I need help on moving to Finland

[Kutittaa]

It doesn't matter what scores you think you have for Uni.. you're talking about going to a Uni on the other side of the planet. Not everyone recognises 'Harvard' as one of the best Universities anyway, just more or less one that people talk the most about. Besides, not even 18 and you think you have scores to get into 'Harvard? Oh Please...

Ok. So what exactly do you want help in doing?

You could start by telling us how long you have been with your Finnish girlfriend as well as if she is happy to marry you to make both your lives a lot easier. In terms of coming to Finland anyway. If you've been together for 2 years and you can PROVE IT. Remember nothing matters unless you can prove it. Then no need to get married. Simply provide proof. Already stated what that is. Bank statement, utility bills, etc. Remember your wife has to have Finnish citizenship. If your father can get Finnish citizenship then you can apply for it based on the fact that your dad is. Though there might be a time you have to wait in between? I dunno, ask RIP or one of the geniuses here.

After that the best thing you can do is call these guys: http://www.finland.org/Public/Default.aspx
Phone numbers are at the top in small text. Tell them your situation EXACTLY they are there to help you.
BUT!!! YOU CALL THE CONSULATE! NOT THE EMBASSY! THE EMBASSY IS FOR FINNISH CITIZENS! If you call Embassy they will just say "Call consulate please."
So call either Consulate in Los Angeles or New York. Whichever is closer.

Tell them everything. They will be able to email you the forms you need. Though they are busy and at least the person in the consulate in Australia forgot to email me my documents. You should be able to find them online anyway. There is form for if you are married and also for if you have proof of 2 years cohabitation. Or maybe it is same form. Print like 5 or 10 out, practise. You will make tons of mistakes filling them out. Maybe you can't even fill it all yet if you don't have all the circumstances. But it's fine.

Coming into Finland on study permit and then marrying so you can stay is not seen as a good thing to do. Either walk in with a proper residency permit. Which lets you do basically ANYTHING. You get health care and a bunch of other stuff. Or come as a student and then go back home after. It's far easier to come with a proper permit. On top of that, don't expect to get employed without one.

Apply for a residency permit after you are married or when you can prove that you have 2 years cohabitation. Send the forms and wait patiently for a response.
If it's a yes, come to Finland. If it's a no, then don't.

Your wife will have to completely 110% commit to you being totally defenceless when it comes to living here. Regardless of how much you think you can speak Finnish as well as a ton of other things. Coming to Finland and spending your savings is a very bad idea. You will burn through money very fast. I mean this in the way of you coming without the permit, and then getting one here. You will be in legal limbo, no benefits no health care no nothing. If you make a mistake it costs everything you have. On top of that you have nothing to do except to wait and spend a ton of money doing nothing.. not the best idea for me. Finland has a saying it goes like this:



After you arrive, apply for the integration scheme at Työkkäri and immediately ask if you can work anywhere. It's part of your plan that you have to work a minimum of 3 months. So the faster you get that done the better. Not only that but it's the fastest way to get paid anything while you wait for things to move along. Getting assimilated into Finland is all about waiting.

I don't know how much of Finland your future wife/whatever knows about Finland. But she better be able to speak Finnish and she better have an understanding of Kela and the processes that are mandatory to living here or you are going to be in for making a big mistake. After you walk in, register with the police station as well. Get a population number. You can't do anything without one, no Kela, no bank no nothing without one. After that apply for a Kela card, and also apply for a bank card as well. When you get your first work or first payment you might want to apply for a tax card. You can have a low tax rate ONE TIME ONLY. Choose it wisely. Try and get a good paying job or something before taking your shot at a lower rate of tax. Don't waste that shot, it's potentially a lot more money monthly than without it.

On top of that research as much as you can about Uni, try and convince everyone that you have a plan and that you aren't helpless. So obviously don't be helpless... when in doubt and if questioned about something simply insist 'that is the way it is'. Most people wont question otherwise.

You will learn soon enough that no matter how cocksure you may be or how much you think you know, that living here is a lot different to holidaying here... though I am sure that it is better than the US LOL. Anything is better than the US.

If you need anything specific after this then ask specifically. Otherwise, the reason why I didn't reply to your PM is so I don't have to repeat the exact same thing to the next person who walks in.

[Sial]

@kutitaa

In your later post in the same thread, you said why you want to be in finland, why not sweden or norway etc..
just curious to know that why you recommend sweden or norway over finland?

(sorry for the offtopic question)

[kjscot2]

Well what forms should I apply while I'm still within my country? What should I apply for? Well how would I get insurance and what would you advise me to do?

Proof of health insurance from the US is difficult to get because Congress adjusts the insurance rates each year through new legislation. First time I came I had to prepay for the remainder of the year and then get a statement from my health insurance company saying that I had insurance through such and such date with the possibility of renewal. You'll need to figure out something similar or you won't be granted a RP. It won't matter if you study at UNI here, the consulate will still want you to have health insurance from the US secured for at least one year after your date of arrival.

[Spencer2704]

So I've done more research thanks to everyone. So I was wondering is it possible to get married in Finland at age 17 with parental consent? I'm not sure if there is any way around the marriage over 18 thing. So if someone could please help that would be great

[onkko]

So I've done more research thanks to everyone. So I was wondering is it possible to get married in Finland at age 17 with parental consent? I'm not sure if there is any way around the marriage over 18 thing. So if someone could please help that would be great

There is, "due special circumstances with parental consent AND permission from Ministry of justice." contact them and ask what kind of forms and red tape there is. http://www.om.fi/en/Etusivu/Yhteystiedot

[Rip]

So I've done more research thanks to everyone. So I was wondering is it possible to get married in Finland at age 17 with parental consent? I'm not sure if there is any way around the marriage over 18 thing. So if someone could please help that would be great

There is, "due special circumstances with parental consent AND permission from Ministry of justice." contact them and ask what kind of forms and red tape there is. http://www.om.fi/en/Etusivu/Yhteystiedot

Even if it would be possible I would not take it at all granted it changes the situation regarding applying for residence permit (while under-age)

[Spencer2704]

Even if it would be possible I would not take it at all granted it changes the situation regarding applying for residence permit (while under-age)

OH sorry forgot to explain... This is what I was thinking: Get married at 17 (In Finland) on her and I's second year anniversary ( 16-4-13) fly back to the US wait a few months to turn 18. Then while I'm still here apply for the residence permit.

[Upphew]

OH sorry forgot to explain... This is what I was thinking:

Brave thing to do... thinking and migrating to Finland don't fit together. At least you think aloud, so your ideas can be shot down.

[EP]

Sorry if I sound patronizing, but what do your parents think of your plans? And her parents, what do they say?

[Kutittaa]

I don't plan anything this 'detailed or complicated' more than about 6 or so months (1 year max) in advance. Things like Uni and such deserve this much planning because they can be thought out logically and have less 'variables' than when compared to 'marriage' and 'immigration'.

I still think that you are thinking waaaaaay to far ahead of yourself or your 'future wife'.

My advice, get married and then come back again
Otherwise you're in for a long waiting time no matter what path you choose...

[Spencer2704]

OH sorry forgot to explain... This is what I was thinking:

Brave thing to do... thinking and migrating to Finland don't fit together. At least you think aloud, so your ideas can be shot down.

Well I can't currently have a plan until I think about this correct? I need advice on what to do... I'm going to migrate to Finland but I'm just thinking about how to do it at the moment not making a plan because things could change regarding laws and new policies, also I don't know everything about how to do it so I need help. This is quite a while away so I need to make sure I have everything in order before I start the process.

[Upphew]

Well I can't currently have a plan until I think about this correct? I need advice on what to do... I'm going to migrate to Finland but I'm just thinking about how to do it at the moment not making a plan because things could change regarding laws and new policies, also I don't know everything about how to do it so I need help. This is quite a while away so I need to make sure I have everything in order before I start the process.

Then plan for a reason to get RP in Finland: study, work, family.
http://www.migri.fi/netcomm/default.asp?language=EN

[vagrant]

Hi,
application for residence permit is straightforward for you (after >18) if your father or grandfather are native finnish citizens (they could hold other nationality at present) .

"Descendants of native Finnish citizens
People who have never themselves been Finnish citizens but whose parent or grandparent is or has been a native Finnish citizen, can be granted a residence permit in Finland on this basis. "

http://www.migri.fi/netcomm/content.asp ... ,2475,2524

If above is correct for you do not need to have proof of financial support during you studies, you also will get KELA (insurance) and could attend free "integration" courses, e.g. finnish language or professional education.
Call nearest finnish consulate for more information.
Good luck