US Citizen Marrying Finnish Citizen

[wordwizard]

My boyfriend and I have been dating for a few years now, seeing each other when he comes to the US for conferences, and when I go to Europe to visit him. We are ready to make this a permanent arrangement (get married). We are both older adults (30+). He is gainfully employed in Finland, although he has applied for a job in the U.S. If he gets that, no problem. If not, he will be staying in Helsinki, and I would like to move there.

Is it better for us to get married in the States, or should I wait until I am in Helsinki visiting him? If we get married in the States, what in particular do we need from his end (I am once divorced, he is never married)? A link would be helpful, too.

I am not so worried about benefits in Finland, except for medical coverage (I have RRMS and take medication) that I would lose when I leave my current job.

Any practical advice would be greatly appreciated as we try to navigate this confusing red tape.

Thank you!

[Rip]

Is it better for us to get married in the States, or should I wait until I am in Helsinki visiting him?

Certainly here, and I guess there too, you (either you or him) could start applying for the residence permit sooner if you get married first. Otherwise it should not make a difference.

If we get married in the States, what in particular do we need from his end (I am once divorced, he is never married)? A link would be helpful, too.

Why is an American asking about American formalities from Finns? Your rules, not ours. If you don't know, ask there.
If you get married there, then afterwards the instructions for registering the marriage with Finnish authorities are here: http://www.suomi.fi/suomifi/suomi/asioi ... index.html

[BlueWeb]

Hi, I am also an American who is married to a Finn. We got married in the States, lived there for 5 years and then moved to Finland some 7 years ago. If you want to get married in the States, then you will need to apply for a fiance visa first. That means that you must fill out some papers and submit them to the USCIS. He will have to have some medical exams and other things done, submit them to the US consulate and make a visit to the US embassy in Finland, blah blah blah. Then they must approve the application. There is a good website documenting that procedure here:

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/e ... e-k-1.html

If you do not do this beforehand, you will likely encounter problems. The US does not like it if you try to marry someone while they are visiting on a tourist visa (e.g. including the 3 month time that they can be in the US "visa-free") and then apply for the documents afterwards. I won't say that it wouldn't work, but you would encounter significantly more issues than if you just go through the fiance visa process. Once the visa is granted, you will have 4 months in which to marry him after he has entered the US before the visa expires and he needs to leave. After the marriage, you can then apply for the residence permits (work permits, green card, etc.) You will need to go to USCIS and sumbit to interviews (where they will ask you private questions about the other person; how you met, why you got married, what kind of things they like, how long you've been dating, etc.....to determine that you aren't trying to commit visa fraud.) Once married, you will then need to submit your marriage certificate and other documents to the Finnish consulate in the US so that they can have the marriage registered in Finland as well.

Getting married in Finland is much easier. You can come here on the normal tourist visa (incl. the 3 month "visa free" time) and marry him. And then belatedly go to the police station and apply for the residence permit based on marriage. So, in that way it is easier to get married in Finland. Also, if you ended up moving to Finland, once you provided all the required documents and receive your permits, you will fall under the socialized medicine umbrella with your Finnish SSN and receive your medical coverage that way. Below is a link for information regarding the process of moving to Finland (you can also apply for a visa beforehand based on a "personal relationship", but since you have not been living together with him before, they would very likely reject that application.) If you married him once you arrived here, then you would follow this procedure:

http://www.migri.fi/moving_to_finland_t ... artnership

In regards to RRMS, once it is verified and confirmed with doctors, Kela (the Finnish socialized medicine organization) assists with the purchase of the required drugs to control the disease. (Although, I admit that I am not sure how it works if you enter the system already having had the disease, but ultimately, I don't think it would affect your coverage once you receive your residence permit and SSN.)

[wordwizard]

Blueweb,

Thank you for your very informative reply. Lots of good information from someone who has already been through it all. I think the timing of the whole thing is what we were wanting to make sure to do "right".

On a personal note, how are you enjoying your life in Finland? I'm from SE Louisiana and so unsure of the cold weather! I did get to spend two weeks in Lapland this Christmas with him and his family, and that wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined, but then again, 2 weeks is nothing like 6+ months of cold! I get whiny when it drops into the 40's here in Louisiana

[Upphew]

that wasn't nearly as bad as I had imagined, but then again, 2 weeks is nothing like 6+ months of cold! I get whiny when it drops into the 40's here in Louisiana

Darkness might be more problematic. With cold you can at least put more clothes.

[wordwizard]

I did find that my sleep schedule was completely fubar after a few days of only having a couple of hours of twilight each day. But, I would have to adapt. Maybe get one of those UV lights or something. I'm actually torn on whether I want him to get the job in the States or not. I'm looking forward to an adventure living in Europe, and being able to visit other friends there more easily than with 15 hours of flying to get from Point A to Point B. But then again, being in the States is easier for me, and he's already being 'accused' by his friends of being 'Americanized'. Apparently, he's showing signs of being social and talkative, even.

[BlueWeb]

Well, I am originally from the Texas panhandle. So, we had snowy and cold (relatively) winters as I was growing up. But of course, also very very hot summers and mild spring/falls. I have to say that I agree with Upphew. The snow doesn't really bother me much, nor the cold (although when it gets down to -15C (5F) ) and lower, it's not very comfortable. It is the darkness that eventually starts to wear on you. However, it isn't quite as dark in southern Finland as in Lapland. Having said that, the summer and fall here are spectacular.

Some other things to consider, the cost of living here is very high. Food, goods, services, etc. are all quite expensive. Especially compared to the southern US. Taxes are also very high, although there is the benefit of very good socialized medicine (and other things) as a counter balance. Finnish can be quite difficult to learn and in the case of employment, can sometimes be essential. You can find a job speaking only English, but during the current economic climate, I would say that it is quite difficult. But if your boyfriend/husband helps out in that area, it could make it slightly easier. You can find direct flights from here to most major European, and many Asian cities, but they are not always cheap (again see cost of living.)

In my opinion, especially if you are going to get married, I think it is important for both people to live in the other person's country for at least some period of time (at least 1-2 years) to get an idea of their culture and background. It is exceedingly useful to have an idea of what they are talking about when they speak about their past, etc. My experience has been that there are many similarities between Finns and Americans, but also very many differences and I really think it was good that we lived in the States before coming here. It gives my wife a reference when I talk about things I miss or that I did as a child, etc.

I am rambling. Anyways, keep us updated!

[wordwizard]

I am trying to learn Finnish (goddarned hard language!), but I am determined to hold a conversation with his mother. She doesn't speak English, although he assures me that I won't have any trouble getting around Helsinki if I don't speak Finnish. He has lived here in the States for about two years (SoCal) before returning to Helsinki. His job is in academics, so he works from grant-to-grant, so in three years or so periods of time. Like mentioned before, he's applied for a faculty position here in the States, but if that doesn't happen, he has a research position still in Helsinki. Whatever happens, happens. We're secure enough financially that I don't have to work. I'm really hoping he gets the position here, of course, and we'll just go back to Helsinki to visit family.

Thank you for taking the time to tell me about your experiences. I will likely end up there at some point, maybe later rather than sooner, and I am looking forward to it.

[Rip]

he has a research position still in Helsinki. Whatever happens, happens. We're secure enough financially that I don't have to work.

I of course don't nearly all the relevant details or what is your intention, but if "financially secure" refers to his income, then expenses are in many ways rather high in Helsinki and salary after tax may be lower than you think.

Basically I'm saying that IF you do not actually KNOW what you're talking about, your idea of things may err on the optimistic side.