Finland's government on Thursday submitted a proposal to parliament which aims to tighten the country's laws on family reunification, the Interior Minister has announced in a press release.
"In line with the Government Programme, the government proposes that Finland should introduce the additional conditions permitted by the EU Family Reunification Directive concerning the spouses' minimum age, ability to provide for their own needs and the time they have stayed in the country," the release stated.
Family reunification refers to the granting of a residence permit to a foreign citizen based on family ties and, according to UNESCO, usually brings together family members such as "children, spouses and elderly dependents".
In practice, the government's proposed changes would mean that if a residence permit is to be granted to a spouse on the basis of family reunification, both spouses would have to be at least 21 years old.
This age requirement would not however apply if one of the spouses were a Finnish citizen.
In addition, the government is seeking to reinstate a requirement that the family member of a minor, who has been given international protection, must provide evidence of sufficient financial resources as a condition for receiving a residence permit.
Furthermore, under the proposed changes, people who have been granted international protection would have to reside in Finland for at least two years before their family members can apply to join them.
"These legislative amendments aim to promote integration and encourage immigrants to take more responsibility for their integration. They also seek to put an end to practices that are harmful to society and individuals, such as the use of children as a means of entry to the country, forced marriages and marriages of convenience," the ministry's press release said, adding that the law changes are scheduled to come into effect on 15 May.
Proposed changes to international protection laws
In a separate press release, the ministry also announced plans to reform Finland's asylum laws.
This would include, for example, placing restrictions on the rights of people who have been granted international protection to visit the countries from which they have fled.
In addition, the government wants to streamline the deportation of people who have had their asylum applications rejected.
"The proposed amendment would apply to cases such as where a person who has been ordered to be deported applies for international protection to delay being removed from the country," the statement said.
The press release further noted that the government's programme, published shortly after the current administration took office in the summer of 2023, set a goal of returning rejected asylum applicants to their countries of origin "as soon as possible".
"In addition, the Government Programme states that unfounded subsequent applications will be prevented," the press release added.
This proposal was also submitted to parliament on Thursday.
