There is an error in the Aliens Act, stating that a sponsor resident in Finland may submit an application on the basis of family ties on behalf of a family member as of the beginning of 2014. This practice was eliminated at the beginning of 2012 when the Aliens Act was amended.
As of 2012, only the applicant himself/herself may submit a residence permit application. This will not change. Persons seeking to be reunited with their families must personally submit their residence permit applications to a Finnish embassy abroad. When submitting the application, they will be fingerprinted for a biometric residence permit card.
The error in the Aliens Act was entered when the Police Act was amended. Parliament is currently debating the amendment to the Police Act, and the error will be corrected once the debate is concluded.
