Residence Permit

ChanceAnderson · Post by **ChanceAnderson** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 8:15 am

Hello! I was wondering if someone could explain the process a little better on how I can apply for resideny via my Finnish Wife. I'm currently living in America and she is back in Finland. I'm going to apply from America and I have the correct application papers. My wife is sending me her papers, and once I have all the papers together I know that I have to take them to a Finnish embassy. However Im unclear on how long the Permit will take to approve, also do I have to book an appointment at the Embassy? I would like to be in Finland with my wife as soon as possible so all input is extremely appreciated! Thank you.

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Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 9:05 am

ChanceAnderson wrote:Hello! I was wondering if someone could explain the process a little better on how I can apply for resideny via my Finnish Wife. I'm currently living in America and she is back in Finland. I'm going to apply from America and I have the correct application papers. My wife is sending me her papers, and once I have all the papers together I know that I have to take them to a Finnish embassy. However Im unclear on how long the Permit will take to approve, also do I have to book an appointment at the Embassy? I would like to be in Finland with my wife as soon as possible so all input is extremely appreciated! Thank you.

And your citizenship is? If you hold US passport, then the asap route is to fly to Finland and apply at your local police station.

"Customer service for passports and residence permits: Mon-Fri 9.00 am-12.00 pm (passi.was@formin.fi)."
http://www.finland.org/public/default.a ... ture=en-US

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 9:19 am

But - do you want to "be with your wife" or "do you want to function in society"? Because the two are mutually exclusive in the case you come to Finland to apply. Basically, you are a "tourist" as long as your permit is being processed - meaning no for anything you ask can you do. No work, No bank account, No immigrant Finnish classes, No unemployment benefits, No bus pass, No and No. And due to the warp in the composition of the universe, the mysterious time dilation when you apply in Finland can take 6 months or over when applying from overseas is 2-3 months... whereas having a RP card in your pocket when you land you can prance into the employment office and sign into integration class day one and start finding a job. You ask yourself do you really really really want?

regalswan · Post by **regalswan** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:21 pm

It is true that the answer is no to quite a lot of things you might want while here if you were to come over as a US Citizen, but there are some advantages to coming over and then applying for the residence permit.

You can get a bank account and you can contact employers in search of employment, you just can't begin working until you obtain your permit. That is unless you can be considered an expert in some field (usually requires a degree and salary > 3000€ per month), in which case you would be able to start working as long as you were still here legally (so until your 3 months of visa waiver expired). It also might speed up the process if you were applying as an expert with family ties versus just family ties, but I certainly don't know for sure.

You can get a bus pass, you just can't get the discounted one (extra 20 to 50€ for a full month pass). You can also start taking Finnish courses at a number of places for around 50€ per 8 classes or so...the prices really aren't bad.

If you are a US Citizen and you plan on moving here, coming over to start the process here isn't a bad idea. If you are comfortable without an income for some months and are able to go without for at least 6... it really depends on what skills you would bring in this job market.

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 3:36 pm

regalswan wrote:It also might speed up the process if you were applying as an expert with family ties versus just family ties, but I certainly don't know for sure.

Find a form for that kind of application: http://www.migri.fi/services/_applicati ... tion_forms
Hint: it doesn't exist. There is OLE_MUU, but I'd hazard a guess, that you would do better with OLE_PH1 or OLE_TY2 alone. Less thinking, more filling the blanks with acceptable answers.

ChanceAnderson · Post by **ChanceAnderson** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 7:25 pm

Pursuivant wrote:But - do you want to "be with your wife" or "do you want to function in society"? Because the two are mutually exclusive in the case you come to Finland to apply. Basically, you are a "tourist" as long as your permit is being processed - meaning no for anything you ask can you do. No work, No bank account, No immigrant Finnish classes, No unemployment benefits, No bus pass, No and No. And due to the warp in the composition of the universe, the mysterious time dilation when you apply in Finland can take 6 months or over when applying from overseas is 2-3 months... whereas having a RP card in your pocket when you land you can prance into the employment office and sign into integration class day one and start finding a job. You ask yourself do you really really really want?

Thanks that's exactly the answer I was looking for. I just got back from 87 days in Finland so I've found that being around my wife is amazing, but If we wan't a better life together in Finland it's best and quickest if I apply from the United States. I can make money over here. I'm about to take on my second job so I'll be fine when it comes to money. I was just worried that there would be a 6+ month wait on the residency while I'm here in America. I'm going to apply within the next few weeks so It's good to know I could be back as soon as february! Thanks for the help!

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Wed Nov 07, 2012 11:40 pm

regalswan wrote: That is unless you can be considered an expert in some field (usually requires a degree and salary > 3000€ per month), in which case you would be able to start working as long as you were still here legally (so until your 3 months of visa waiver expired).

???

interleukin · Post by **interleukin** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 12:09 am

Uh, I agree with Rip, you're just making stuff up as you go regalswan?

Good job OP, deciding to make the application from home and waiting there. I know it sucks to be away from your loved one (been there, done that due to work), but living like a helpless non-resident and wasting money for what can take up to a year (although it's very unlikely with you being from that part of the world), is not a great way to start a life together either.

ritan7471 · Post by **ritan7471** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 8:47 am

deleted, because I can't figure out quoting and wrote another message

ritan7471 · Post by **ritan7471** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 8:48 am

Clearly I haven't figured out quoting yet. Sorry Chance!

I just wanted to say that my application submitted in the US last March was approved in April so it's not guaranteed a 6 month wait. They did tell me 6 months at the Consulate in L.A., but also said it could go more quickly, and it did!

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 9:36 am

ritan7471 wrote: I just wanted to say that my application submitted in the US last March was approved in April so it's not guaranteed a 6 month wait. They did tell me 6 months at the Consulate in L.A., but also said it could go more quickly, and it did!

Actually, what at least Pursuivant just said is that applications submitted abroad are often approved faster than those submitted in Finland (and Helsinki has often been particularly bad among Finnish towns in this respect).

ritan7471 · Post by **ritan7471** » Thu Nov 08, 2012 10:18 am

I saw what he said, but thought I would share my experience.

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