Remigration Visa Questions

[postimies7]

I think I am likely 'pushing it' in terms of meeting requirements for this visa but thinking I might want to give it a shot.

I have recently been thinking about attempting a move to Finland. When looking at the Migri website and browsing the visa options, I noticed the 'Returnee / Remigration' visa. It appears to be that if you are a descendant of a Finnish citizen at birth (father / grandfather), that you would qualify for some sort of 'remigration' visa. The trick with my situation is that while my grandfather was not born in Finland, his father was. My great-grandfather was born in Finland in 1895 and immigrated to America in 1920. My grandfather was born in 1928, prior to my great-grandfather becoming a US Citizen. Subsequently, my great-grandfather became a US Citizen in 1948.

I am thinking of submitting my application to Migri (including all birth certificates, marriage certs, death certs, etc.) and making the argument that my grandfather was a Finnish citizen at birth because his father was a Finnish citizen at the time of his birth.

Is this stretching the rules too much?

[browndude]

If your grandfather was born in the USA, then he is a US citizen and not a Finnish citizen by birth-I don't think he would have qualified as a Finnish citizen since Finland did not allow dual-citizenship back then. You can certainly submit the application and see what happens I suppose.

[betelgeuse]

If your grandfather was born in the USA, then he is a US citizen and not a Finnish citizen by birth-I don't think he would have qualified as a Finnish citizen since Finland did not allow dual-citizenship back then. You can certainly submit the application and see what happens I suppose.

Did you verify the legislation from those old days? Finland has for a long time allowed dual citizenship at birth but no idea what the situation was back then.

“Myös ennen vuotta 2003 kaksoiskansalaisuus oli mahdollinen joissakin tilanteissa. Näin oli esimerkiksi silloin, kun lapsi sai syntyessään Suomen ja jonkin toisen valtion kansalaisuuden. ”

https://intermin.fi/maahanmuutto/kansal ... aisuudesta

[heretostay]

This question has been asked on the forum here many times over the years I have been following it but I dont think we have ever had anyone report back if they were successful or not. If you do decide to apply, please kindly return to this thread and report back whether or not your application was approved.

[paluumuuttaja]

I remigrated end of 2021. My grandmother was Finnish, and left in 1917 right before Independence.
Anyone else make it?

[pippimonster]

I remigrated end of 2021. My grandmother was Finnish, and left in 1917 right before Independence.
Anyone else make it?

I am beginning my application process now. My grandmother was born in Finland in 1901 and moved to the US in 1926. I remember when I was younger they required one parent or two grandparents, so I was happy to see I now qualify.
Did they keep your passport the entire time they were processing your application or did they return it to you? I would like to have it to travel and am worried I may not be able to.

[JPellikka]

May I ask how long the process was for you? I know that the Finnish Immigration site says typically 12 months and I’m trying to plan when exactly to apply. I am aiming to go in September of 2026.

[FinlandGirl]

I know that the Finnish Immigration site says typically 12 months and I’m trying to plan when exactly to apply. I am aiming to go in September of 2026.

The application form asks when you plan to move to Finland, there is no problem if you get a positive decision earlier.

[PortlandFinn]

I applied with these exact same criteria having Finnish great grandparents. I had to fly from Portland to LA to apply at the Consulate in March. You must submit the application in person for fingerprinting and ID verification and pay the fee--over $600, based on exchange rates. At that time the official told me the application processing time would be 9 months, or in December. I dutifully get a notice each month, around the same date, saying the application is not yet reviewed. It's fair, and I trust this is honest information. What's not entire clear is how people who could quality in the category will be processed. I would love to hear if others have done this. It was not the easiest thing to figure out, but the possibility is clearly explained on the Migri website.

[NansDrivel]

I applied with these exact same criteria having Finnish great grandparents. I had to fly from Portland to LA to apply at the Consulate in March. You must submit the application in person for fingerprinting and ID verification and pay the fee--over $600, based on exchange rates. At that time the official told me the application processing time would be 9 months, or in December. I dutifully get a notice each month, around the same date, saying the application is not yet reviewed. It's fair, and I trust this is honest information. What's not entire clear is how people who could quality in the category will be processed. I would love to hear if others have done this. It was not the easiest thing to figure out, but the possibility is clearly explained on the Migri website.

And you were approved after applying through a GREAT grandparent? Migri states:

You may get a residence permit if at least one of your parents or grandparents is or has been a Finnish citizen by birth.

I've never seen anywhere that states you can apply if your great grandparent was a Finnish citizen. When did you get approved?

[PortlandFinn]

My post noted the timeline for when I would hear from Migri, in December. The issue from a legal perspective is how citizenship status would be interpreted by Finnish law and a review by officials based on submitted documents/materials. A strong application matters in everything you do in the legal arena. That is also the subjective aspect of law that awaits an outcome. I can't find materials about this. I have worked in U.S. law earlier in my career, and what is clear is that all laws when applied to any case are subject to review by the parties that do them. So I await news what people have learned from actual efforts like one I undertook. How was the law actually applied based on cases.

[JPellikka]

I applied with these exact same criteria having Finnish great grandparents. I had to fly from Portland to LA to apply at the Consulate in March. You must submit the application in person for fingerprinting and ID verification and pay the fee--over $600, based on exchange rates. At that time the official told me the application processing time would be 9 months, or in December. I dutifully get a notice each month, around the same date, saying the application is not yet reviewed. It's fair, and I trust this is honest information. What's not entire clear is how people who could quality in the category will be processed. I would love to hear if others have done this. It was not the easiest thing to figure out, but the possibility is clearly explained on the Migri website.

Please let us know when you hear. I have my appointment at the Consulate in New York next month.

[lolp]

It’s a thoughtful approach, but it might be stretching the criteria a bit. Finnish citizenship laws can be quite strict about direct lineage and timing of citizenship transmission. Since your grandfather was born after your great-grandfather left Finland but before naturalizing in the US, there could be an argument—but it’s not guaranteed. Submitting a complete application with all documents and a clear explanation is definitely worth a try. You might also consider consulting an immigration lawyer or contacting Migri directly for guidance before applying.