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Family Reunification - Child (Oleskelulupa perhesiteen perusteella - lapsi)
VisasFinlandFamily Reunification - Child (Oleskelulupa perhesiteen perusteella - lapsi)
FinlandFinland•Europe
Open

Family Reunification - Child (Oleskelulupa perhesiteen perusteella - lapsi)

Residency Pathway

At a Glance

Processing Time

3–9 months

Estimated Cost

EUR €400–€430

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

4 years

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Overview

Renewable residence permit for minors joining parents in Finland, granted for up to 4 years with unrestricted work authorization.

Residence permit for unmarried children under 18 joining a parent or guardian with Finnish citizenship or valid residence permit. Requires proof of guardianship and verified family relationship.

Valid for up to 4 years and renewable; work authorization is unrestricted. Fees are EUR 400 (electronic) or EUR 430 (paper); children's applications are prioritized. Typical processing is 90–270 days.

This visa is ideal for children under 18 separated from parents already residing in Finland, enabling family reunification and a pathway to permanent residency.

Cost Breakdown

Application fee (electronic)EUR €400
Application fee (paper)EUR €430
TotalEUR €400–€430

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant4 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

P-Permit — Permanent Residence Permit (Pysyvä oleskelulupa)
Finland flagFinland

P-Permit — Permanent Residence Permit (Pysyvä oleskelulupa)

Validity5 years
Processing5 months – 1.2 years
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

The child must be under 18 years of age and unmarried.

The sponsor (parent/guardian) must be a Finnish citizen or hold a valid Finnish residence permit.

The child must intend to live with the parent/guardian in Finland.

The parent/guardian must have custody of the child.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Child's passport

Birth certificate

Custody documents

Passport photos

Residence permit (sponsor)

Financial proof (sponsor)

Custody certificate (sponsor)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Children under 18 applications are prioritised, speeding up the reunification process
  • Unrestricted work authorization allows independent income generation while studying
  • Renewable up to 4 years at a time, providing long-term residency stability
  • Access to Finnish education and public healthcare immediately upon approval
  • Clear pathway to permanent residence and citizenship after reunification
  • Family reunification based on legal guardian relationship, not income threshold
  • Electronic application option available (EUR 400), reducing paper processing delays

Worth Knowing

  • Up to 9 months processing time (legal maximum) requires advance planning for family relocation
  • Paper applications cost EUR 430 versus EUR 400 electronic; digital submission recommended
  • Processing times range from 90-270 days depending on documentation completeness and complexity
  • Child must be under 18 and unmarried; permit expires when age threshold is exceeded
  • Parent/guardian must hold Finnish citizenship or valid Finnish residence permit to sponsor

Application Process

1

Verify custody: Parent must have legal custody

2

Prepare documents: Birth certificate, custody documents, parent's residence permit

3

Child presence requirement: Child must be present at application

4

Apply abroad: Submit at Finnish embassy or consulate

5

Income verification: Parent must meet income requirements

6

Pay fee: EUR 240 per child

7

Await decision: 3-4 months

Application Forms

Go to application portal
OLE_PH4 – Residence Permit Application for Child (whose guardian resides in Finland)Fill online
PK4_plus – Clarification of Family Ties for Guardian (sponsor in Finland)Fill online

Verified Claims (10)

Last verified Jun 27, 2026
Fee Breakdown
Application fee (electronic): 400 EUR; Application fee (paper): 430 EUR
migri.fi
Fees
EUR 400 (electronic) / EUR 430 (paper)
migri.fi
Forms
OLE_PH4 – Residence Permit Application for Child (whose guardian resides in Finland); PK4_plus – Cla…
migri.fi
Max Stay
Up to 4 years per grant; renewable before expiry
migri.fi
Max Stay Estimate
type: years, initialDays: 1460, notes: Granted for up to 4 years at a time; renewable before expiry
migri.fi
Petitioner
family
migri.fi
Processing Estimates
{"minDays":90,"maxDays":270}
migri.fi
Processing Time
Up to 9 months (legal maximum); applications from children under 18 are prioritised
migri.fi
Apply Now Official Information

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