New requirements for family reunification candidates in Finland have come into effect on June 16, the majority of which concern the age of spouses and minors, as well as the period of residence requirement for such applicants.
According to a press release by the Finnish Immigration Service, these legislative amendments and new requirements are part of the government’s efforts to promote the integration of migrants into Finnish society and prevent the exploitation of vulnerable categories such as minors, Schengen.News reports.
These changes will apply to applications submitted on and after June 15, while applications filed previously will remain unaffected. Candidates applying for extending permits on the grounds of family reunification who submitted after the new changes, but were granted a permit earlier, will also not be subject to these changes.
Finland Introduces Minimum Age Limit for Candidates & Their Spouses Applying for Family Reunification
Candidates applying for residence permits in terms of family reunification, as well as their spouse, have to be at least 21 years old to be eligible for a positive decision.
One of the exemptions that the Finnish government makes regarding this is if the spouses have children in their joint custody. In that case, a residence permit application as the child’s parent or guardian can be submitted even though the parent is under 21 years of age.
The minimum age requirement must be met when the residence permit becomes valid. This requirement does not apply to a sponsor who is a Finnish citizen. However, the spouse of a Finnish citizen must be aged 21 or over. This means, for example, that a permit may be granted to the 21-year-old spouse of a 20-year-old Finnish citizen.
These changes were announced by the Finnish authorities in Maywhen the Finnish Parliament approved tighter rules on applicants for family-based residence permits. As mentioned earlier, the new changes were introduced in an effort to limit migration and create an environment where residents are financially supported.
New Financial & Residence Period Requirement for Some Categories of Migrants in Finland Effective Starting This Week
The new rules also include changes regarding the financial resources for family members of minors. Income is required if the child has only subsidiary or temporary protection, or if other family members, rather than their parents, are applying.
On the other hand, no income requirement applies for family members of unaccompanied minor refugees, as well as older family members applying within three months of the sponsor’s asylum decision.
Moreover, sponsors, indicating refugees or those with subsidiary protection, must be living in Finland for at least two years before any of their family members can apply for a residence permit.
Old family members who had lived together with the sponsor before coming to Finland are exempted from this requirement, as well as in cases when it is in the children’s best interest or for those presenting compelling reasons, do not have to be living in the country for the required time, as previously mentioned.