If you are applying for an extended permit or citizenship or renewing your residence permit card or residence card, it is possible that you do not need to visit a service point to prove your identity. For more information about when visiting a service point is not necessary, see the page Identification.
Residence permit application on the basis of family ties
You can be granted a residence permit on the basis of family ties only if your family member (the sponsor) is granted or has been granted a residence permit for Finland.
Family members of a Finnish citizen or a foreign national who is not an EU citizen include:
- a spouse
- a registered partner
- a cohabiting partner
- You have lived together for a continuous period of at least 2 years. The period of residence requirement does not apply if you have joint custody of a child or if there are other serious reasons.
- a person who has custody of a child under 18 years of age
- an unmarried child under 18 years of age of whom the sponsor has custody.
Before you apply for a residence permit on the basis of family ties, familiarise yourself with the requirements for a residence permit and see the page Moving to Finland to be with a family member (migri.fi)for more information.
The documents relating to family ties required for the application must be legalised, unless they have been issued by an authority of a Nordic country or by an authority of an EU Member State. See the page Interpretation, translation and legalisation (migri) for instructions on how to have your documents legalised.
For some countries, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland requires that documents relating to family ties are sent to VFS Global for verification before legalisation. Check whether verification is required in your case before you submit the application. For more information, see the Finland abroad website (finlandabroad.fi).
Residence permit for a spouse
You can apply for the permit if your spouse has been granted or applies for a Finnish residence permit at the same time and you are
If you have a steady relationship with a person who has a residence permit in Finland, you cannot apply for a residence permit via the e-service but must fill in the paper form OLE_MUU.
Residence permit for a spouse of a Finnish citizen
You can apply for the permit if your spouse is a Finnish citizen and you are
and your spouse lives in Finland or is moving to Finland.
If you have a steady relationship with a Finnish citizen, you cannot apply for a residence permit via the e-service but must fill in the paper form OLE_MUU.
Residence permit for a guardian
You can apply for a residence permit as a guardian if your child who lives in Finland is a Finnish citizen or has been granted a Finnish residence permit and the child is under 18 years old and unmarried.
Residence permit for a child
You can apply for a residence permit for a child in your custody if you are a Finnish citizen or have been granted or are applying for a Finnish residence permit at the same time and your child is under 18 years old and unmarried.
Residence permit for other family member
You can apply for the permit if your relative living in Finland is a Finnish citizen or has been granted a residence permit on the basis of international protection and
- you intend to resume the close family life in Finland that you have led elsewhere or
- you are fully dependent on your relative living in Finland.
It is also required that your family life has been interrupted for compelling reasons.
Residence permit for adoption
You can apply for a residence permit for your child if you live in Finland and adopt a child abroad.