Finland Family Visa: Requirements and Application Process

Key Takeaways:

• Finland family visa allows immediate family members and intimate partners of residents or citizens to join them.
• Applicants need valid passports, financial proof, civil documents, and sponsor information to apply for the visa.
• The application process includes document preparation, submission, embassy visits, and paying fees; processing takes 2-9 months.

What is a Finland Family Visa and Who Can Apply?

If you have a family member in Finland and you plan to join them, you’ll likely need a Finland family visa. This visa is available for immediate family members of Finnish citizens or residents holding a valid residence permit. In Finland, an immediate family member includes:

– A spouse,
– A registered partner,
– A cohabiting partner,
– A legal guardian (if the applicant is a child under 18),
– A child.

In certain situations, individuals who are in a dating relationship based on intimate ties can also qualify for this visa. When applying for the Finland family visa, you must clearly indicate whether your sponsor in Finland is your legal spouse, child, or parent/legal guardian.

What Are the Requirements for a Finland Family Visa?

To successfully apply for the Finland family visa, various documentation and steps are essential. Below is a comprehensive list of requirements:

1. Valid Passport: Your passport must be current at the time of your application and remain valid during your stay in Finland.
2. Form PK1_plus: Completed and signed by your sponsor in Finland, this form is crucial for your visa application.
3. Identity Picture: Attach a recent identity picture following the Schengen visa photo rules.
4. Copy of Passport Bio Page: Submit a copy of your passport’s bio page.
5. Sponsor’s Passport Bio Page: Include a copy of your sponsor’s passport bio page.
6. Civil Documents: This can include birth certificates, marriage licenses, divorce licenses, registered partnership certificates, adoption papers, and other relevant civil status documents.
7. Proof of Financial Stability: You will need to show documents proving your financial stability. If your spouse or partner is supporting you, their financial documentation is required.
8. Residence Proof: Provide a certificate confirming your legal residence in your current country.
9. Certificate of Good Standing: Obtain this document from civil courts to show no criminal charges or investigations against you.
10. Employment Contract: If you are employed in Finland, provide a copy of your employment contract.
11. Financial Proof from Sponsor: Include your spouse’s or partner’s financial documents such as bank statements, tax returns, business licenses, etc.
12. Certificate of Paternity (if relevant): If applying to reunite with your child in Finland or applying simultaneously with your child, a paternity certificate is needed in cases of out-of-wedlock births.
13. Letter of Consent (if relevant): If a minor is applying to join a parent/legal guardian while the other parent/legal guardian remains in another country, this letter is necessary.

How Do Cohabiting Partners Apply for a Finland Family Visa?

If you are applying for a Finland family visa as a cohabiting partner, you need to meet additional requirements:

1. Proof of Cohabitation: Provide evidence like rental agreements to show that you have lived together in a committed relationship for at least two years.
2. Not Married to Others: You must prove that neither you nor your partner is married to someone else.
3. Joint Custody Evidence (if relevant): If you have joint custody of a child with your partner, provide the child’s birth certificate or family certificate.
4. Weighty Reasons: If you do not meet the general criteria, argue your case for why a visa should be granted. The embassy reviews these on a case-by-case basis.

How to Apply for a Finland Family Visa Based on an Intimate Relationship?

Even if your partner is not legally considered a family member, you can still apply for a Finland family visa based on an intimate relationship. Here’s what you need to prepare:

1. Financial Stability: Show that you can finance your stay in Finland. Generally, an adult needs €1,000 per month in a personal bank account for living expenses.
2. Written Statement About Your Relationship: Explain the nature of your relationship and reasons for moving to Finland in a letter.
3. Verification of Pregnancy: If pregnancy is a reason for your move, provide a certificate of pregnancy.

When Can You Apply for a Family Reunion Visa?

You can apply for the Finland family visa anytime you are ready if your sponsor is already a Finnish citizen or resident. Alternatively, you can apply simultaneously when your sponsor applies for their residence permit.

How to Apply for a Finland Family Visa?

Here is a step-by-step guide to applying for a Finland family visa:

1. Prepare All Necessary Documents: Begin by gathering all required documents. Check with the embassy for any additional documents that might be needed, and ensure translations for non-English, non-Finnish, or non-Swedish documents.
2. Submit Your Application: Apply either online via the e-service or in person at a local Finnish mission. Even a legal guardian can apply on behalf of a minor, but the primary applicant must submit the documents.
3. Visit a Local Finnish Mission: Once your application is submitted, visit your local embassy or consulate to submit your fingerprints and prove your identity. Bring original documents even for online applications and prepare for a possible interview related to your relationship with the sponsor.
4. Pay the Service Fee: Be prepared to pay the service fee for your application.

How Long Does It Take to Process a Finland Family Visa?

The processing time for a Finland family visa ranges from 2 to 9 months. Online applications generally process faster than paper ones. To avoid delays, ensure that all required documents are included and complete.

What Happens After Approval?

Once your application is approved, the Immigration Office will send your residence permit card to the embassy where you can collect it. Upon arrival in Finland, you must register at a local registration office.

How to Supplement Your Visa Application?

In cases where the embassy suspects fraud or discrepancies in your application, you may be required to provide additional proof of your family ties such as:

• DNA Tests: To verify biological connections.
• Age Tests: If there are doubts about the applicant’s or sponsor’s age.

How Long is the Finland Family Visa Valid?

Initially, the family visa is valid for 12 months, but depending on your situation, it can be valid for up to 4 years.

How to Extend a Finland Family Visa?

You can extend your Finland family visa. The renewal process varies:

• Temporary B Permits: Renewable annually. Possible switch to a continuous permit later on.
• Continuous A Permits: Renewable every 4 years.

If your circumstances change, such as changes in marital status or employment, you must apply using the appropriate form reflecting these changes. Extensions should be applied for before the expiration of your current permit to avoid work disruptions.

Can Family Visa Holders Work in Finland?

Yes, family visa holders in Finland have unrestricted access to the workforce. However, if you hold a residence permit on the grounds of an intimate relationship, your work options might be limited.

How Much Does the Finland Family Reunion Visa Cost?

The cost for applying electronically is €470, while a paper application costs €520. Renewal fees also apply.

Is it Possible to Obtain Permanent Residence Through a Family Visa?

Yes, permanent residency is attainable after spending five years in Finland on a continuous residency permit.

Can You Apply for Finnish Citizenship with a Family Visa?

After residing in Finland for five years, you may apply for citizenship. If your spouse is a Finnish citizen, this period is shortened to four years.

For more information and official forms, visit the Finnish Immigration Service website. This resource offers precise details directly from the governing authorities, ensuring you have the most accurate information.

Learn Today:

Glossary of Terms

1. Immediate Family Member: In the context of Finnish immigration, this term refers to a spouse, registered partner, cohabiting partner, legal guardian of a minor, or a child. These individuals are eligible to apply for a Finland family visa to join their family members in Finland.
2. Form PK1_plus: A specific form completed and signed by a sponsor living in Finland, which is required as part of the Finland family visa application process. The form verifies the sponsor’s identity and confirms their relationship with the applicant.
3. Certificate of Good Standing: A document obtained from civil courts indicating that the applicant has no criminal charges or ongoing investigations against them. This certificate is part of the requirements for a Finland family visa to ensure the applicant’s legal and moral integrity.
4. Proof of Cohabitation: Evidence, such as rental agreements or joint bank accounts, proving that a couple has lived together in a committed relationship for at least two years. This is necessary for cohabiting partners applying for a Finland family visa.
5. Continuous A Permit: A type of residence permit in Finland that is valid for four years and renewable. Holders of this permit have more stability and are eligible for permanent residency after a continuous stay of five years.
   
   These definitions are formulated to provide clear and concise explanations of key terms related to the Finland family visa, making them easily understandable for all readers.

This Article In A Nutshell:

A Finland family visa allows reuniting with Finnish-resident family members. Eligible applicants include spouses, registered partners, cohabiting partners, legal guardians of minors, and children. Required documents include passports, financial proof, and civil status certificates. Processing time varies, with options for online or in-person applications.
— By VisaVerge.com

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