How to apply for a Finland permanent residency permit

The wonder of the Northern Lights, a wide range of recreational activities, and a high standard of living are just a few of the reasons people consider relocating to Finland. This blog will discuss how you can apply for a Finland permanent residency permit if you are considering migrating to study or work.

Types of Finland permanent residence permits

In general, Finland residency permits are classified according to their term and the reason for the application.

There are two types of permits in terms of duration

Temporary permit

These are the permits that are valid for a set amount of time and can be of two types

Permit B 

This is normally valid for a year and must be renewed each year.

Permit A 

• This permit is only valid for four years and can be renewed every four years.
• Lifetime permit
• This is a permit that is usually valid indefinitely until you cancel it, or you breach the permit regulations and your permit gets canceled.

There are several types of residency permits depending on the reason you are moving for

Work-related residency permit

To be eligible for this type of permit, you must have a valid job contract. This visa is normally good for a year, although it may be issued for the duration of your work contract.

Permit to study 

A student housing permit is valid for two years; however, if your studies are shorter than two years, your permit will only be valid for the duration of your program. If you have a job and want to stay in Finland after finishing your education, you can apply for a job-seeker visa and look for work.

Permit for residence based on familial ties

Individuals who have family members in Finland are eligible for this permission.

A spouse, registered partner, kid, or legal guardian is considered a family member. The validity of this permit is determined by numerous criteria, although the typical validity period ranges from one to four years.

Other reasons for a residence permit

Permits are typically issued for work, family relationships, and study. If none of these permissions apply to you, you can apply for a permit on special grounds, which includes dating someone in Finland to marry.

Residence permit based on re-immigration.

If you were a Finnish citizen by birth or naturalization and want to return to Finland, you can apply for this permit. You may also be eligible for this permission if you have Finnish ancestors or are somehow connected to Finland.

Permanent Residency in the EU

This is a sort of permanent residency awarded to people who have lived in Finland for 5 years under a continuous permit and the pre-existing circumstances under which their continuous permit was obtained are still in effect.

How to Apply for a Finland permanent residence  Permit?

Steps to apply for a Finland residence permit

1. Fill in the application form.
2. Prepare your documents.
3. Visit a local Finnish mission.
4. Wait for a decision.
5. Travel to Finland.

Complete the application form

• If you want to apply for a residency permit, you can do so online using the e-service. You must first create a user account and then apply for the appropriate type of residency permit.
• You can also submit a paper application to a local Finnish mission, such as an embassy or consulate.
• When you lodge your application for any type of permit, you will discover a list of papers you must attach to your application form.

Prepare your paperwork

• Before you apply, make sure you have all the necessary documentation. Passports, birth certificates, marriage licenses, adoption paperwork, health insurance, and other documents fall within this category.
• You must ensure that all documents are translated by a court-certified translator if they are not in English, Finnish, or Swedish and that all documents are legalized as needed.

Visit a Finnish mission in your area

• After submitting your application using the e-service, you must appear in person at an embassy or consulate in your country to establish your identity and submit your fingerprints. Please include copies of any documentation submitted with your application.
• If you are applying in person, bring all your documents with you and hand them over, along with your completed application form. You must also submit your biometrics.
• At this step of the procedure, you must pay the application fee for both types of applications, so have either a credit card or cash with you.
• You might have to participate in an interview. You will most likely be questioned about the basis for your application, whether you have family connections in Finland, and how long you intend to stay in Finland.

Wait for the decision

• After you submit your application, all you have to do is wait for it to be processed.
• The processing period could range from 6 to 9 months. 
• Each application is unique, and the application is evaluated with respect to a variety of criteria. Hence, it might take some time.
• Every application will be examined, so please be patient.

Travel to Finland

• A decision will be made as soon as your application has been processed. If you applied through the e-service, you will be notified of the decision by your account, email, or text message.
• If you applied through your local embassy, the decision will be mailed to you. In about three weeks, your residency card will be delivered to a local mission, where you can pick it up or have it mailed to your address. You can register with a local immigration office as soon as you arrive in Finland.

Finland Residency Permit Requirements

These are the documents you must include with your residence application

At the time of the application, you must have a valid passport. Please ensure that your passport is not about to expire and that it was issued within the last decade.

Identity photograph

Following the Schengen visa photo guidelines, you must give a recent photograph that is no older than six months.

A copy of the bio page from your passport

When applying for residency or a visa, applicants must present a copy of their passport’s bio page.

A duplicate of your spouse’s passport bio page

When you apply to reunite with a family member, spouse, or registered partner, you must provide this information.

PK1 plus form.

If you apply for a residence permit based on family ties, your sponsor must complete and sign this form in addition to your application.

Documents of civil nature

Birth certificates, marriage licenses, divorce licenses, adoption papers, foster papers, family certificates, and so on are examples of these documents.

Proof of residency is required

You must supply documentation demonstrating that you are lawfully residing in your current location.

Evidence of financial stability

You must provide proof that you will be able to sustain yourself throughout your stay in Finland. Each application category has various budgetary requirements.

For example, if you are looking for a reunification visa, your sponsor must be able to financially assist you, and you must produce bank statements and other comparable documentation.

Evidence of enrollment

This is required when applying for a student housing permit. Before you may apply for your permission, you must first apply to the university.

Payment proof of tuition fee

For a student residence permit, you must present proof of paid tuition, proof that you can pay for the tuition on your own if you haven’t already, or proof of your scholarship if you are a scholarship recipient.

Evidence of cohabitation

When applying for a permit based on cohabitation, you and your partner must have lived together for at least two years.

Key takeaways

• Finland offers scenic beauty and social security and better career opportunities to all its residents, making it one of the best places to relocate in the world.
• There are different Finnish residency permits, such as temporary, lifetime, work-related, etc. You can apply according to your requirements and the ones you are eligible for.
• You can apply for a Finland permanent residence permit by filling up the application form, submitting all the necessary documents, and visiting the Finnish mission for the next step or an interview. Application processing might take some time.

Did you find this blog informative? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments section below. Click here to contact us for more information on a Finland permanent residence. We would be happy to assist you with your queries.

Liked this blog? Read next: Easy steps to get permanent residency in Singapore

FAQs

Q1. Is it easy to get Finland citizenship?

Ans- The declaration method is a speedier and less expensive option for an applicant to become a Finnish citizen as compared to the traditional application process. A child born abroad and out of wedlock to a Finnish man or a Finnish non-birth mother may get Finnish citizenship by declaration.

Q2. How strong is Finland’s passport?

Ans- The Finland passport rating is based on the degree of global admission it provides to Finnish passport holders, who can travel visa-free to 193 countries but need a visa to visit 28 others. National passports are graded based on how many countries a holder can visit without obtaining a visa.

Q3. Do Finnish citizens need a visa for the USA?

Ans- Finnish passport holders considering a short journey to the United States do not need to obtain a visa. To take advantage of this visa exemption, you can complete the ESTA application and acquire an online entrance permit.