Where do I apply, and is an embassy visit needed?

First-time applicants for a family member permit normally apply from outside Finland, through the online Enter Finland service or on paper, and then visit a Finnish embassy or consulate to verify their identity.

If the sponsor is using a fast-track employment route, family members can sometimes receive decisions within about two weeks. Over time, family members may apply for extended permits and eventually permanent residence, subject to the residence period and, from 2026, language and work-history requirements.