How I became a Finnish citizen

This is a story of how I became a Finnish citizen from my first residence permit and moving to Finland for studies to passing the Finnish language test and getting a passport!
Useful links:
Finnish Immigration Service: migri.fi/etusivu
YKI Finnish language test required for citizenship: www.oph.fi/fi/koulutus-ja-tut...
Study in Finland: www.studyinfinland.fi/
I upload stories about my life in Finland every day on Instagram - / makingitinfinland
Unlock the topic of job application in Finland with my practical guide: payhip.com/b/dBTYq
My previous video you might find useful:
How I Learned Finnish Language: • How I Learned FINNISH ...
How to apply for a Bachelor's Degree in Finland: • How to apply for a Bac...
10 Years Living in Finland: • 10 Years Living in Fin...

[@kaivaja]

Well congrats fellow Fin!

[@KentChannelTV]

Hello from Russia. In such funny times as today, it is especially interesting to learn about the life of people in Finland. And at the same time, I want to attract interest in the history of this country, since I collect coins of the Principality of Finland, when the country was part of the Russian Empire until 1917. I will be glad to hear your opinions under my new video on this topic, and I would like to find like-minded people on the topic from Finland, to see the antique shops of this country. I will be glad!))

[@sulosky]

Olet huikea ❤ kiitos, kun jaoit videon. All the best!

[@adrianobueno6984]

I really liked your video, I'm still beginning my suomen kielen kurssi and it's inspiring to listening your story

[@0neChecker]

Onnittelut, se on aina hienoa, kun joku onnistuu ja toiveet toteutuu!

[@makingitinfinland]

Kiitos paljon!

[@jonatasmendonca2079]

It would be like a fairy tale for me as a Brazilian moving to Finland and becoming a Finnish citizen... there aren't only messer or banggers in Brazil... I'm a commited citizen, I respect laws, never did any crime and never failed my public responsibilities, so I think I could apply in a near feature.. however, it's only a dream for me by now... please Finnish people don't be so scared, hahahaha, I'm still just planning... though learning the language I've already taken as a part of the task... Onnea!!

[@makingitinfinland]

Hi Jonatas! All the best with learning the language, it is an exciting journey!

[@jonatasmendonca2079]

@@makingitinfinland Kiitos Paljon!!

[@just42tube]

So, you expect Finns to be scared of Brasilian people.. 😂 There are definitely cultural differences, which can lead to miscommunication or even dislike. But at the same time the same differences can also be reasons for becoming interested or even attracted. People don't need to be similar to like each other or to get along. Do you know Brasilian Finns in Brasil? They probably have integrated and become more like Brasilian?

[@jonatasmendonca2079]

@@just42tube Ok, thank you for your point of view... Yes, there's a little (very little, but with some popularity hereabouts) amount of Finnish-Brasilians, they live inner the state of Rio de Janeiro, in a mountain region known as "Itatiaia". They've helped building a small town in this region, called "Penedo". The small city is nationwide known as "A Pequena Finlândia", the "little Finland". But, see what I mean: we're getting into a disruptive age, where social and ethnic prejudices are being gotten down. I'm only filling my role in this disruption, by providing internauts with useful data through my comments.

[@just42tube]

@@jonatasmendonca2079 Some statistics by the Finnish Immigration Service: In the last 12 months there has been 303 decisions about the first residence permit to Finland, where the nationality of the applicant has been Brasil. These decisions were 280 - positive 22 - negative 1 - expired

[@just42tube]

Type A permit is continous residence permit. The first residence permit, including the type A, is always issued for a fixed term. Permanent Residence Permmit bears the letter P. An EU residence permit for third-country nationals with long-term resident status bears the letters P-EU or P-EY. I understand that some confusion with terminology is very natural since the world "permanent" has different meanings is different contexts. For instance Permanent address, being permanent resident in a municipality are different from having permanent residence permit. And continuous living and continuous residence permit can also be a permanent state of affairs. And still these different permits have different legal consequences. Citizenship is also a kind of permanent permit. More permanent than permanent residence permit.😊

[@m1k1a1]

Excellent summary of what it takes to obtain citizenship. Those of us who were just accidentally born here with citizenship :D have to admire the determination and long time plan that is needed. Also, maybe I missed it, but did money get mentioned in the video? It costs about 500 € just to make citizenship application. Then after that there is payment for ID card and passport, of course.

[@makingitinfinland]

Thanks! Yeah, I think I tried to mention costs of each residence permit and citizenship application, i guess if i sum up all bureaucratic costs the total "cost" of citizenship will be around €1.500

[@just42tube]

It's not relevant in this context, but actually YKI tests exist for several languages. It's a selection of language proficiency tests for 6 or 7 languages.

[@DNA350ppm]

Onnittelen! Mahtavia saavutuksia todella, olet ollut niin ahkera, älykäs ja määrätietoinen - ja huippu tuloksia on seurannut, ja hyvin ansaitut menestykset! Three very difficult languages mastered!!! Now I hope you adopt the famous Finnish work-life balance, and then you will have strength enough for an interesting career ahead! All the best wishes and thank you for helping others by sharing. 🙂

[@makingitinfinland]

Kiitos paljon! 🥰 Onneksi minulla on jo aika mielenkiintoinen ura meneillään, work-life balance on välillä haastava mutta pääjuttu että saan tehdä mitä kiinnostaa ☺️ Kaikkea hyvää myös sinulle ja kiitos ihanasta kommentistasi!

[@DNA350ppm]

@@makingitinfinland

[@andredias2084]

Residency in Finland is so difficult. I tried to leave Brazil towards Finland, but it was very difficult, I just resisted. I want to try again. Sucess Dasha

[@jonatasmendonca2079]

So be strong brother!! When you get it, tell me how!!

[@makingitinfinland]

Hi Andre! What challenges did you face? Good luck on your journey!

[@andredias2084]

@@makingitinfinland I believe they are the same as all immigrants. The main thing may be the language, but also the climate and customs. Brazil is very different from Finland. I work in the paper and cellulose area, and Finland is a reference in the subject, I'm going to look for this market.

[@andredias2084]

@@makingitinfinland Thks Dasha 🫡

[@user-nb1oo9dl7h]

finnsh is really difficult, the distance between people is very far,if u can enjoy solitude,that's ok.

[@servicecenter4403]

My wife is student in Finland on b type permit..does that count? After how long she can apply for citizenship?

[@makingitinfinland]

Yes, but the time lived on B type counts as half of the years required for citizenship, how long - it really depends on her situation and how fast she can move to A permit.

[@ElohorOtiekor]

If you study in vocational school will you get you get type A permit

[@makingitinfinland]

Unfortunately no, new rules with A permit are only applicable to those getting higher education in universities or universities of applied sciences

[@user-gx8hw8vn3f]

please as a student in finland can be be working and going to school.

[@makingitinfinland]

Yes, you can work while studying! Next videos will be about that

[@aamir480]

Your eyes hold a galaxy of it's own. Just beautful.

[@arcabuz]

Let me guess, you’re a drooling arab

[@user-on5xg7oi1h]

Kyllä näytät todella suomalaiselta

[@makingitinfinland]

Kuulen tämän aika usein 😀 omasta mielestä en näytä olleenkaan suomalaiselta

[@BoloH.]

​@@makingitinfinland Pohjois- ja Itä-Suomessa ei tätä mielipidettä purematta niellä

[@diamondsarenotforever8542]

Suomessa on monen näköisiä ihmisiä.

[@roytikkanen1065]

I am a canadian..but a finn too. Family roots from the north...rovaniemi and above..i am only one born in Canada..speak very good Finnish..fluent..wondering to retire there..i have been there..your video was very informing...thanks

[@mirazhossain582]

That's great....I am living in kemijarvi.... where are you living in Rovaneimi ?

[@makingitinfinland]

Thanks for the comment Roy. Why are you considering retiring in Finland and not in Canada?

[@roytikkanen1065]

Canada is changing..fast..as much as i love my country...i think i need a change...i see being happy in finland not so much here...and i know the culture oh so well

[@just42tube]

Avoliitto -> open marriage... My sense of Finnish language doesn't totally agree with that translation, but I can understand why such translation could be used. Some of meaning seem to be lost in the translation anyway, and that is often the case when translating. Liitto has the meaning of marriage but more commonly it is agreement or alliance. Of you think about marriage as a business transaction, since it is clearly an agreement about the ownership of what the couple owns and also the and other Finnish word for marriage naimakauppa, you get a different idea what has been in especially agricultural societies. I would propose that avoliito is actually more a agreement of an alliance or partnership or commitment to each other without the financial part, which is so clearly important in avioliitto, marriage.

[@makingitinfinland]

Agree with you and I did not mean to say that it actually means open marriage, just shared our inside joke.

[@just42tube]

@@makingitinfinland How about naimakauppa? Doesn't it provoke any ideas or jokes..

[@Yupppi]

It is a joke. It's funny because it can be translated into open marriage, while it is not an open relationship or marriage. Finns regularly joke about this funny quirk of language and translation. The comparable term in English would be domestic partnership or common-law marriage.

[@just42tube]

@@Yupppi I would suggest using Cohabiting Partner in English in the Finnish context. That is what is used in official contexts like in the residence permit application process.

[@alexanderscharf2806]

умница! поздравления!!!!!

[@makingitinfinland]

Спасибо!

[@tuukka3580]

This is how immigration should go. 0 € for repatriate and if you ever get fed up w poor salaries in Finland and decide to go elsewhere with your knowledge. I do not blame you. I think u shouldn't pay a single dime for coming in Finland. I from the poor working class salute you and hope youll find our beloved country a good place to settle down. Many wishes to your journey. I hope your voice and personal account will provide sufficient "morale boost" or motivation for others in similar situation as yours. Since Finland could offfer great opportunitiest to hone ones skills but not so much in the prosper scale. For me personally this is a huge balance boost for me who reads the news and reads about rapes and gangs every day. Keeps my hope for humanity alive. Thank you for sharing. God bless. If u are inclined to believe. 🙏 Edit: The tabloids boast about crimes which immigrants commit so this is what I meant earlier.

[@makingitinfinland]

Thank you Tuukka for your comment and all the wishes! I also hope to show other immigrants who are already in the country and are struggling to ingrate that it is possible to build a good fulfilling life here. All the best wishes to you!

[@Yupppi]

When I saw the thumbnail I thought "I could've sworn she was finnish by the looks". You fit in better than many natives. The immigration and money is a really challenging topic. Last year there was a news article about wolt driver who made more than many finns by his hard work, to prove that he can manage and bring his family here. But apparently he was making TOO MUCH for the office checking on his situation. And I was just talking about citizenship and passport and ID card with a Hungarian who started learning Finnish early on and moved to Finland and lived here and was in a long relationship here, she had so much trouble with the liquor store because she didn't have the exact identification the person at the counter wanted, and her hungarian license/ID wasn't apparently good for drinking. Furthermore she had similar issues with ID card as I, a native Finn, had with the post office. And like what happened to you!!! You need to prove your ID by passport or driver's license at the post office to get your ID card. She was asked for the ID that she had to have destroyed before getting the ID, to get the ID. HOWEVER it's totally fine if you write a piece of paper "this person is allowed to pick up my delivery" and give it to anyone who has a valid ID and they can pick it up without issues. No matter who they are. Just with a piece of handwritten paper.

[@makingitinfinland]

Thank you for the comment and the stories. Yeah, I know, sometimes immigration rules do no make sense, like in the Wolt driver case, he was probably on a student visa or something cause there are limits of how much you can work on a student residence permit. And regarding IDs and Alko, I remember before I got Finnish driving license I always had to carry my passport if I wanted to buy a can of cider or wine :D

[@Yupppi]

@@makingitinfinland in fact the issue with the Wolt delivery guy was that they didn't believe it would be a sustainable income :D he got the short straw after all despite getting a job and rather great income (and had the will to work hard for it).

[@hannes.mutala]

Congratulations for the citizenship. You are one of us now. I hope this land and its people will treat you well.

[@makingitinfinland]

Kiitos!

[@jarmopaakkonen2045]

keväällä sitten uimaan Mantalle,eli juhlimaan lätkän maailmanmestaruutta

[@thecocabonga]

К сожалению, ваша история очень типична, вечный студент и плюс сожительствуете с финном. Это хорошая стратегия, но больше для девушек подходит. Без обид, но у меня с моего курса, почти все девушки, кто решил остаться в финке +-именно так и остались в Финляндии. Честно говоря, когда видео выскочило в предложках, ожидал услышать какую то историю про современных студентов в Финляндии: поиск работы, зависания в инкубаторах и технохабах и т.п.. но лайк все равно ставлю:) ожидание от видео у меня просто не совпадо с реальностью, бывает.

[@manasserabaye8935]

Must i get married to a finnish citizen before asking for a finnish citizenship.???

[@makingitinfinland]

Of course not, you apply for citizenship based on sufficient amount of years lived in the country

[@numchacar]

last time i was in finland was 2013 =D i am half finnish but i cant even live in finland so congrats

[@makingitinfinland]

Thanks! Why can't you live in Finland even if you are half finnish?

[@numchacar]

@@makingitinfinland you're welcome well i could if i got my citizenship i guess but i think now i am to old and learning the language at my age will be harder and changing climates might be to hard for me

[@rayfinnila6079]

I was born in Finland to Finnish parents, but have lived in the US most of my life. I had the opportunity to get my Finnish citizenship, when I visited there in 2013. You may be able to claim Finnish citizenship, if one of your parents was Finnish. Contact the Finnish Consulate and inquire. Perhaps their website can give an answer.

[@numchacar]

@@rayfinnila6079 long story i had it and lost it some major confusion with it with me doing the army there

[@numchacar]

@@rayfinnila6079 i should have had my citizenship for life but yeah something happened (not sure why) and government removed my citizenship

[@ETfrogable]

Hi, do you have Finnish origins ?

[@makingitinfinland]

Hi! I don’t, I even did a DNA test 😅

[@ETfrogable]

@@makingitinfinland Oh okay, I am French ; do you live better in Finland or in Russia ?

[@formatique_arschloch]

​@@ETfrogableObviously in Finland. russia is a third world dictatorship.

[@daimonien]

🙄...😂

[@Yupppi]

But on the opposite, Finland was for the longest times in history under Russian rule (just like under Swedish rule) and the populations have plenty of mixing. Furthermore there's quite a huge minority of Russians in Finland today and there's been many whose families live in Russia and they visit across the border, but they work in Finland or live with a Finn. When I was a kid, there was multiple Finnish Russians in the area so our school also had some kids with that, and grew up to be Finnish Russians in relationships with Finns. You know the drill. And Finnish tribes probably originated from the Urals in Russia so it's not a total surprise if European side Russians and Finns had resemblance to each other. You can sometimes guess when a Finn has Russian heritage, from some features in their looks. Not always and guaranteed of course, but just to demonstrate that it's not a total surprise that part of the people can look alike.

[@kimanthoni6377]

If you are an asset to the country, it's extremely difficult. If you come from Africa or Middle-east, just walk in. Who cares?

[@keijovalikangas2126]

💙🤍💙🤍

[@mikkotoikka3188]

How strange we all dont want invasion here..

[@user-rj1nj7vp2e]

Здравствуйте, Даша. А вы больше не снимайте на русскоязычном сайте. Очень жаль

[@Kokardi65]

tervetuloa kotiin