People thinking about changing their place of residence are often interested in how to emigrate to Finland from Russia. This European state regularly ranks first in the lists of the best countries in the world and is considered the most stable. In addition, it is located very close to Russia (it used to be even part of it) and borders on it in the east. The west and north of Finland are adjacent to other Nordic countries - Sweden and Norway, and also have maritime borders with Estonia.
About Finland
Living conditions in Finland are at such a high level that emigration to this country is very common. Currently, more than 200 thousand migrants live in it, which makes up about 4% of the total population. In addition, about 156 thousand foreigners are present in the country temporarily or have dual citizenship.
There are no hydrocarbon reserves in Finland, its resource is forest tracts, but they are used very rationally. The government encourages the development of high technologies and is engaged in the control of everyday problems of citizens, so the question of how to emigrate to Finland from Russia remains very relevant.
Schengen visa and residence permit
You can stay in Finland if you have a Schengen visa, but if you have to move from Russia to Finland for permanent residence, a visa will not be enough, because it provides an opportunity to stay in the country for no more than 90 days in six months.
To exceed this period of stay, you will need a document called a residence permit. It certifies the identity of a foreigner and is an official permit to be in the country. Citizens of European Union countries do not need a residence permit, but in order to leave to live in Finland from Russia, they need it.
Justification for moving
The first thing to do is to fill out an application at the Embassy of Finland. This can be done if a person:
- married or partnering with someone with a residence permit;
- is a victim of a market selling people;
- in the past was a subject of Finland;
- has blood relatives born in Finland (parents, grandparents);
- is in danger that can be avoided by moving;
- has the status of a citizen of the European Union.
If the conditions for applying are met, then you can expect to receive a residence permit, which allows not only to live, but also to study, work and move around Finland. There are several varieties of this white paper.
First, they issue a temporary residence permit, which expires in a year. At this time, you can safely study or work, but the person will not be provided with a social package and cannot extend the validity of the document for more than one more year.
Subject to all conditions of temporary residence, a continuous residence permit is issued for 4 years or for the duration of the passport. At the same time, a social package is provided.
The permanent look is the most complete, since it is in fact equal to citizenship. But you can get it no earlier than the expiration of the continuous residence permit. In this case, all documents must be executed and renewed on time.
Biometric card
If the application is examined and a positive answer is given, a person will be given a biometric card for a residence permit in 1-2 weeks at the representative office (earlier the permission had the form of stickers in the passport). It notes personal data and information, the chip contains fingerprints and a photograph, but it is not considered an identity card.
Relatives in Finland
There are serious reasons for moving to another country, so you need to choose the basis for emigrating to Finland from Russia, and fill out the appropriate application form. Also, do not forget to prepare a full package of documents.
There is a high probability of successfully leaving for Finland for permanent residence from Russia if there are close relatives in the country - parents, children or spouses. At the same time, you can officially stay both in Finland and in Russia. A special condition for this method of relocation is proof of income sufficient to support all family members.
Work and self-employment
The second way, how to obtain permanent residence in Finland to a citizen of Russia, involves having a full-time job in the country. It can be found both before arrival and by visiting Finland by visa. In this case, the monthly salary should be at least 1173 euros excluding taxes.
By Russian standards, this is a very large salary, but for Finland it is quite normal, earnings there can reach 3 thousand euros. The work of specialists is especially highly paid, but you can earn good money on unskilled posts. In particular, thanks to this, the crime rate has been reduced in Finland. However, it’s more difficult for migrants to get a good job than native Finns.
A residence permit may not be needed by highly qualified specialists with higher education and knowledge of the Finnish language, scientists, teachers, religious figures and athletes. Special conditions are also provided for no more than three months of emigration to Finland from Russia. The list of professions for which in this case does not need a residence permit is as follows:
- interpreter;
- teacher;
- trainer;
- sports judge
- mechanic;
- painter;
- sailor;
- researcher;
- marketer;
- filmmaker;
- guide;
- zoo or fur farm worker;
- driver;
- seasonal worker;
- courier.
Since it is possible to work not only for the employer, but also to exercise self-employment, the next way to move to Finland for permanent residence from Russia is to open a business. However, for this it is necessary to provide a number of documents, including a questionnaire, certificates of fact and investment, a business plan, registration certificate, lease agreement for a room (in particular, an office), information about income, the planned number of employees, the trade register.
Based on self-employment, the questionnaire can also be submitted by traders and freelancers.
Training
It’s a little easier to leave Russia to live in Finland while studying at a local higher or vocational educational institution. Finnish education is largely borrowed from the Soviet school. Improvements made it one of the best in the world, in addition, it is free and of high quality.
In this case, in addition to the application form, photographs and passport, you only need an invitation or a certificate of enrollment, medical insurance and confirmation of the availability of a sufficient amount of funds for living during the year (an account statement in any currency is suitable as such). The amount must exceed 6720 euros per year. However, if the educational institution provides free housing, there will be enough income of 3360 euros, and if the educational institution also provides food, then 2340 euros per year.
Graduate students must additionally provide certificates translated from Finnish, Swedish, and English from the place of work related to their studies, and documents about their education.
Special grounds
The reason for moving to Finland for permanent residence from Russia is repatriation. In this case, a certificate from the national archive, a certificate from the parish office and an extract from the population register are required.
There are other ways to emigrate to Finland from Russia. The impossibility of life at home due to repressions, religious oppression, threats to life and health (in particular, due to military operations in the territory) falls under special grounds.
Theoretically, in this case, you can arrive at the checkpoint and apply for political asylum to an employee of the Finnish border service. If the border guard considers the words of the applicant convincing, he can redirect him to the migration service, who will consider the appeal in more detail. However, favorable decisions in such cases are extremely rare.
Preparing for the move
Choosing a way to leave Russia to Finland, you need to make sure that you have an identification card and that there are no crimes and debts per person (this includes unpaid taxes, bills, fines, alimony and so on). Material security should not be at a low level, and one should have a good command of Finnish. At the same time, a person must live in Finland with a temporary residence permit for at least four years, starting from the date of arrival or the validity of the permit, of which there have been no trips over the past 10 months. The educational institution, place of work or marital status must remain the same, as when applying for an appropriate reason. Otherwise, the permit may cease to operate as soon as material security becomes insufficient for living. However, when working as a computer specialist or a doctor, special conditions apply.
Documents Provided
Filling out the application and the documents necessary to justify the arrival, you must personally come and provide a valid passport and a photocopy of it, a statement of income, two black and white or color photographs taken no earlier than 6 months before submission, and a receipt for payment of the service . As for the latter, an electronic application for a first residence permit, depending on the basis, will cost:
- 230 Euro for underage students;
- 330 euros for students over the age of 18;
- 520 euros for job seekers.
There are special benefits for children and students. Paperwork is more expensive. For direct consideration of the application, the fees are about 160 euros.
It must be remembered that in the case of a positive or negative decision, a refund is not made. You will have to wait for an answer for a rather long time, however, if emigration is for the purpose of training, it will be given before the start of the academic semester, and when applying for employment in Finland, the application will be processed within 4 months.
It is better to submit documents through the electronic service. So it turns out cheaper and faster, in addition, you can track the status of your case by date of birth or personal number. If the questionnaire is filled out in paper form, it will be necessary to clarify the situation with a personal visit or by phone call. In any case, even if the tracking was not carried out, the positive decision of the submitter of the documents will be notified by means of a message to a mobile number or e-mail.
They can refuse both permanent and temporary residence permits, especially if there are unpaid fines. But once all the requirements are met, the chances of a positive response will increase. The conviction or suspect of more than two crimes or one criminal offense with imprisonment is the reason for the ban on living in Finland.
The general list of necessary documents can be supplemented with other papers at the discretion of the police department or the service center of the migration service. Documents must be submitted in advance, 2 months before the expiration of the previous residence permit, in extreme cases, 2 weeks in advance.
To transfer to permanent residence from Russia to Finland with a minor child, you need to enter it in the parent's passport. At the same time, if the parents are divorced, you must have the written consent of the ex-spouse to leave the child and a decision on his place of residence certified by a notary. If the child has one parent, you must also provide the appropriate certificate.
However, submitting documents is not enough to get an unlimited visa. It will also be necessary to pass an exam on knowledge of the Finnish language. You can get rid of this test only if in the last 2 years a person has been studying in Finnish.
Rights granted by a permanent residence permit
Having received a permit for permanent residence in Finland, you can find the guarantees provided by the national pension fund. This means social security and health insurance. In addition, if you lose your job, you can register with the employment service.
Many are interested in not only how to move from Russia to Finland, but also how to obtain citizenship in a new country. Citizen status can be obtained after 5 years of compliance with all living conditions (it is important to pay taxes and fines on time and have sufficient earnings) and mastering the language at a satisfactory level. To do this, you must again fill out a special form, pay 350 euros in the electronic system (or 440 euros for paperwork) and submit certificates of employment, as well as proof of permanent income. If any other documents are required, a request for them will be sent by letter. As soon as the kit is assembled, the application will be considered.
Reviews
Emigration to Finland from Russia is very common, so you can find many reviews from immigrants. Many say that living in this country is safe, you can not even close the car and leave the ignition keys while it is warming in winter. Of particular note is nature. However, some people who are accustomed to lead an active lifestyle, note that in this country it is unusually boring. Shops and restaurants close early, and theaters, exhibitions and museums prevail only in the capital. In addition, a significant minus of living in Finland is a certain Russophobia on the part of local residents and a high income tax of 20 to 36%. Additional income is taxed even more, the rate at which may be 1.5-2 times higher. Pensioners are not exempted from this, moreover, pension payments are also subject to taxation.
Thus, reviews about permanent residence in Finland from Russia are diverse. They depend on what goals were pursued during the move. If the priority was a quiet, calm life with a favorable environmental situation, the vast majority of people were satisfied with the new place of residence. Fans of active entertainment can expect disappointment. In this case, when moving, it is better to focus on the capital and at the same time the largest city in Finland - Helsinki.