Eligibility quiz
Is a parent or guardian in Finland who has custody of you and cares for you a Finnish citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for your childBenefits for your child
Live in Finland for life
You can live in Finland indefinitely, and your permit does not end when you turn 18.
Study in Finland
You can study in Finland at school, in vocational or higher education, or in other courses.
The ordinary rules for each course apply.
Work in Finland
You have an unrestricted right to work in Finland without a separate work permit or limits on your occupation.
Travel and return
You can leave and return to Finland with a valid passport or other accepted travel document and a valid permit card.
You can generally visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Vote in elections
Residents aged 18 or older can vote in municipal and wellbeing-services-county elections.
Depending on their citizenship, residents may also vote in European Parliament elections.
Use public healthcare
You can use public healthcare if you have a municipality of residence in Finland.
Charges can apply.
Get social support
You may receive Kela benefits if Kela considers you permanently resident in Finland and you meet the conditions for the benefit.
Kela may end residence-based support if you work abroad or stay abroad for more than six months.
How to apply
Applying at a service pointApplying at a service point
Open the application
As the child’s parent, guardian or other legal representative, open Enter Finland and select the Permanent residence permit for a child application, OLE_P_LAPSI.
Open the applicationGather your documents
Prepare the documents required for the child’s application and service-point visit.
See required documentsFill in the application
Create or sign in to your Enter Finland account, answer the questions and upload readable copies of the documents. A child aged 15 to 17 may use their own account to apply, but their representative remains responsible for the application.
Fill in the applicationPay the fee online
Pay the child’s application fee in Enter Finland.
Pay the feeSubmit your application
Submit the child’s application in Enter Finland. You can also apply on paper in person at a service point.
Submit the applicationBook an appointment
Book an appointment at a Finnish Immigration Service service point for the child’s identity visit.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Finland permanent residence permit for a child service-point appointment?”
Go to your appointment
Take the child to the service point with at least one guardian so the child can prove their identity. Bring the child’s passport or travel document, the originals and copies of the attachments, and an official identity document for the attending adult.
Find your service pointSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where is my Finland permanent residence permit for a child service-point appointment?”
Wait for the decision
Follow the child’s application in Enter Finland and respond there if the Finnish Immigration Service asks for more information. If the permit is granted, the child can live permanently in Finland.
Follow the applicationDocuments needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificate
Provide your official birth certificate or family record showing your relationship to your parent. Check the application for the record Migri asks you to provide.
Parent or guardian's residence record *
Provide evidence that your parent or guardian lives in Finland. Check your application for the evidence Migri asks you to provide.
* Only if you qualify through a parent or guardian living in Finland.
Parent or guardian's status records *
Provide evidence of your parent or guardian's Finnish citizenship, permanent residence permit or EU long-term resident's permit. If your parent or guardian applies for a permanent permit at the same time as you, provide evidence of that application and the eventual decision as requested.
* Only if you qualify through a parent or guardian living in Finland.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Valid travel documents
Keep your passport or other accepted travel document and your permit card valid.
You need both to return to Finland, and a lost or expired card abroad may mean you need a D visa to return.
Permit can end
Your permit can be withdrawn for moving permanently from Finland, over two years abroad for a permanent purpose, knowingly false information or concealed facts that could have prevented it.
Certain Schengen entry bans or removal cases can also lead to withdrawal; deportation or Finnish citizenship ends it.
For a temporary absence, each family member may apply before the period ends to prevent withdrawal for special or exceptional reasons.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expats & Foreigners in Finland
English Facebook group for people living in Finland interested in Finnish visas
Join on Facebookr/AnchorLessEurope
English Reddit group for people living in Europe interested in visas
Join on RedditForeigners in Finland
English Facebook group for people living in Finland interested in Finnish local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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