Finland•EuropeFamily Reunification - Child (Oleskelulupa perhesiteen perusteella - lapsi)
At a Glance
3–9 months
EUR €400–€430
Varies by filing options
4 years
Renewable
Renewal
Renewable
Family
Not specified
PR Pathway
None
Sponsor
No job offer needed
Work
Remote not required
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
Stay & Extensions
| Initial grant | 4 years |
Conversion Paths
Visas you can typically switch to from this status.
FinlandP-Permit — Permanent Residence Permit (Pysyvä oleskelulupa)
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
Verify custody
Parent must have legal custody
Prepare documents
Birth certificate, custody documents, parent's residence permit
Child presence requirement
Child must be present at application
Apply abroad
Submit at Finnish embassy or consulate
Income verification
Parent must meet income requirements
Pay fee
EUR 240 per child
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 |
Related visas
More visas in Finland
Family visas in other countries
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