Income requirement and Finnish banks, etc.

Vermillion Sky · Post by **Vermillion Sky** » Fri Jul 01, 2016 4:07 pm

Alright, I'm moving to Finland soon in October, and one of the requirements I'm most concerned with is the income requirement.

Being a foreigner, obviously I'll not have a job for some time since I need to learn the language ( already have a head start with this ). But as I've worked in the US for almost 20 years, I've saved up quite a bit of money , which is readily accessible anywhere I go. Already visited Finland earlier this year.

I read on the migri site that personal savings is acceptable, but I'm wondering if my bank statements would work as it shows them I have money to tied me over. Even after euro conversion. Reason being is that I'm finding most Finnish Banks wont let you open an account unless... you already have a resident permit. I do have a contact in Finland(the reason I am moving there) but they are not sure if it will work. Need something concrete. Don't want to apply for a permit and run into a decline because "Your money needs to be in one of our banks here, sorry", as I'm screwed if I can't stay there.

**Sponsor:**

Flossy1978 · Post by **Flossy1978** » Sat Jul 02, 2016 11:00 am

So. Do you have a resident permit to even live in Finland? Or are you coming over on a 3 month Visa, hoping to apply and get a resident permit?

As a foreigner with little Finnish, unless you have some wonderful specialist skills or friends/family/contacts, you won't find a job. It is like winning the lottery if you find one. The country is in a downwards spiral, like a lot of the EU. If you find a job, it will probably take a long time.

I am jot sure having savings will get you a resident permit.

rinso · Post by **rinso** » Sat Jul 02, 2016 11:39 am

Vermillion Sky wrote:Alright, I'm moving to Finland soon in October, and one of the requirements I'm most concerned with is the income requirement.

Being a foreigner, obviously I'll not have a job for some time since I need to learn the language ( already have a head start with this ). But as I've worked in the US for almost 20 years, I've saved up quite a bit of money , which is readily accessible anywhere I go. Already visited Finland earlier this year.

I read on the migri site that personal savings is acceptable, but I'm wondering if my bank statements would work as it shows them I have money to tied me over. Even after euro conversion. Reason being is that I'm finding most Finnish Banks wont let you open an account unless... you already have a resident permit. I do have a contact in Finland(the reason I am moving there) but they are not sure if it will work. Need something concrete. Don't want to apply for a permit and run into a decline because "Your money needs to be in one of our banks here, sorry", as I'm screwed if I can't stay there.

I'm getting the feeling that you're burning your bridges behind you. Not a good plan.
Getting a job as a foreigner without perfect language skills is very difficult (unless you're a niche specialist).
And the longer you're out of a job, the less attractive you become for an employer.

Yes, opening a bank account can be tricky. And even if you get an account you might not get internet access immediately.

Vermillion Sky · Post by **Vermillion Sky** » Sat Jul 02, 2016 5:00 pm

No burning bridges or "on the run" or anything like that. The only thing I had to do was quit my job. I can always get rehired if things don't work out.

Long story short, I'm trying to marry my fiance. I'm just wanting to know the answer to my question. If it derails into why I should not do this and why Finland is bad, etc, don't bother because this is what I want to do.

Well aware of what's going on over there.

Beep_Boop · Post by **Beep_Boop** » Sat Jul 02, 2016 7:59 pm

To answer your question, we'll first have to know what is the residence permit type to which you're applying. That's why people are asking you the reason for coming to Finland.

Vermillion Sky · Post by **Vermillion Sky** » Sat Jul 02, 2016 8:11 pm

The one for marriage, I guess that falls under Family ties.

Flossy1978 · Post by **Flossy1978** » Sun Jul 03, 2016 1:11 am

Then really, I don't think your financial situation is included, if your reason is to come to Finland to marry.

Have you met your Fiancé? Can you prove your relationship? Have you lived with her, etc? Those are questions you will be asked to prove. I am not sure your finances have anything to do with this. I never had to prove mine when I got married and applied for a Resident Permit.

Oh, if you have savings..... Hopefully it is a whole lot

There are never enough savings for foreigners who move to Finland, hoping to get a job at some point

Good luck

betelgeuse · Post by **betelgeuse** » Sun Jul 03, 2016 3:52 am

Vermillion Sky wrote:The one for marriage, I guess that falls under Family ties.

You will only get one if you are already married or have cohabited for two years. Neither of these permit require you to prove your means of support. Under the other category it's possible to apply for a intent to marry permit.

http://www.migri.fi/coming_to_finland_on_other_grounds

Vermillion Sky wrote: I read on the migri site that personal savings is acceptable, but I'm wondering if my bank statements would work as it shows them I have money to tied me over. Even after euro conversion.

Foreign bank account statements are acceptable. That's, for example, how students do it (same criteria apply to all permits that require proof of income).

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

Vermillion Sky · Post by **Vermillion Sky** » Sun Jul 03, 2016 4:41 pm

Thanks, that's what I wanted to know. We talked this over a lot, making sure all information is correct and nothing missing, and I wanted this squared away before going over there.

Flossy: We've been together 5 months, and have met already. I stayed a week there, and she stayed a week with me(it being her first time to the US). It hasn't been easy but we'll do what we can to stay together. Long distance relationships have to have an end goal to be physically together on a permanent basis. It was I that made the sacrifice to move over to her. Proof I have is skype logs, flight tickets, some other things. And if they want long stories, I have that too because I pretty much turned her whole life around, what we did when we were together in the same place, etc, which is a long story.. As for ' awhole lot of saving': Compared to the average american who doesn't think about retirement at an early age.. I think I am fine.

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