A lot of prospective students have been considering Finland for higher studies. One of the common questions that I get is about bringing their spouse. Can I bring my spouse to Finland while studying?
Yes, you can! You can bring your spouse to Finland. Finland is probably one of the countries that allow you to bring your spouse with the least amount of extra effort. If you are a student and you are accepted as a student in any Finnish university, then you can bring your spouse. If you are working in a Finnish company, you can also bring your spouse.
Bring and travel around Europe with your loved one, Limitlessly
Now the question is, how can you bring your spouse? When you are applying for a student visa in Finland, you can apply for your spouse as a dependent with your application. You need to show an additional amount of deposit in your bank account. If you are working in a company, you just need to show your financial solvent to bring your spouse. Most importantly, you do not necessarily need to sponsor your spouse. Your friends or family, anyone, can sponsor your spouse. If you are interested to know more about the visa processing, then you can check out our separate blog about it.
There are only a few things you need to submit to the embassy for bringing your spouse:
- Visa application
- Marriage certificate (It needs to be verified by the embassy, There will be a separate blog about it)
- Additional bank deposit (Approximately 8400 euros for a year)
- Passport of your spouse
- Documents proving the source of the deposit
- Documents of the sponsor
- Divorce/death certificate of your spouse (if applicable)
Visa processing time:
- If you are applying for a student visa and you are bringing your spouse with you, then it will take 3-8 weeks to get a decision after submitting the application at the embassy.
- If you are already in Finland, and now you would like to bring your spouse, in that case, it takes about 2-6 months to get a decision after submitting the application at the embassy.
Benefits of bringing your spouse with you:
- Spouses can work full time; there is no time limit for the spouse to work.
- Spouses are likely to be sent to the Finnish language learning course (or in other words, the integration program) by the TE office.
- Scope to study: Spouses can also apply for higher studies after coming to Finland; in that case, they do not need to worry about the visa processing.
- Having your spouse by your side will increase your emotional stability. The journey to living in a new country will be easier for you.
- Spouses will get the same legal protection as you do.
- Cultural integration while holding family bonds will give you positive energy.
However, in some cases, it can be challenging. For example, if you are bringing your spouse, then you will need a family-size house, which will have higher rent compared to a shared apartment. Also, additional costs like grocery and traveling expenses will be added to the cost. So consider these factors while you are bringing your spouse. If you are not worried about some additional costs, then it is worth bringing your spouse.