Visa and residence permit of a Finnish citizen's family member

In accordance with section 37 of the Aliens Act (Ulkomaalaislaki 301/2004), a Finnish citizen's foreign family members are:

  • the spouse of a Finnish citizen
  • a person in a registered partnership with a Finnish citizen
  • an unmarried child under 18 years of age, whose guardian or the spouse of the guardian resides in Finland
  • if the person residing in Finland is a minor, his or her guardian is the family member

Persons living in a marriage-like relationship and sharing the same household are comparable to a married couple regardless of their sex, provided that they have lived together for at least two years. The two-year requirement does not apply if the persons have a child in their joint custody or if there are other weighty reasons.

Travel to Finland of a child born abroad to a Finnish citizen

A visa cannot be issued to a child born abroad to a Finnish citizen or a child who is entitled to Finnish citizenship through a parent. A visa is an entry permit required from foreign nationals and cannot therefore be issued to Finnish citizens or persons who are entitled to Finnish citizenship. Nor can a visa be issued because of delays in obtaining the necessary documents in the child's country of birth.

A child born abroad to a Finnish citizen or a child who is entitled to Finnish citizenship through a parent needs a Finnish passport to travel to Finland.

A passport can be issued only if the child is a Finnish citizen and the child’s citizenship has been registered in Finland’s Population Information System. Under law, Finnish citizens must notify the Digital and Population Data Services Agency of any changes to their family relations, including information on children born abroad. It should be noted that registering Finnish citizenship for a child may require applying for Finnish citizenship by declaration. More information is available on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service.

Residence permit application by a family member who is a visa national

If you are a family member of a Finnish citizen and you intend to travel to Finland for a period of time exceeding three months, please follow the instructions:

  • Apply for a residence permit at a Finnish mission either in your home country or in the country of departure where you have a legal residence well in advance. The residence permit application must be submitted in person.  Read more about the application of a residence permit at the Finnish Immigration Service website.

Residence permit application by a family member who is exempt from the visa requirement

If you do not need a visa to Finland, you can stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days.

If you are a Finnish citizen's family member and you intend to travel to Finland for a longer stay than three months, you can apply for a residence permit in advance at a Finnish mission.

You can submit a residence permit application at the Finnish Immigration Service, too.