The Finnish Immigration Service announced changes to the provisions on family reunification:
- both spouses must have turned 21 before the residence permit becomes valid.This requirement does not concern sponsors who are Finnish citizens.
- If the spouses have children in their joint custody, a residence permit application as the child's parent or guardian can be submitted even though the parent is under 21 years of age.
- Family members of a minor, beneficiary of subsidiary protection or temporary protection, are required to have sufficient financial resources, with certain exceptions.
- Sufficient financial resources are also required of other relatives of a minor who has been granted international or temporary protection, with certain exceptions.
- Family reunification for beneficiaries of international protection requires two-year residence in Finland, with certain exceptions.
- The definition of when a child is considered a minor is adjusted to comply with the case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Union.