Eligibility quiz
Do you have a spouse or partner who is a Finnish citizen?
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 application centre
Find the Finnish mission or VFS centre designated for the country where you live. It may be in another country, so you may need a visa to travel there.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I apply for a Finland first residence permit on the basis of family ties near your city?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Create an Enter Finland account and fill in the application for a spouse or cohabiting partner of a Finnish citizen. Attach the required documents.
Fill in your applicationSubmit your application
Submit your application in Enter Finland and pay the fee by credit card or Finnish online banking, or pay at your identity visit. You can also apply on paper at the mission or VFS centre.
Submit your applicationBook an appointment
Use the Finland Abroad instructions for the country where you live to book an appointment at your designated mission or VFS centre.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an identity appointment for a Finland first residence permit on the basis of family ties near your city?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your passport and the documents requested by the mission or VFS centre, and give your photograph, fingerprints and signature. Pay any unpaid permit fee and any VFS service fee there.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to my identity appointment for a Finland first residence permit on the basis of family ties near your city?”
Wait for the decision
Stay abroad while your application is processed, and follow it in Enter Finland. Send any further information requested and attend an interview if asked.
Follow your applicationReceive your residence card
If your application is approved, receive your residence permit card at the place where you applied. You can then move to Finland.
Find card collection detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my Finland first residence permit card on the basis of family ties after applying abroad?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Partner's passport copy
Provide a colour copy of your Finnish spouse or partner's passport personal-data page. Include copies of every page containing notes.
Child's birth certificate *
Provide your child's birth certificate showing both parents. Get it from the office that issued it.
* Only if you are cohabiting partners and rely on joint custody of your child instead of two years of living together.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationMarriage or partnership certificate *
Provide your marriage certificate or registered-partnership certificate. See Migri's document preparation guidance for translations and legalisation.
* Only if you married or registered your partnership outside Finland.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationProof of living together *
Provide evidence that you and your Finnish partner have lived together for at least two years, such as a tenancy agreement or an extract from a register of occupants. If you rely on a serious reason instead, provide evidence and a written explanation of that reason; if you rely on joint custody of your child, provide the child's birth certificate and joint custody certificate.
* Only if you are cohabiting partners.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationDivorce or dissolution certificate *
Provide the divorce certificate for your previous marriage or the dissolution certificate for your previous registered partnership. Get it from the office that issued it.
* Only if you were previously divorced or had a registered partnership dissolved.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationFormer partner's death certificate *
Provide the death certificate for your former spouse or registered partner. Get it from the office that issued it.
* Only if your former spouse or registered partner has died.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationJoint custody certificate *
Provide a certificate showing that you and your Finnish partner have joint custody of your child. Get it from the office that issued it.
* Only if you are cohabiting partners and rely on joint custody of your child instead of two years of living together.
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 joinAmecan -USA Canada Australia Europe Japan-Visitor & Student Visa Specialist
English Facebook group for people living in Finland interested in Finnish visas
Join on FacebookExpats & Foreigners in Finland
English Facebook group for people living in Finland interested in Finnish visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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