Government to tighten conditions for family reunification

The Government will tighten conditions for family reunification, in other words residence permits issued to foreign nationals on the basis of family ties. In its session on 12 June, the Government proposed that the President of the Republic approve the relevant amendments to the Aliens Act on 13 June. The amendments will enter into force on 16 June.

If a residence permit is granted to a spouse on the basis of family ties, both spouses will need to be of a minimum age of 21 years. However, the minimum age requirement will not apply to a Finnish citizen whose spouse applies for a residence permit.

When a family member of a minor who has been granted international protection applies for family reunification, the family member will, with certain exceptions, be required to have sufficient financial resources.

Beneficiaries of international protection will, as a rule, have to stay in Finland for two years before their family members can apply for family reunification. This condition will be introduced with certain exceptions.

These legislative amendments aim to promote integration and encourage immigrants to take more responsibility for their integration. They also seek to put an end to practices that are harmful to society and individuals, such as the use of children as a means of entry to the country, forced marriages and marriages of convenience. The amendments will therefore improve Finland's internal security.

Another objective of the amendments is to align Finland’s national policy and legislation on family reunification with those of other European countries.

New conditions are based on the Family Reunification Directive 

The new conditions outlined in the Government Programme are based on the EU Family Reunification Directive. The directive defines the minimum conditions for the exercise of the right to family reunification by third-country nationals residing lawfully in the territory of the Member States. Finland will now introduce more extensively the optional additional conditions permitted by the directive.

A foreign spouse of a Finnish citizen, a family member of a foreign national working or studying in Finland, or a family member of a person who has been granted international protection in Finland may apply for family reunification. 

Inquiries:
Tuuli Tuunanen, Chief Specialist, tel. +358 295 488 658, [email protected]