Immigration to Finland: the procedure, programs for immigrants, the necessary documents, the pros and cons of moving

Finland is a beautiful Scandinavian country in which the number of migrants is increasing every year. If in the 90s of the last century the number of foreigners in the state did not exceed 20,000 people, then at the moment the situation has changed dramatically and the number of immigrants is hundreds of thousands. Today we will consider how attractive immigration to Finland is, what are the disadvantages in this process. We also separately consider the procedure, forms and program of conditions for the relocation of foreigners to Finland.

Benefits of Relocation

Of course, first of all, deciding to move to a foreign country, you need to consider what are the pros and cons in this process, and also pay attention to some of the nuances of paperwork. To begin, consider the benefits of immigration to Finland:

1. The standard of living of the population is one of the highest among all European states.
2. Citizens incomes are quite high.
3. Crime is characterized by low rates, that is, state policy ensures the safety of the population.
4. Education for citizens is free.
5. The state does not prohibit dual citizenship.
6. Territorial proximity to the Russian Federation.

Disadvantages of staying in Finland

Considering the advantages of moving and living in a Scandinavian state, it is also worth noting the disadvantages.

1. Due to the fact that the work is characterized by a high level of wages, getting an official decent job is not so simple. To obtain a position, an immigrant needs to have a high level of qualification, education, and experience in this field.
2. Tax rates are quite high when compared with the Russian Federation.
3. Finnish is considered one of the most difficult to learn, and the requirement of knowledge of the language is mandatory for obtaining permission to stay in the state.
4. Society is characterized by difficulties in integration, because the indigenous Finns are quite closed, secretive. For many immigrants, this is an obstacle to normal life and communication.
5. The measured and calm life in the state is not suitable for everyone, especially for citizens of the Russian Federation who are accustomed to an active lifestyle.

Types of Permissions

For legal stay in Finland, you need to apply for a residence permit (residence permit), a permit for permanent residence (permanent residence), citizenship of the state. Before obtaining permanent residence, it is necessary to obtain a residence permit, which every foreign citizen can get after crossing the state border. The grounds for registration are: repatriation, family reunion, training, employment, international protection mechanisms.

Until recently, residence permits were issued in the form of stickers that were pasted into a foreign passport. At the moment, a residence permit is expressed in the form of a biometric card, in which information about the owner is concentrated. Under Finnish law, a residence permit gives the right to:

1. Long-term residence within the borders of the state.
2. Free movement in Finland.
3. There is no need to reside in the state. Residence permit gives the right to leave the country, and then re-enter it legally.
4. The right to work in the state.

Residence permit as the first stage of immigration to Finland has a validity period of 1 year, also the owner has the right to renew the document. You can renew the document at any Finnish police station in person. After that, the owner already has the right to obtain permanent residence.

The second stage of immigration to Finland from Russia is obtaining a permanent residence. It has been operating for 4 years. To obtain it, one must guarantee that the grounds for staying in the state have remained unchanged; affirm independence with regard to material well-being; pay a consular fee; know the language.

Citizenship is the final step of immigration to Finland. To obtain it, you must go through the last two stages, as well as:

• permanently stay in the territory of the state for at least 5 years;
• receive legal income;
• know a high level of language (Swedish or Finnish);
• there should be no unpaid fines, debts and loans;
• no criminal record;
• must pay the consular fee.

Training immigration

How to move to permanent residence in Finland on the basis of training? To begin with, we note that on this basis, permission is issued to students who enter a Finnish university, inventors and researchers who intend to obtain a degree. This is due to the fact that Finnish education is distinguished by quality and a high level, therefore later this foundation will provide an opportunity to find a job and stay in the state. There is one feature for Russian citizens: for them, since 2017, training has become paid. Those citizens who come from outside the EU must pay for their tuition, which costs an average of 1,500 euros per year. The main nuances of this program are:

1. To enter a Finnish university, you need a certificate of compulsory secondary education or a university diploma, which must be recognized as valid and valid in the Scandinavian state.
2. It is necessary to confirm the level of knowledge of the English language, if training is planned to take place in this language. That is, the student must have a certificate with a level of knowledge of the language.
3. When applying for a student from a state outside the EU (for example, the Russian Federation), you need to pay a fee of 100 euros.
4. Documents can be submitted to 6 educational programs at the same time.
5. To enroll in a university you must pass exams. As a rule, this is testing in subjects related to a future specialty. At the same time, some universities allow passing exams on the territory of the Russian Federation.

The process of entering a university includes several stages. First you need to decide what university you plan to enroll in, what program to master and in what language. Next, you should familiarize yourself with the requirements put forward by the university for students, the deadlines for submitting documents, and a list of documents.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the description and reviews about immigration to Finland from Russia, namely, about studying at a university.

Business immigration

Over the past decades, Finland has increasingly focused on the economy and welcomes the creation and development of business within its territory. Business immigration to Finland is a rather profitable and good option for integration into Finnish society and obtaining permanent residence. More than 90% of all entrepreneurs are engaged in small business. This is about 250 thousand of the most diverse companies, 6.5 thousand of which are open to Russian citizens.

For citizens of the CIS countries there is one restriction: you need to obtain permission to stay in Finland as an employee or entrepreneur, otherwise it will not be possible to register a company as your own. The best option: apply for a job in your own company, and then apply for a permit, which can be issued in your home country. If the authorities consider your business profitable and see that the funds are enough to implement the idea, you will be given a residence permit with the right to obtain permanent residence in the future. The process of registering a company in the country:

1. Preparation, execution and registration of the constituent document and charter.
2. Opening an account in a Finnish bank, at the expense of which you need to pay the authorized capital.
3. Registration in the Commercial Register. As a result of registration, the company will receive its identification number, this will allow the use of funds in the account until the end of the registration process.
4. Reception of employees and registration of staff. Each employee must be registered in the system of pension, medical insurance, as well as accident insurance.

In order to legally stay in the state while the registration process is in progress, you can apply for a business visa. The application can be submitted at the Consulate located in the Russian Federation. This is one of the most promising immigration programs in Finland, the state encourages this. There are even special courses dedicated to doing business in this country.

Employment

The state is very active in the fight against unemployment, the shortage of highly qualified personnel and workers. You can contact the Bureau of Employment and Economic Development to find work in the state. As a rule, this is seasonal employment. The simplest of all the methods of immigration to Finland is this one. You can simply post your resume on the Internet, the employer will see it and will contact you to clarify the information and paperwork. Foreigners wishing to leave for the state on this basis need to know one of the state languages ​​(Swedish or Finnish) well. The second thing you should pay attention to is the demand for the profession. At the moment, the most sought-after professions are the welder, builder, electrician, furniture maker, driver.

For employment, you need to issue a special residence permit, which you will be told at the consulate. A permit is issued only after confirmation of the fact of employment by the Bureau of Employment and Development. You can read reviews about immigration to Finland and find out some of the nuances of seasonal work in the country by watching the video below.

Family permit

How to move to permanent residence in Finland for family reasons? There is a law in the country that deals exclusively with family reunification issues.

That is, persons residing in other countries are allowed to move to Finland if a relative lives in it. The main thing for a moving person is to prove the expediency of moving and the sufficiency of funds from a Finnish citizen to support an immigrant. To move, you can simply apply for a guest visa, which is later replaced by a residence permit, permanent residence and citizenship. Consider the cases in which you can move on this basis:

1. Marriage. Spouses of Finns, even when it comes to same-sex marriage, are entitled to expedited obtaining a residence permit in Finland and further obtaining citizenship.
2. Children and parents. State laws favorably relate to moving to Finland with children from Russia. For example, children under the age of 18, whose parents are Finnish citizens or have obtained a residence permit, can also count on obtaining permission. The same applies to parents whose children live in Finland.
3. Other relatives. It is noteworthy that Finnish law recognizes not only direct relatives, but also others, if they are dependent on the citizen of the state. For example, a Finn can transport any relative who needs care or who is financially dependent on him.

Package of documents

Immigration to Finland from Russia always begins with the collection of documents. Now we will consider the basic package of documents, then additional packages, depending on the grounds for obtaining permission. The basic package includes:

1. Application form completed in Finnish, with date and signature. The laws allow you to fill out a questionnaire in English or Swedish. If it is a job of a citizen or training, it is advisable to fill out a questionnaire via the Internet, and then print.
2. International passport.
3. Photos - 2 pieces, the prescription of which should not exceed 1 year.
4. Housing warranties are not binding, but may be required. The Department of Migration will tell you the exact information.

Additional documents for permanent residence in Finland may be different, consider them in the form of a table.

Do not forget that in order to leave for permanent residence in Finland from Russia it is necessary to apply for a migration visa. It is she who gives the right to legal entry and stay in the state, and it will also serve as the basis for residence permits and permanent residence.

Child application

Minor children are always a special category of citizens, so the application form may differ from the general order. If the child is not yet 15 years old, then the parent signs the application for him. Applicants between the ages of 15 and 17 years put their signature next to the signature of one of the parents. In addition, a birth certificate is attached to the application form for the Department of Migration. At the same time, it is important to order a state translation of the document into Swedish, English or Finnish as you wish.

If we consider moving to Finland with a 17-year-old child with only mom or dad, then you need the permission of the second parent, who remained in Russia. This applies not only to a 17-year-old child, but also to any minor. In the event that the child travels alone, without parents at all, the permission of both parents is required. It must be executed at most 12 months before the time of the application, certified by a notary public, and also translated. If permission cannot be written, then the reason for the lack of consent must be documented.

The procedure for obtaining permission

How to get to Finland for permanent residence? To obtain the first permission for legal entry and stay in the state, you need to contact the representative of the Finnish Department for Migration in Russia. On the territory of the Russian Federation, this embassy is located in Moscow, the consulate general is located in St. Petersburg, and consulates also operate in Murmansk and Petrozavodsk. You can apply to any of these institutions with a package of documents in person and declare your desire for permission. After submitting the documents you will have to pay a fee that is non-refundable. That is, if you do not get permission, then the money will not be returned.

Within the specified time you will be notified of the decision, if it is positive, you get permission on hand and leave for Finland. On the territory of the state, it will be necessary to determine the basis for extending the permit or issuing a new one. In this case, you must contact the nearest police department, where all documents will be executed.