Residence Permit on family ties to Finland

Anyone, except citizens of the Nordic countries who do not need a residence permit and citizens of EU/EEA countries who will be issued a residence permit by their local police, wishing to stay in Finland for more than three months must apply and receive a residence permit before entering Finland. This also applies to US citizens who are former Finnish citizens.

One set of documents will remain in the Embassy or Consulate and the other set will be sent to Finland to the Immigration Service. Thus to apply for a residence permit for immigration purposes bring or mail the originals of all the following documents to the Embassy or Consulate in dublicate:

1. Fill in the correct family ties application form depending on your situation: residence permit application for the spouse, for the spouse of a Finnish citizen, for a guardian or for a child. The forms and their appendixes can be downloaded from the Finnish Immigration Service website: Application forms. Application forms cannot be faxed, they must be the originals. In addition, remember to sign them.
2. Two passport size photos.
   The photos must follow the Passport Photo Guidelines issued by the police in June 2005. Size: 3,6 cm x 4,7 cm (1 3/8 inch x 1 7/8 inch), head: between 3,2 cm x 3,6 cm (1 1/4 inch to 1 3/8 inch). Incorrect pictures cannot be accepted.
3. Valid passport or other travel document. Please, remember to sign your passport if it is required.
4. If you are applying to join your spouse in Finland, a notarized copy of your marriage certificate, or if you are married to a Finn, an official certificate (virkatodistus) from Finland stating so. If your children are applying with you, notarized copies of their birth certificates from the Population Registry and notarized signatures by both custodians.
5. Official proof of former Finnish citizenship or Finnish ancestry, if applicable.
6. Written proof of your housing arrangements in Finland: Do you own an apartment? Will you rent one and how much is the monthly rent? How big is the apartment?
7. Proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay in Finland. This can be done in the form of a letter from your bank. If you are going to work and be paid a salary, you must also apply for a work permit (see instructions). If you are retired, submit a written statement of your monthly pension and how much of it will be transferred to Finland.
8. Processing fee and possibly a postal fee.

The Finnish Immigration Service will process your application and the process usually takes upwards of 3 months (usually 6 - 12 months) depending on the case in question. The process cannot be started until all paperwork and payment is submitted. It is not advisable to make any final travel arrangements, particularly purchase of non-refundable air tickets for specific date, prior to approval of your application.