Number of family reunification applications will increase over the next few years

The Finnish Immigration Service expects an increase in the number of family reunification applications from next year onwards, after the asylum seekers currently entering the country begin to receive favourable decisions on their applications. The family members of a person who has arrived in Finland as an asylum seeker cannot apply for a residence permit in Finland on the basis of family ties until after a residence permit has been granted to the asylum seeker. The processing times of asylum applications are expected to become longer than before.

The family members of beneficiaries of international protection have been the smallest group among applicants of residence permits on the basis of family ties. This year, less than 500 residence permit applications were submitted by family members of beneficiaries of international protection. For example, more residence permit applications were submitted this year by family members of foreign nationals studying or working in Finland (4,300) and foreign family members of Finnish citizens (2,200). The situation is changing, however, as family reunification applications by beneficiaries of international protection will become the most common type of applications over the next few years.

Based on prior experience, the Finnish Immigration Service estimates that it will receive three family reunification applications per asylum granted. Families will have to prepare for a long wait as the family reunification process is bound to take some time. According to Finnish law, a residence permit application based on family ties must be processed within nine months.

Applications based on family ties must be submitted to Finnish missions abroad

The family members of persons who have been granted a residence permit in Finland must submit their residence permit applications to a Finnish embassy or consulate abroad. The missions receive the applications and are responsible for conducting personal interviews if required. The Finnish Immigration Service will process the application and make a decision.

Electronic services will become available next year, but applicants will still be required to visit the mission in person. In many cases, it will be necessary to hear the applicant in person, and the waiting times for these interviews may be very long.

Positive decisions mainly for members of the core family only

As a rule, if the requirements are met, residence permits can be granted only to members of the core family of a person residing in Finland. In the case of adults these are the spouse and underage children; in the case of a child they are the persons who have custody of the child, although his or her underage siblings are also eligible. Other relatives can be granted a residence permit for residence in Finland only in exceptional cases.

Further information for the media

Arja Kallakivi, Head of Section, tel. +358 295 430 431, firstname.lastname@migri.fi

Leena Turku, Senior Adviser, tel. +358 295 430 431, firstname.lastname@migri.fi