Government planning changes to income requirements for family reunification
The Finnish government is currently preparing changes to regulations concerning family reunification. Family reunification refers to a situation where a family member living abroad of a person residing in Finland applies for a residence permit based on family ties.
According to the new plans, the government intends to raise the income requirements that affect the possibilities for family members to move to Finland. Income requirements refer to the amount of money that the applicant or the family member living in Finland must have at their disposal so that living expenses can be covered without social support.
The goal is to tighten immigration policy and ensure that the livelihood of families moving to Finland is secured. According to the authorities, the changes aim to ensure that family reunification is based even more strongly on one's own financial stability.
The proposal has sparked discussion about how the stricter requirements will affect foreigners living in Finland and their families in practice. It is not yet entirely clear when the new regulations will enter into force, but the government continues to prepare the matter for parliamentary consideration.