Residency Permit - re: Time, Marriage Papers, Fees, Kela.

anotherpunk · Post by **anotherpunk** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 8:57 pm

Terve,
Currently I am a legally residing in the UK on a working visa there from Australia.
My girlfriend who is Finnish is living and studying in Finland.
I am in Finland now staying with her.
TIME is a factor here as I entered Finland a month ago and have 2 months legally here left until I must leave to not break any laws.
We have decided to make it all legal and binding so I can move in with her and start integrating into Finnish culture.
For this to happen I need to marry her.
I have been searching these forums for some clear information. The migri pages offered by Finnish Migration is full of terrible bureaucratic language which isn't always clear and somewhat bewildering.
I am under the impression from what I have read thus far that I can marry her and make all applications for Residency Permit based on Family Ties with the PH2 and PK2 for my girlfriend.
Also I believe I am in need some kind of form from my own government which acts as proof that I am unmarried in any other country.
If anyone knows the name of this document I would love to be enlightened as my first part of this inquire.
Secondly, as an Australian I am unaware of where to obtain this document. I am lead to believe Helsinki has an Australian Consulate, but is that enough?
Do I need to go to an Embassy, of which I believe there is none in Finland and hence I must travel to Stockholm to obtain this document?
Also how long does it take and what is the process of obtaining this...?

The next part of my post is talking about the time in which the the residency permit could take...
Once married after obtaining the aforementioned documents, I then can make claim for a residency permit based of family ties - marriage.
Which is around 425 euros if I'm correct.
Does anyone know / had experience with this and can tell me the usual processing time, that I will be without my passport.
Can I remain in Finland whilst this passes? Can I leave whilst it is processing to take care of things in the UK?

This is now going to be about Kela and gaining access to their Integration Program and Allowance.
Once the residency permit passes I must then apply for Kela to get on track with Integration.
As I do not speak Finnish (I am learning, quickly too.) It will be difficult to gain employment in the beginning.
After the Marriage my girlfriend's student benefits will be cut also as I will move in with her and it would be great to find out how long the process is of gaining benefits and exactly how much money you are eligible for in the beginning with the Integration Program.
Leaving my work in London means that I will be at a loss but it is worth it to be with my girlfriend.
Obviously the transition takes a few years for full integration but I am curious of the initial waiting periods.
If anyone has had any similar experiences or has some knowledge they can give me, I would be super happy to hear it.

Thank you.

**Sponsor:**

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 10:39 pm

anotherpunk wrote: I am under the impression from what I have read thus far that I can marry her and make all applications for Residency Permit based on Family Ties with the PH2 and PK2 for my girlfriend.

Did not check the form names, but basically yes.

Also I believe I am in need some kind of form from my own government which acts as proof that I am unmarried in any other country.
If anyone knows the name of this document I would love to be enlightened as my first part of this inquire.
Secondly, as an Australian I am unaware of where to obtain this document. I am lead to believe Helsinki has an Australian Consulate, but is that enough?
Do I need to go to an Embassy, of which I believe there is none in Finland and hence I must travel to Stockholm to obtain this document?
Also how long does it take and what is the process of obtaining this...?

http://www.sweden.embassy.gov.au/stok/CNI.html
(Am I allowed to say that the web page of the nearest embassy should have been the logical place look for the information...?)

The next part of my post is talking about the time in which the the residency permit could take...
Once married after obtaining the aforementioned documents, I then can make claim for a residency permit based of family ties - marriage.

Correct

Which is around 425 euros if I'm correct.

156€ it seems to read (in the end, this is not in the big picture that important)

Does anyone know / had experience with this and can tell me the usual processing time, that I will be without my passport.

Processing time depends on where and when you apply. Assume it takes at least about two months (you might be luckier than that), and take into account it might take significantly longer than that. I think the norm nowadays is that the police only wants to see (and copy) your passport at the application time. They don't want to keep it.

Can I remain in Finland whilst this passes?

You can stay.

Can I leave whilst it is processing to take care of things in the UK?

You can leave, but if you had already used your visa free time you'd have a problem getting back. I suggest you ask when you submit your application is there a way around this.

This is now going to be about Kela and gaining access to their Integration Program and Allowance.
Once the residency permit passes I must then apply for Kela to get on track with Integration.

(and having a health insurance will be handy too)

As I do not speak Finnish (I am learning, quickly too.) It will be difficult to gain employment in the beginning.

Most likely

After the Marriage my girlfriend's student benefits will be cut also as I will move in with her

Hmm... Bit tricky. It's bit so-so if you need to consider that you really live with her when you don't yet more status than tourist here. It might even take an extra effort to get you actually registered by Maistraatti registrar.

and it would be great to find out how long the process is of gaining benefits and exactly how much money you are eligible for in the beginning with the Integration Program.

http://www.kela.fi/in/internet/english. ... enDocument
See also the general housing benefit. Kela processing time I think is some weeks, KELA coverage you can apply to start from the date you got your RP.

Adrian42 · Post by **Adrian42** » Sat Jan 19, 2013 11:52 pm

Rip wrote:
anotherpunk wrote:Does anyone know / had experience with this and can tell me the usual processing time, that I will be without my passport.
Processing time depends on where and when you apply. Assume it takes at least about two months (you might be luckier than that), and take into account it might take significantly longer than that.

http://migri.fi/services/processing_tim ... amily_ties

rinso · Post by **rinso** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 8:09 am

Rip wrote:
Can I leave whilst it is processing to take care of things in the UK?
You can leave, but if you had already used your visa free time you'd have a problem getting back. I suggest you ask when you submit your application is there a way around this.

You should realize that your right to entry can be checked at the departing airline desk. No right, no flight.

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 8:41 am

Adrian42 wrote: http://migri.fi/services/processing_tim ... amily_ties

Migri processing times are not probably relevant for somebody who applies at local police station and whose application is probably decided by police without referring it to Migri.

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:35 am

anotherpunk wrote: Currently I am a legally residing in the UK on a working visa there from Australia..

Ok, so why not get the paperwork done in the UK? If you have work in the UK, sitting in Finland twiddling your thumbs is kind of... unproductive. Depends on when your UK visa runs out. Also, if your gf came to the UK, you'd be able to get married in a register office without as much fuss. Starting the application in the UK might save time as well.

anotherpunk · Post by **anotherpunk** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 12:35 pm

Thank you for the information provided.
It is possible to get it all done here.
The reason I don't want to spend the time in the UK twiddling my thumbs is I want to be with my girlfriend.
I understand maybe it would be a little easier but as she is studying and working here it isn't easy for her to just up and leave to the UK to get married.
As it is possible to take care of all the matters here, it is reasonable to decide that it is the best course of action.
The only small hurdle is to obtain the CNI papers from the Embassy. Maybe it is possible from just the Australian Consulate in Helsinki.
I will call them.
Kiitos paljon.

cors187 · Post by **cors187** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 5:42 pm

anotherpunk wrote:

You slacker , we have the best online pages in the world.
http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/tips/marriage.html

cors187 · Post by **cors187** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 5:59 pm

anotherpunk wrote: Currently I am a legally residing in the UK on a working visa there from Australia.

TIME is a factor here as I entered Finland a month ago and have 2 months legally here left until I must leave to not break any laws.

The reason I don't want to spend the time in the UK twiddling my thumbs is I want to be with my girlfriend.

Kiitos paljon.

In Finland and probably all EU countries , if your in the country for employment on an employment permit, by not being employed you don't qualify for the reason of staying there?Have you addressed this situations.?

cors187 · Post by **cors187** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 6:23 pm

This is now going to be about Kela and gaining access to their Integration Program and Allowance.
Once the residency permit passes I must then apply for Kela to get on track with Integration.
As I do not speak Finnish (I am learning, quickly too.) It will be difficult to gain employment in the beginning.
After the Marriage my girlfriend's student benefits will be cut also as I will move in with her and it would be great to find out how long the process is of gaining benefits and exactly how much money you are eligible for in the beginning with the Integration Program.
Leaving my work in London means that I will be at a loss but it is worth it to be with my girlfriend.
Obviously the transition takes a few years for full integration but I am curious of the initial waiting periods.
If anyone has had any similar experiences or has some knowledge they can give me, I would be super happy to hear it.

I think the immigrants who are really honest about it say it takes more than a few years of integration, possibly 5 years springs out of those replies.
Ive never been through what your asking in your questions but reading into many threads here there are situations where integration sounds like a waiting list to get into free Finnish language course.

The question about gaining employment in the beginning is highly debatable.I think it depends on your character and hunting skills.Theres jobs here that are immersed in English, just like any other nation.

To be honest, and someone will correct me if i am wrong , but Kela will offer you cheaper cough medicine etc.
there are other benefits i am sure.

ctownfrowner · Post by **ctownfrowner** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 7:29 pm

The CNI paper is easy. Print the form off the internet, call the lady at the Aus consulate in Helsinki, take the form and cash (i forget how much) to her and she will send it off to Sweden for you. You could probably just send it yourself, this is only how i did it. should take 1-2 weeks. then take the CNI to the Maistraattii were they will do some checking, of both you and your wife, to see if you can be married. this will take 1 week. then if all is fine you can arrange a time to married. there is a waiting line, i waited 1 month.

after you have the marriage papers make an appointment at the local police station. they will also have waiting times up to a month. you want to apply for residency due to family ties. all the correct forms are found easily on the finnish immigration site. the cost was something like 150€ if the police make the decision BUT if it has to be sent to immigration to be decided it will be something like 450€.

I handed my application in last august and received my permit in the post on the 7th of jan. hope that gives you an idea of the waiting time but of course every case is different like if they ask you and your wife in for a interview. apparently it is quicker to hand in permit applications from abroad, but i would not know.

when you hand in the permit at the police station they will give you an official document stating you have a permit processing and how long you can stay for. that should give you an idea of the processing time. with this piece of paper you can leave the country and return with no problems. even without the paper it should not be a problem leaving and returning because immigration at the airport can see you have applied for a permit. i found this out first hand trying to leave to thailand with out my paper haha.

if you plan to stay here while the permit is processing, then you must understand that you are only a tourist with an extended visa. you have no right to work and can only see private doctors who cost a fortune. it is tough on your partner aswell having to support two people. but hey i was here for one year waiting for my permits while being supported by my wife. maybe you can take a intensive Finnish course while you wait because without decent finnish expect to work as a dish washer or cleaner.

cant help with the kela information but i wish you both good luck with the process.

Adrian42 · Post by **Adrian42** » Sun Jan 20, 2013 11:39 pm

anotherpunk wrote:We have decided to make it all legal and binding so I can move in with her and start integrating into Finnish culture.

Obviously the transition takes a few years for full integration

All that "integration" sounds a bit too highlevel. For finding a job it basically boils down to learning the Finnish language. It is true that there are several aspects of Finnish culture foreigners have to adapt to, but many things you just learn by living a few months of living in Finland and some details like not doing the Australian way of bragging in a CV are things that don't take much time.

If you are lazy and just do nothing and start learning Finnish in a beginners course only after you got your residence permit following the speed of the courses you will surely need years.

But for quite some time you will now have literally noting to do but sitting at home without being allowed to work. If you spend 10 hours per day learning the Finnish language it is realistic that you will speak Finnish fluently at the day when you will get your residence permit.

People learning Finnish at that intensity and therefore that quickly are rare, but it is possible.

Rip · Post by **Rip** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:28 am

ctownfrowner wrote:when you hand in the permit at the police station they will give you an official document stating you have a permit processing and how long you can stay for. that should give you an idea of the processing time. with this piece of paper you can leave the country and return with no problems. even without the paper it should not be a problem leaving and returning because immigration at the airport can see you have applied for a permit. i found this out first hand trying to leave to thailand with out my paper haha.

This is new to me - so this paper is something that should be recognized both by Schengen border guards (also elsewhere than in Finland) and for example Finnair Bangkok check-in desk?

ctownfrowner · Post by **ctownfrowner** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:27 am

This is new to me - so this paper is something that should be recognized both by Schengen border guards (also elsewhere than in Finland) and for example Finnair Bangkok check-in desk?[/quote]

yes it should be recognized by all schengen border guards, it has some fancy stamp haha. regardless of having the paper or not the passport control/customs/border guards in finland (and i´m guessing other schengen countries) can see right away you have a permit processing. the paper is just further proof and i was told by finnish customs to have it with me while traveling. as for finnair check-in, any where in the world, i don´t think they are interested in anything other then a valid ticket and passport.

Upphew · Post by **Upphew** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 1:02 pm

ctownfrowner wrote:This is new to me - so this paper is something that should be recognized both by Schengen border guards (also elsewhere than in Finland) and for example Finnair Bangkok check-in desk?

yes it should be recognized by all schengen border guards, it has some fancy stamp haha. regardless of having the paper or not the passport control/customs/border guards in finland (and i´m guessing other schengen countries) can see right away you have a permit processing. the paper is just further proof and i was told by finnish customs to have it with me while traveling.[/quote]
_Big_ assumption.

ctownfrowner wrote:as for finnair check-in, any where in the world, i don´t think they are interested in anything other then a valid ticket and passport.

Yes they are. They like to know that you are allowed in to the country you are traveling to. Otherwise it is they who are financially liable to fly you out when customs say "Piss off".

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