How soon did you get your latest visa,residence/work permit?
How soon did you get your latest visa,residence/work permit?
Sure every foreigner living in Finland has dealt with the immigration office, be it Finnish embassies abroad, local police offices, or the ultimate UVI (Ulkomaalaisvirasto, Directorate of Immigration). What kind of experiences have you had with them?
The first permit, which took 3 months to approve and 3 weeks to receive notification, was the most irritating experience.
Second and permanent ones took about 2 weeks each, and were no sweat because 1. Oulu doesn't have many foreigners living here based on Finnish family connections so there was less paperwork backlog for the authorities, 2. I knew how to speak Finnish fairly well by then so the authorities figured I had passed the initiation period
Second and permanent ones took about 2 weeks each, and were no sweat because 1. Oulu doesn't have many foreigners living here based on Finnish family connections so there was less paperwork backlog for the authorities, 2. I knew how to speak Finnish fairly well by then so the authorities figured I had passed the initiation period
Former expat in Finland, now living in New Hampshire USA.
My permit took me almost 7 weeks. But that was merely a problem with Maistraatti, posti and poliisi.
Poliisi wanted to send my permit through posti, but the posti didn't deliver my posti, because I wasn't registered at the address through the Maistraatti, which I could only do if I had my permit, which was going to be send through posti, but the posti didn't deliver my posti, because I wasn't registered at the address through the Maistraatti, which I could only do if I had my permit, which was going to be send through posti, but the posti didn't deliver my posti, because I wasn't registered at the address through the Maistraatti, which I could only do if I had my permit, which was going to be send through posti, but the posti didn't deliver my posti, because I wasn't registered at the address through the Maistraatti, which I could only do if I had my permit, which was going to be send through posti, but the posti didn't deliver my posti, because I wasn't registered at the address through the Maistraatti, which I could only do if I had my permit, which was going to be send through posti, but the posti didn't deliver my posti, because I wasn't registered at the address through the Maistraatti, which I could only do if I had my permit, which was going to be send through posti, etc.etc.etc.etc.
That was kinda annoying...
Poliisi wanted to send my permit through posti, but the posti didn't deliver my posti, because I wasn't registered at the address through the Maistraatti, which I could only do if I had my permit, which was going to be send through posti, but the posti didn't deliver my posti, because I wasn't registered at the address through the Maistraatti, which I could only do if I had my permit, which was going to be send through posti, but the posti didn't deliver my posti, because I wasn't registered at the address through the Maistraatti, which I could only do if I had my permit, which was going to be send through posti, but the posti didn't deliver my posti, because I wasn't registered at the address through the Maistraatti, which I could only do if I had my permit, which was going to be send through posti, but the posti didn't deliver my posti, because I wasn't registered at the address through the Maistraatti, which I could only do if I had my permit, which was going to be send through posti, but the posti didn't deliver my posti, because I wasn't registered at the address through the Maistraatti, which I could only do if I had my permit, which was going to be send through posti, etc.etc.etc.etc.
That was kinda annoying...
According to my observation, in general, if you apply for the residence permit based on family ties, or you're living in other place than in Helsinki, it is relatively quicker to get the residence permit. However, if you're living in Helsinki (where most foreigners live), or if you also apply for the work permit, it can easily take 3-6 months to get the permits.
Also if your application can be handled in the local police department, it is quicker. But if your application is sent to UVI to process, then it needs at least 3 months.
Also if your application can be handled in the local police department, it is quicker. But if your application is sent to UVI to process, then it needs at least 3 months.
Long Long Wait
I win. I waited 7 months for my visa.
Well, for me it took exactly 20 days (plus 18 days to get it mailed to the house). Don´t know why. Got married in Maistraati on 10, applied for residence permit on 11, date of issue was 31.
Husband is EU, I am not, but he has already lived in Finland for 3 years and was waiting for his permanent permit at the time I applied (and got it later than me).
Poliisi in Espoo didn´t believe that we were applying for the permit, they were saying something like "bride-visa", but we brought them a paper from UVI (family members paragraph):
http://www.uvi.fi/pdf/oleoikeuseueta_eng.pdf
They gave up and issued me a 5-year permit.
Husband is EU, I am not, but he has already lived in Finland for 3 years and was waiting for his permanent permit at the time I applied (and got it later than me).
Poliisi in Espoo didn´t believe that we were applying for the permit, they were saying something like "bride-visa", but we brought them a paper from UVI (family members paragraph):
http://www.uvi.fi/pdf/oleoikeuseueta_eng.pdf
They gave up and issued me a 5-year permit.
Re: Long Long Wait
[quote="katrina"][quote="Geri Bush"]I win. I waited 7 months for my visa.[/quote]
Sorry, I bet that had to really bad:( You definintly win:)lol Where did you apply from?
Kat[/quote]
I applied from Hyvinkaa. I had been living in Helsinki for nearly 4 years with a B type residence permit. My employer and tax status was in the USA, work place Helsinki. Pretty strange. Not normal and certainly the cause of my wait.
With my application I submited, as advised, University degree, bank statements, Finnish language proficiency, activity within the Finnish community, and statement of cohabitation.
My earlier four residence permits counted for nothing! And I was issued a 1 year A5. My 4 years continuous with a B permit is just "twilight zone" time. Doesn't count as residence in the US or in Finland.
But it wasn't too bad. We were and are still remolding our house so I had plenty of time to play "Builder Bob".
But I don't advise using the exception to policy and appling from within Finland for your "first" permit.
Geri
Sorry, I bet that had to really bad:( You definintly win:)lol Where did you apply from?
Kat[/quote]
I applied from Hyvinkaa. I had been living in Helsinki for nearly 4 years with a B type residence permit. My employer and tax status was in the USA, work place Helsinki. Pretty strange. Not normal and certainly the cause of my wait.
With my application I submited, as advised, University degree, bank statements, Finnish language proficiency, activity within the Finnish community, and statement of cohabitation.
My earlier four residence permits counted for nothing! And I was issued a 1 year A5. My 4 years continuous with a B permit is just "twilight zone" time. Doesn't count as residence in the US or in Finland.
But it wasn't too bad. We were and are still remolding our house so I had plenty of time to play "Builder Bob".
But I don't advise using the exception to policy and appling from within Finland for your "first" permit.
Geri
The last time I applied, I went to the Tampere police station as I always had done in the past, and they told me it would take 3-8 weeks for them to process the paperwork and make a decision. They then referred me to the Kangasala police station (where I actually live).
When I applied in Kangasala, they told me that it would take about 3 weeks, but they ended up telephoned me about a week later to inform me that my passport was ready to be picked up.... apparently there are not a lot of foreigners in Kangasala.
I was also pleasantly surprised at the fee. The Tampere police quoted me €100, but I ended up paying about 25€ because I was applying for permanent residency and am married to a finn. (I probably shouldn't post that here or someone will see this and try to charge me the difference)...
- ryan
When I applied in Kangasala, they told me that it would take about 3 weeks, but they ended up telephoned me about a week later to inform me that my passport was ready to be picked up.... apparently there are not a lot of foreigners in Kangasala.
I was also pleasantly surprised at the fee. The Tampere police quoted me €100, but I ended up paying about 25€ because I was applying for permanent residency and am married to a finn. (I probably shouldn't post that here or someone will see this and try to charge me the difference)...
- ryan
From what I understood you always have to apply for a permit in the place where you live.kultary wrote:The last time I applied, I went to the Tampere police station as I always had done in the past, and they told me it would take 3-8 weeks for them to process the paperwork and make a decision. They then referred me to the Kangasala police station (where I actually live).
When I came here, I went to the Helsinki aliens police and after waiting in queue for 1,5 hours it was my turn and they told me nicely that I had to go to Espoo to get the permit, because I live in Espoo.
I don't remember how much I paid, but I think it was some 30€.