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Descendants of native Finnish citizens

People who have never themselves been Finnish citizens but whose parent or grandparent is or has been a native Finnish citizen, can be granted a residence permit in Finland on this basis.

Who can be granted a residence permit?

A permit can be granted to a person if at least one of the parents or grandparents is or has been a Finnish citizen.

The requirement is that the parent or grandparent is a native Finnish citizen. If he or she has later lost Finnish citizenship, for example when applying for the citizenship of another country, this does not constitute an obstacle.

The applicant does not need to show proof of means of support although it is generally required of other applicants for a residence permit. 

Where to apply for the permit?

An application for a residence permit can be submitted either when abroad, prior to arriving in Finland, or after having arrived in Finland. If the application is submitted in Finland, the applicant must meet the general requirements for immigration.

If submitted abroad, the residence permit application is to be delivered to a Finnish diplomatic mission, and if submitted in Finland, to the police for the applicant's municipality of residence. The Finnish Immigration Service, which receives the application documents from the diplomatic mission or the police, decides on the issuing of a residence permit.

What documents are needed?

The application must be made on a form which can be printed out from the section Application forms. A certificate of Finnish origin, i.e. of the fact that at least one of the parents or grandparents is or has been a native Finnish citizen, is also required. An acceptable certificate is, for example, the original birth certificate or marriage certificate of the parent or grandparent, in which the family connection is stated

Is there an application fee?

 When the application is submitted, a fee is charged to cover its processing costs. 

Working during the application period

While the application is pending, the applicant is not allowed to work

For how long is the permit valid?

The permit is granted for four years and it is, by its nature, a continuous permit.

Is the family entitled to enter into Finland?  

If a person of Finnish origin has been granted a continuous or permanent residence permit, his or her family members can acquire a continuous residence permit in Finland. The applicant is not required to show proof of means of support.

The residence permit must usually be applied for prior to arrival in Finland by submitting the application to a Finnish diplomatic mission abroad.

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