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Residence permit on the basis of family ties
FinlandFinland•Europe
Open

Residence permit on the basis of family ties

Residency Pathway Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

3–9 months

Estimated Cost

EUR €1,550

Stay Duration

49 months

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Not specified

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Overview

Family reunification permit for spouses, partners, and children of Finnish residents; grants unrestricted work rights and is valid for up to 4 years per grant.

The residence permit on the basis of family ties enables foreign nationals to join immediate family members already living in Finland. Available to spouses, registered partners, cohabiting partners (2+ years cohabitation), and unmarried children under 18, applicants must demonstrate genuine intention to lead a shared family life with a Finnish citizen or valid residence permit holder.

Valid for up to 4 years per grant and renewable, the permit grants unrestricted work rights. Processing takes 90–270 days with fees of EUR 750 (online) or EUR 800 (paper). Applicants must meet income requirements (unless exempted) and provide proof of family relationship, financial resources, and documents translated/legalized if from outside EU/Nordic countries.

This visa is ideal for immediate family members of Finnish residents or citizens who seek to reunify their household while maintaining unrestricted work and study rights.

Cost Breakdown

Online applicationEUR €750
Paper applicationEUR €800
TotalEUR €1,550

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant4.0 years

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

TTOL — Residence Permit for an Employed Person (Työntekijän oleskelulupa)
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TTOL — Residence Permit for an Employed Person (Työntekijän oleskelulupa)

Validity1 year
Processing3 weeks – 2 months
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Entrepreneur Residence Permit (Yrittäjän oleskelulupa)
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Entrepreneur Residence Permit (Yrittäjän oleskelulupa)

ValidityVaries (Maximum duration for transfer; extensible if transfer continues)
Processing1–2 months
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Specialist Residence Permit (Erityisasiantuntijan oleskelulupa)
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Specialist Residence Permit (Erityisasiantuntijan oleskelulupa)

Validity2 years
Processing2 weeks – 2 months
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Student — Residence Permit for Studies (Opiskelijan oleskelulupa)
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Student — Residence Permit for Studies (Opiskelijan oleskelulupa)

ValidityGranted for the entire duration of studies; extendable via extended permit application.
Processing1–3 months
View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must have a family member (sponsor) living in Finland who is a Finnish citizen or holds a valid residence permit.

Family members are defined as a spouse, registered partner, cohabiting partner (with at least 2 years of continuous cohabitation), or an unmarried child under 18 years of age.

Must intend to lead a genuine family life with the sponsor in Finland.

Must meet the income requirement (sufficient financial resources) to support the family, unless exempted.

Must provide reliable proof of the family relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate).

Must not be a danger to public order, security, or health.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport.

Proof of family relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate, proof of cohabitation).

Proof of sufficient financial resources (e.g., salary certificates, bank statements).

Completed application form (via Enter Finland or paper form).

Passport photo.

Receipt of payment for the processing fee.

Legalized and translated documents if issued outside the EU/Nordic countries.

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

  • Unrestricted work authorization for permit holder
  • Spouse has unrestricted work rights without needing separate permit
  • Renewable indefinitely with no statutory maximum duration
  • Dual intent permitted—can maintain ties and employment outside Finland
  • Remote work allowed with no geographic restrictions
  • Direct pathway to permanent residence and citizenship
  • Minimal educational requirements—none specified

Worth Knowing

  • Sponsor must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support family without public assistance
  • Processing takes up to 9 months; identity verification may require travel to Finnish mission
  • All documentation from outside EU/Nordic countries must be legalized and translated
  • Requires sponsorship by Finnish citizen or valid residence permit holder to qualify

Application Process

1

Sponsor provides necessary information.

2

Complete the application in Enter Finland.

3

Pay the processing fee.

4

Prove your identity at a Finnish mission or Migri service point.

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