Finland Student Visa With Spouse: Full Requirements, Process & Benefits

Let’s be real, studying abroad is exciting, but it can also feel a little overwhelming, especially if you’re planning to bring your partner along. 

Anyway, Finland’s a gorgeous place to study, thanks to its safe streets, small cafés, and some of the best education systems in the world. 

And guess what? You don’t have to go it alone. 

If you’re planning to study in Finland and your spouse is coming with you, you’re in luck. 

In fact, Finland makes it pretty simple, as long as you’ve got your paperwork in the correct way. 

Speaking of which, this guide walks you through everything you need to know without any complicated explanation.

Can You Bring Your Spouse on a Finland Student Visa?

Yes, absolutely. 

If you’re an international student holding a valid Finnish student residence permit, you can apply to bring your spouse (or registered partner) to join you. 

This is because Finland recognises marriage and registered partnerships, so as long as you’re legally married or officially partnered, your spouse is eligible to apply for a family reunification residence permit. 

It’s not automatic; in fact, you’ll need to apply separately — but the system is designed with families in mind. 

Whereas many students bring their partners because Finland’s social support systems make it easier than you might think. 

Therefore, whether you’re studying in Helsinki, Turku, or even a quieter town like Oulu, your spouse can come too. 

Anyway, just keep in mind that you’ll need to prove you can support them financially, and that you both have a place to live. 

Eligibility Requirements for Finland Student Visa With Spouse

To bring your spouse, you must be in a full-time degree program at a Finnish university or university of applied sciences. 

That means you can’t just take a short language course or participate in an exchange for a semester. In fact, you need to be officially studying for a full degree, like a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD. 

Additionally, your student residence permit must be valid for at least one more year when your spouse applies for a permit. 

In case your permit’s only suitable for six months, you’ll need to extend it first. 

With that, on your spouse’s side, they need to be your legally recognised partner. 

That means a marriage certificate or officially registered partnership document is ideal. 

Remember that Finland doesn’t recognise informal relationships for this purpose. 

Plus, your spouse must be at least 18 years old. 

Speaking of which, there’s no requirement for them to speak Finnish or Swedish, which is nice. 

But they do need to have health insurance that covers them in Finland. And here’s the thing: your spouse can’t have a criminal record, as that would make them a risk to public safety.

To be honest, that’s standard across most countries, so nothing unusual there. 

Anyway, just make sure all your documents are clean and up to date.

Financial Requirements for Students Bringing a Spouse to Finland

Money matters — and Finland is pretty clear about what you need. 

As a student, you must prove you can support yourself and also your spouse without relying on public funds.   

In fact, for the 2025–2026 period, you need to show you have at least €9,600 per year for yourself. That’s roughly €800 a month. 

But here’s the downside — for your spouse, you’ll need an extra €7,320 per year, or about €610 a month. 

So altogether, you’re looking at around €16,920 for the year. 

We know that it’s not a small number, but it’s possible if you’ve planned ahead. 

Speaking of which, you can show this through bank statements, scholarship letters, or even a sponsor’s financial guarantee — as long as it’s official and in euros. And yes, the money has to be accessible and in your name. 

In case your partner has their own savings, those can’t be counted unless they’re officially transferring them to you. 

To be honest, some students think they can get by with less, but immigration officials are strict. 

Whereas they want proof that you won’t be struggling. 

Also, you’ll need to show that you have stable accommodation. Not luxury housing — just something decent. As in a one-bedroom apartment or even a shared flat, as long as it’s legally rented and you can provide a lease agreement. 

Anyway, the key here is to show that you’ve got enough to cover both living and housing costs. 

For that reason, many students choose to live in student housing, which is affordable and easy to get the documents. 

Documents Needed for Finland Student Visa With Spouse

Let’s talk about documents because this is where people get stuck. 

To make it clear, keep in mind that you’ll need two sets of documents: one for you and one for your spouse. 

Specifically, for you, the student, you’ll need your official letter of acceptance from your Finnish university, proof of tuition payment (if applicable), and your current residence permit. Moreover, you’ll also need your passport, which must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned stay. 

On the other hand, for your spouse, things are similar but with a few extra steps. 

They’ll need their own passport, a completed application form, and a recent passport photo. 

But the unique ones are the marriage certificate or registered partnership document — and it must be translated into English, Finnish, or Swedish if it’s in another language. 

Furthermore, you’ll also need certified copies of your financial documents, such as bank statements or confirmation letters that show the required balance for the past three months.  

Plus, don’t forget health insurance for your spouse. As it needs to cover at least €30,000 in medical expenses and be valid in Finland. 

Oh, and you’ll need proof of accommodation, like a rental agreement, lease, or even a letter from your landlord confirming they’re okay with your spouse moving in. 

On the other hand, if you’re staying in student housing, the housing company usually provides a letter for this. 

Lastly, both of you will need to pay the application fee, which is approximately €550 for the spouse’s application. 

Tip: Get everything translated and certified early, as translation services can take time, and you don’t want delays because of a missing stamp.

Step-by-Step Process to Apply for Finland Student Visa With Spouse

First of all, make sure that your own student residence permit is active and valid for at least one more year. 

If it’s not, apply for an extension before you even think about your spouse’s application. 

Once that’s sorted, head to the Finnish Immigration Service website — migri.fi — and download the family reunification application form. 

Then, fill it out carefully and remember that your spouse will need to sign it too. 

Afterwards, gather all the documents we just talked about: marriage certificate, financial proof, health insurance, housing confirmation, passports, and photos. 

With that, upload everything to the online portal. 

Note: Before that, you’ll need to create an account if you haven’t already. 

Anyway, after you submit, you’ll get a confirmation email. That’s not approval — it’s just “we got your stuff.” 

Now, your spouse will need to book an appointment at the nearest Finnish embassy or consulate in their home country. 

Once that is done, they must go in person to submit fingerprints and have their documents checked. 

Note: This step is mandatory. Don’t skip it. 

After the appointment, the case goes to Migri for review. They’ll check everything, including your finances, marriage, housing, and so on. 

In case something’s missing or unclear, they’ll email you. So keep checking your inbox. 

Conversely, if everything looks good, you’ll get an approval letter. Then your spouse will receive their residence permit card in the mail — usually after they arrive in Finland. 

Processing Time for Finland Student Visa With a Spouse

Let’s talk about timing. 

The official processing time for a family reunification visa is about 6 to 9 months. 

But it can take longer — especially during peak seasons like spring and summer, when lots of students are applying. 

Plus, if your documents are incomplete, it’ll drag on. 

So if you plan to start your studies in August, aim to submit your spouse’s application by January. And here’s something to keep in mind: if you’re applying from a country with a high volume of applications, processing might take closer to 10 months. So plan ahead. 

With that, you can check the status of your application online through Migri’s portal. They update it regularly. 

On the other hand, if you haven’t heard anything after 4 months, don’t panic — just send a polite inquiry. 

In fact, most delays happen because of missing documents, not because they’re rejecting you. 

To be honest, many couples get approved faster than expected — especially if everything’s in order. But don’t count on luck. Give yourself time. And if your spouse needs to get a visa stamp in their passport before traveling, that’s a separate step that can add another couple of weeks. 

So yeah — patience is key. 

Can Your Spouse Work in Finland While You Study?

This is one of the best parts, and the answer to that question is yes, your spouse can work in Finland as a full-time employee with no restrictions. 

Once your spouse gets their residence permit based on family reunification, they’re allowed to take any job, whether it’s part-time, full-time, freelance, or even starting a business. 

It means they can find a job at a café, work remotely for a company back home, or even land a role in tech or design. And yes, they’ll pay taxes like everyone else, but they’ll also have access to Finland’s social benefits — such as healthcare and unemployment support. 

Moreover, many students’ spouses end up finding jobs in their field, especially in cities like Helsinki, Tampere, or Espoo, where there’s a growing international workforce. 

In fact, you might be surprised to know how many spouses end up working in education, translation, or tech support. 

In a way, it’s not just about making money — it’s about building a life here. 

Conversely, if your spouse doesn’t want to work, that’s totally fine too. 

That is because the permit gives them the freedom to make a choice. 

Anyway, just make sure they register with the local population office once they arrive. 

That’s how they get their personal identity code — which they’ll need for banking, renting, and working. 

It’s a small step, but quite important. 

Conclusion

Bringing your spouse to Finland while you study isn’t just possible — it’s actually pretty well thought out. 

The system isn’t perfect, sure, but it’s fair, clear, and supportive. 

The key is that you’ll need to plan ahead, save a little extra, and get your documents in order, and once you do, you’re on the right path. 

Whereas your partner gets to live with you, explore Finnish culture, maybe even find a job, and build something real here. While you get to study with the comfort of knowing that your person is right there beside you. 

In fact, Finland gets that education isn’t just about grades — it’s about people. 

So if you’re thinking about bringing your spouse, go for it. Do the research, follow the steps, and don’t let the documents scare you. 

It’s a big step, but it’s one that thousands of students take every year. And it makes the whole experience unique. 

Therefore, whether you’re sipping coffee in a Helsinki café or walking through a snowy park in Oulu, you’ll be doing it together. And that’s worth the effort.

Contact TEVS a Finland student visa consultants in Sri Lanka for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions