Eligibility quiz
Are you the guardian of a child?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Finland
You can live with your family in Finland for as long as your permit is valid.
Study in Finland
You can study in Finland without a separate permit for your studies.
Work in Finland
You can work without restrictions and do not need a separate work permit.
You can start work after your permit is granted.
Get help abroad
If you live permanently in Finland and are in trouble abroad, a Finnish mission can help with urgent medical care or contacting relatives.
In some cases it can provide a temporary passport for your return.
If Finland has no mission, another Nordic mission may help, or another EU country's mission outside the EU.
Use public healthcare
You can use public healthcare if you have a registered home municipality in Finland.
Get financial support
Kela may provide financial support for housing, family costs, unemployment, sickness and other needs if it considers you permanently resident in Finland.
Working in Finland may qualify you for a narrower set of benefits.
Kela checks eligibility for each benefit, and your permit must be valid.
How to apply
Applying from outside FinlandApplying from outside Finland
Find your consulate
Find the Finnish mission or application centre responsible for the place where you are staying. You may need to travel to another country for your appointment.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Finnish mission or application centre serves your city for a Finland residence permit application for a guardian whose child is a Finnish citizen?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your application and appointment.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Create an Enter Finland account and select “My child is a Finnish citizen” to fill in your residence permit application. Upload the required documents.
Fill in your applicationSubmit your application
Submit your application in Enter Finland and pay the fee there by credit card or Finnish online banking. You can also apply on paper at your appointment instead.
Submit your applicationBook an appointment
Book an appointment at the Finnish mission or application centre responsible for the place where you are staying.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment abroad to prove my identity for a Finland residence permit application for a guardian whose child is a Finnish citizen?”
Go to your appointment
Go in person to the mission or application centre with your passport and the requested original documents and copies. Prove your identity, provide your photograph, signature and fingerprints, and pay any application centre service fee.
Prepare for your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to my appointment abroad for a Finland residence permit application for a guardian whose child is a Finnish citizen?”
Wait for the decision
Wait abroad while your application is processed, and follow its progress in Enter Finland. Send any further information requested and attend an interview if you are invited.
Follow your applicationReceive your permit card
Once your permit is approved, receive your residence permit card at the mission or application centre where you proved your identity. You can then travel to Finland to live with your permit.
Find card delivery informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my Finland residence permit card abroad after my application as a guardian whose child is a Finnish citizen is approved?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Child's birth certificate
Get your Finnish child's birth certificate showing the child's parents. If your child was adopted, also provide the adoption decision.
Copy of child's passport
Provide a colour copy of the personal-details page and every page with notes in your Finnish child's passport.
Child custody documents
Provide a document showing that you are your Finnish child's guardian, and any custody or access agreement or other custody or access document. If your child is a foster child, provide an authority document confirming your guardianship, evidence that the previous guardians died or are missing, and evidence that you or your spouse had actual custody before the child came to Finland.
Divorce certificate *
Provide the divorce certificate for you and your Finnish child's other parent or guardian.
* Only if you and your child's other parent or guardian are divorced.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationOther parent's death certificate *
Provide the death certificate of your Finnish child's other parent.
* Only if your child's other parent has died.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationPaternity certificate *
Provide a certificate establishing your Finnish child's paternity.
* Only if the parents were not married when your child was born.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Permit and record updates
Renew your permit before it expires if you still need it, and keep your passport valid.
Tell the relevant authorities about changes to your address, family circumstances and other registered details.
Residence can be lost
Your permit ends when it expires unless it is extended, and extension is not automatic.
It may be withdrawn or not extended if the reason for your stay no longer exists, though a family breakdown does not automatically end it.
False or misleading information and other legal grounds for removal or withdrawal can also affect it.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
EU Freedom of Movement Support Initiative
English Facebook group for people living in Finland interested in Finnish visas
Request to joinExpats & 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 RedditConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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