Stricter family reunification criteria to comply with EU Directive

Today on 24 September, the Ministry of the Interior has established a legislative project to review the family reunification criteria to comply with the EU Family Reunification Directive. The project will consider tightening the criteria by extending the scope of application of maintenance requirements and the application of integration and accommodation requirements.

The Directive lays down the general requirements for family reunification, and additional requirements to be applied at national level as decided by the Member States. Finland has not applied all the additional requirements laid down in the Directive. The family reunification criteria would now be tightened in accordance with these additional requirements.

The application of integration requirements would support the Government's objective to ensure that all those who have been granted asylum participate in integration measures. The project aims to examine how the application of integration requirements and other additional requirements could be implemented in practice.

Reviewing the family reunification criteria is included in Prime Minister Juha Sipilä's Government Programme. The Government proposal will be submitted to Parliament in spring 2016.

Background

The purpose of the Family Reunification Directive is to determine the minimum conditions for the exercise of the right to family reunification by third country nationals residing lawfully in the territory of the Member States.

Under the Aliens Act in force, a residence permit may be issued on the basis of family ties to applicants who

- are members of the nuclear family (the spouse and minor children/parents of minor children) and not other relatives

- have a secure livelihood (sufficient resources to maintain the family without recourse to the social assistance system)

- are not considered a threat to public order or security.

It is also established whether the applicants really intend to resume their close family life in Finland and not try to bend the rules to be able to enter the country legally.

Inquiries:
Tuuli Tuunanen, Senior Officer, tel. +358 295 488 658
Jorma Vuorio, Director General, tel. +358 295 418 860 (on Sept 25)