How long to wait Resident Permit?

[Kutittaa]

It can take ages, you can always call them up and ask them when it will be done. They will probably just tell you to wait, but at least they told me that it was about to be finished processing because they had looked at it and decided on a positive answer. I just had to wait for them to have it back in the office so I could come in and they could give it to me.

If it takes extra time it could be because you have improperly filled out the form or that you have left out some information they need or that they just require more information in general about something.
Just wait patiently. You could even need an interview which means you will have to wait even longer.

Even after you get your permit (IF you even get it) you are still going to probably be sitting around doing nothing, just because you have the right to start doing things doesn't mean you are instantly going to be able to do so... you'll see.

[Rip]

Should bookmark this thread for reference for the next "pros and cons of applying the residence permit in Finland" (instead of applying while being abroad)...

If you think your case is not clear enough that you actually need an interview, then you may have long wait indeed (police may transfer your case to Immigration service, who may reject it after which you start going through the appeal courts...) We waited ours in Helsinki a few years ago for nearly six months (and that was a straightforward case), I had got an impression that things had speeded up since, but the situation might also start worsening again.

Because during the time waitting I can not work, can not go school: it's law here.

I hope at least you did not find out about that only after moving here... You can try to find some some Finnish language courses to attend (degree studies are impossible without permit, not shorter courses.) - if you have energy maybe some other language as well). Otherwise, try to find some hobby and look around local sights (admittedly possibly in short supply in smaller towns here). If things go well, and you find yourself after a while employed (and perhaps with a few kids) this maybe the last time you're suffering from too much time.

[tizlit]

The easy cases are handled first, and it all depends on your nationality, what grounds your application is based on, etc.
One person received RP in 3 weeks, others can wait for half a year, or more.

[Kutittaa]

And all the while the OP's savings are slowly melting away..

[onkko]

According to migri pages average decision time between 1.1. - 31.10.2010 was 243 days.
This is last info about processing http://www.migri.fi/netcomm/content.asp ... anguage=EN

At the beginning of February 2012

approximately 2,500 applications on the basis of family ties are pending
the earliest applications awaiting processing to begin were largely submitted in May 2011
the earliest applications awaiting decision were largely submitted in January 2011.

[Kaarina91]

To Laine:
When I applied they told me the same thing that it will take up to three months. I didn't find out until 6 months later. My situation is kind of the same to yours. I did get married here in FInland. Each case is different and am sure they have tons of applicants waiting :/ you just have to be patient!!

[Kutittaa]

You're from Vietnam, there are tons of people who've been trying to flee that country. Your application could (will) take months. No use complaining now, you should have applied for it whilst you were back home so you could work and continue your life as normal. You're from a 'high risk' country. Better get used to sitting around and doing nothing I guess.

Use this time to get familiar with Finnish and start integrating into the society.

[Rip]

Thanks for all your idea. I am Vietnamese girl

That does not help, I am afraid

I thought my husband have a stable job, pay all of taxes

Irrelevant for the case

I was graduated University, and I had a good job in Vietnam.

Might help in the sense it may make you look less likely to get married just to get residence permit in Finland.

I came Finland to travel and visited my husband, his family.

How long you knew before getting married, how much time you had spent together? This probably weighs most.

So, we will have an interview soon, but it was not.

Sufficiently clear (positive) cases don't even have interviews.

My husband called police 2 times, and all they said that I have to wait, and even don't say how long should I wait.

Been there, done that

I like to apply to learn Finnish in school

That is the one thing you CAN do - enrol to Finnish language course in some educational establishment. It depends on the place where you live how many options you have.

Could anyone can help me this matter?

I am afraid not.

[Rip]

Can I travel around Europe while my passport being kept by police?

You can not/should not travel without passport. You could have asked for the passport temporarily back earlier (in Helsinki, police does not even ask for it until the permit is ready to be issued), but it's three + months since your arrival, so what ever visa you had, is now expired. For authorities outside Finland you'd quite possibly look like an illegal alien, so don't travel now before you get your permit.

Can I apply the Finnish course or MBA course while I am waiting? I will pay for the course.

Finnish language courses you can attend, just find one nearby. Degree studies are not possible without the permit.

What did they ask you when you had an interview?

I've seen some questions referenced earlier, but as it wasn't anything that should cause difficulties for a genuine husband and wife, I'd rather not prep you.

[Kutittaa]

Can I travel around Europe while my passport being kept by police? They gave me 1 paper when I applied RP, can I use that paper for travel?

Legally? Absolutely not. You need your passport for that. You are as we say 'grounded' whilst you wait for a decision. That is one of the negatives of applying in the country instead of in your own country. If it takes 6 months until you get your passport back, it takes 6 months. If it takes 12 then it takes 12. That is the way the dice rolls.

Can I apply the Finnish course or MBA course while I am waiting? I will pay for the course.

You can apply for Finnish courses but you cannot apply for MBA courses until you get your permit. IF you even get your permit.

What did they ask you when you had an interview?

Not everyone has an interview, if you're from a low-risk country and everything checks out without the need for asking questions then an interview is not necessary.
As for the questions they would be different for each person because each person is different and has different circumstances and reasons.

[Rodwen]

So, from a low risk country like Australia, how long would it take?
We've been waiting for 5 months now. We were told that it'd be handled at the local police station, but for some odd reason it was sent to Helsinki to migri. And we're not sure when it was sent there and how long it'll take still.
We've just been having huge problems with our landlords, who won't allow anyone without valid residence permit to stay in their rental properties. Now every month we have to go to the police station to get this paper renewed that shows that my hubby's still waiting for his permit. The police won't extend it for more than one month at the time and so every few weeks we have to do the whole thing over again: go to police - get paper renewed - go to housing people - get rental contract renewed.
Now the police told us they can't extend it anymore it advance and we have to come on the day that the paper runs out, which will mean that the rental people are going to kick us out of our appartment.

So much trouble

[Kutittaa]

You should have checked that out before you moved into that place :/

Where abouts do you live? This of course has a huge affect on how long it takes to get your permit done.

In Oulu my initial permit took exactly 72½ days before I got the phone call saying that it was waiting for me.
I also called up after about 65 days and they told me that it was accepted but they were waiting for it to come back to the police station so I could pick it up.

My second (extension permit) took exactly 68 days before I got the phone call saying that it was waiting for me.
I applied both times in Oulu and neither time was my permit sent to the immigration office. I also didn't have to have an interview either times.

On top of that, on both my permit forms I didn't really have to even answer any of the questions because none of them applied to me. Didn't have to declare income or children as well as provide any reasons for wanting to stay. Just simply write my name, personal identity number, have my wife do the same and tick the box that I haven't left the country and state when I permanently moved here. After that sign on the dotted line, date and pay the fee in the office. Oh as well as get a new passport photo taken for the ID card.

Was quite straightforward actually. One of the easiest forms for the most important sort of thing I've ever filled out. Obviously the 5 page mountain of questions are for asylum seekers or those who are not married or whatever. But at the top of everything it says "You don't have to fill this out if you are married to a Finnish citizen" so I was able to skip most of the paperwork.

If your permit went to Helsink you could be looking at an 8 month wait. Like interlukin and Persuivant have said before, when it goes to Migri it's not so much the 'place' you are from, as the pile and pile of applications they already have.

Otherwise like I said, you should have checked with your landlord before moving in if it would put you in hot water whilst your husband was applying for his new permit. I asked my landlord and they said they don't care as long as I am legally allowed to stay in the country because they don't want to be housing an illegal resident.

Though you could be in for a long wait, most likely you'll need to start looking for another place if you have not already found one. As you would know, no one knows how long these can take all we know is that some of them can take up to a year. The more you write and if you're from a high risk country almost guarantees your form going to Helsinki as well as winning yourself an interview.

[onkko]

We've just been having huge problems with our landlords, who won't allow anyone without valid residence permit to stay in their rental properties. Now every month we have to go to the police station to get this paper renewed that shows that my hubby's still waiting for his permit. The police won't extend it for more than one month at the time and so every few weeks we have to do the whole thing over again: go to police - get paper renewed - go to housing people - get rental contract renewed.
Now the police told us they can't extend it anymore it advance and we have to come on the day that the paper runs out, which will mean that the rental people are going to kick us out of our appartment.

So much trouble

Rights of renters are quite high in here so i dont see how he can kick you out. I assume you have right to reside in here and your hubby is living in property you have rented by your permission.

Im not a lawyer so i intepreter law by layman terms and that might be incorrect.

Now lets look at ACT ON RESIDENTIAL LEASES

CHAPTER 2
Section 17
Assignment of a residential apartment to the use of another person
The tenant may use the residential apartment as his or her own home or as a joint home with his or her spouse and the children belonging to the tenant’s family. The tenant may also use the apartment as a joint home with his or her near relative or a near relative of his or her spouse or assign by sub-lease or otherwise no more than half of the residential apartment to another person’s use for residential purposes if this does not cause the lessor significant inconvenience or disturbance.
In any other event, the tenant shall not assign the apartment or any part of it to another person’s use without consent thereto expressed in the lease agreement or given separately by the lessor.

Section 26
Prohibited stipulations concerning the use, condition and maintenance of the apartment and liability
Any stipulation restricting the tenant’s rights under sections 16-25 to obtain possession of the apartment, to use it, to assign the apartment or part thereof for another person’s use, to require that the apartment be in the condition laid down in law or agreed, to rescind the agreement or gain exemption from payment of rent or a rent reduction, or to obtain compensation, or which makes the liability of the ten-ant, or of the person to whom the tenant has assigned the apartment or part thereof, for any damage to the facilities designated for residential purposes greater than that laid down in this chapter, shall be null and void.

[Kutittaa]

Yes however the landlord has just as much right to kick the tenant out for whatever reason as long as he/she/they give them enough warning that they are to leave. My last landlord gave us 5 months notice that they wanted the apartment back after our lease. You can't argue with that, reasons aside and residency status aside it's a landlords right to want the place back, they don't even have to disclose a reason.

Forcing you out whilst you still have a binding contract however is a TOTALLY different story. If Rodwen and her husband are close to the end of their tenancy then they are going whether they like it or not. Unless they can somehow change their landlords mind. If the landlord is trying to push them out before their contact is over then either the tenants (Rodwen and her husband) are awarded their bond back plus reimbursement + they have to be given at least a months notice. Or they are allowed to stay regardless, if Rodwen's husband at any time loses his right to stay in Finland legally then his tenancy is also void and thus the contract is void.

So the question is, are Rodwen and her husband close to the end of their tenancy period (retrospectively meaning they are going either way)?
Or is their landlord trying to give them the boot because Rodwen's husband is in legal limbo?

[onkko]

Yes however the landlord has just as much right to kick the tenant out for whatever reason as long as he/she/they give them enough warning that they are to leave.

You are wrong in here. Read 56§

Section 56
Protection of a tenant against illegal notice on a non-fixed-term lease
The court shall, at the tenant’s request, declare notice given by the lessor ineffective if: 1) the grounds for giving notice consist of revision of the rent or of a stipulation on determining the rent and the requested rent or stipulation on determining the rent would be considered unreasonable under section 30; or
2) the notice must be considered otherwise unreasonable in view of the tenant’s circumstances and there is no justifiable reason for termination.
A suit for declaring notice ineffective shall be brought while the lease is in effect and no later than three months after the notice notification was received. During the court
proceedings, the lease shall continue in force on its previous terms.
If the tenant’s suit for declaring notice ineffective is sustained, the lease shall continue in force on its previous terms unless the court decides otherwise at the tenant’s or lessor’s request. If the court rejects the tenant’s suit, it shall state in its decision the date on which the lease shall be terminated by the notice given and require the tenant to move out thereupon.