A favorable decision on the residence permit would cut the time awaiting a residence permit card abroad.
The Ministry of the Interior proposes extending the use of a long-term visa, known as the D visa.
Long-term visas would speed up entry into Finland for people who have been granted residence permits.
D visas could be granted to students, researchers, employees of certified employers, managers in companies and family members of the above-mentioned people.
The Finnish Immigration Service would issue a D visa in connection with a favorable decision on a residence permit. As result, the favorable decision would cut the time awaiting a residence permit card abroad.
A D visa could also be granted for entry to a residence permit holder residing abroad whose residence permit card has been lost, stolen or expired.
The Ministry of the Interior is also working on granting a temporary residence permit to young people from diplomatic families arriving in Finland until they reach the age of 20.
Currently, after turning 18, young people from diplomatic families must apply to the Finnish Immigration Service for an extension of their residence permit.
On February 11, President Sauli Niinistö approved legislative amendments under which a D visa can be issued to specialists, high-growth startup entrepreneurs and their family members.
The amendments that were prepared by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will enter into force on June 1.
In the future, the use of D visas can be extended to other categories of people with legislative amendments.
