do so before your residence expires; if it does, you can’t work until the new one is issued. If you filed for your permission under 18, you cannot seek for an extension on the same reasons. Check with an Immigration Office before your residence expires; your residence card will state the date.

Can Family Visa Holders Work in Finland?

Yes. Family members who apply for a family visa in Finland have unrestricted access to the workforce. However, if you have a residence permit on the basis of an intimate relationship then you are restricted in your work.

How Much Does the Finland Family Reunion Visa Cost?

An electronic application costs €470, while a paper application costs €520. You have to pay a fee for your visa renewal as well.

Can I Get Permanent Residence in Finland With a Family Visa?

Yes. You can get permanent residency after you’ve spent five years in Finland under a continuous residency permit.

Can I Get Finland Citizenship With a Family Visa?

After 5 years of living in Finland, you can apply for citizenship. If your spouse is a Finnish citizen the residency period is shortened to four years.