UK Visa for Finland: Moving to the UK

Overview of Moving to the UK from Finland

Cementing its reputation as being a melting pot of international cultures, the UK is one of the top 10 countries for Finns to emigrate to, with over 20,000 Fins residing in the country.

This is in part due to Finland’s long-standing membership of the EU, where Finns enjoyed visa-free travel and residency in the UK prior to Brexit.

Although the UK has now left the EU, there are still opportunities for Finns to live in the UK, such as through the EU Settlement Scheme and various visas.

These include work visas and Family visas, which allow family members of eligible UK sponsors to travel to the UK and join them.

EU Settlement Scheme for Finns

The UK’s main route for EU citizens to remain in the UK is the EU Settlement Scheme. This allows eligible EU citizens to permanently settle in the UK after Brexit.

Although the main deadline to apply for the scheme was 31 June 2021, there are still ways that Finns can apply for the scheme. For example, you can apply if:

• You have a Finnish (or other EU) family member who was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
• You’re exempt from immigration control, or you stopped being exempt from immigration control after 30 June 2021
• You’re already in the UK with limited leave to enter or remain in the UK (such as if you’re here on a work or study visa) which expires after 30 June 2021
• You’re a family member of a British citizen who you lived with in the EU
  • You must have lived with them in that country by 30 December 2020, and returned to the UK with them

You may also still be eligible to apply if you have ‘reasonable grounds’ for not applying before the main deadline, such as if you were in an abusive relationship, or if you had a medical condition that prevented you from applying.

UK Work Visas for Fins

The UK offers a range of long-term work visas that will eventually allow you to apply for permanent settlement (indefinite leave to remain) in the UK. Some of these visas include the following:

• Skilled Worker visa
• Health and Care Worker visa
• Scale-Up visa
• Innovator visa
• Global Talent visa
• Senior or Specialist Worker visa

Each of these visas has its own eligibility requirements and targets different types of workers. For example, the Skilled Worker visa is the main “general” work visa, covering a wide variety of professions, while the Innovator visa is specifically for those who wish to come and start an innovative business in the UK.

Note that only certain work visas will allow you to eventually settle permanently in the UK. Many UK work visas will only allow you to stay in the UK for a certain maximum period of time before you will have to leave or switch to another visa.

UK Family Visas from Finland

The UK offers a number of Family visas and the route which is right for you will depend on your specific family circumstances. The main paths to moving from Finland to the UK on a Family visa are outlined below.

Spouse visa 

You may be eligible for a UK Spouse visa if your spouse falls into one of the following categories: 

• British or Irish citizen 
• UK settled status 
• UK pre-settled status (if they started living in the UK before 1 January 2021) 
• Protected status (e.g. if they have humanitarian protection or refugee status and have leave to remain in the UK) 
• Leave to remain as a stateless person 

If you are married to or have a civil partnership with your partner and they fall into one of the above categories, this is likely to be the right visa route for you. 

Unmarried partner visa 

You may be eligible for a UK Unmarried Partner visa if your partner falls into one of the following categories: 

• British or Irish citizen 
• UK settled status 
• UK pre-settled status (if they started living in the UK before 1 January 2021) 
• Protected status (e.g. if they have humanitarian protection or refugee status and have leave to remain in the UK) 
• Leave to remain as a stateless person 

In order to be eligible for this visa type, your relationship will generally need to satisfy one of the following conditions: 

• Cohabitation for at least 2 years at the time of application (you will need to provide evidence of the cohabitation) 
• Alternatively, you have been together for at least 2 years but have been unable to live together (e.g. because of cultural considerations or because of working or studying in separate locations). Note that you will still need to provide evidence that you have been in a relationship for at least 2 years 

Fiance visa 

You may be eligible for the UK Fiance visa if you are engaged to your partner and they fall into one of the following categories: 

• British or Irish citizen 
• UK settled status 
• UK pre-settled status (if they started living in the UK before 1 January 2021) 
• Protected status (e.g. if they have humanitarian protection or refugee status and have leave to remain in the UK) 
• Leave to remain as a stateless person

Note that the marriage ceremony or civil service will need to take place within 6 months of your arrival in the UK. 

Dependant visa 

If your partner, spouse, or parent is living in the UK on an eligible visa, you may be able to obtain a Dependant visa. In order to qualify as a dependant, you will generally need to fall into one of the following categories: 

• Spouse or partner 
• Minor child 
• Adult child who is the dependant of the individual with the eligible UK visa 

In the case of the spouse or partner route, you will need to satisfy one of the following criteria: 

• Married or in a civil partnership 
• Cohabiting for at least 2 years 
• Together for at least 2 years but unable to live together (e.g. because of cultural considerations or working or studying in different places). In this latter case, you will need to provide evidence that you were still in a relationship during this time 

Innovator founder visa UK from Finland

The Innovator Founder visa is intended for overseas entrepreneurs looking to start a business in the UK. If you are a Finnish business person looking to relocate to the UK, this is likely the best route for you. 

In order to be eligible for this route, you will need to provide evidence that your business idea is new, innovative (i.e. an original business idea), viable, and scalable (e.g. will lead to job growth and expansion into national and international markets). 

You will also need to receive an endorsement from an approved endorsing body and prove that you have sufficient English language skills.

Student visa UK from Finland

If you are looking to move to the UK in order to pursue study, a Student visa is likely to be the best fit. In order to be eligible for this visa route, you will generally have to satisfy the following eligibility criteria: 

• Have an offer from a licenced student sponsor 
• Have sufficient funds to support yourself for the duration of your course (this can take numerous forms, such as proof of a scholarship or of private financial means) 
• Have sufficient English language skills 
• If you are a minor, have documented consent from your parents

UK Visa Application Process from Finland

The exact application steps for a UK visa will depend on the specific route which you are taking. In general, however, you will need to submit your application online, via the UK government website. 

As part of your application, you will also need to verify your identity. You will need to do so either using the UK Immigration: ID Check app or by providing your biometric data at an in-person visa application centre. In Finland, the only UK visa application centre is in Helsinki. 

Once you have completed all the necessary steps, your application will then be processed.

In order to avoid delays, make sure to submit your application correctly and to promptly provide any additional information which is requested.

Legal Requirements for UK Visa Application for Finnish citizens

There are a number of legal requirements for UK visa applicants from Finland. 

Firstly, applicants will need to provide a wide range of evidence to prove their eligibility for the visa in question. This will depend on the particular route, but will include documents like: 

• Passport (or equivalent travel document) 
• Proof of familial relationship (where applicable) 
• Proof of sufficient financial means (where applicable) 
• Proof of sufficient English language ability (where applicable) 

Upon arrival in the UK, applicants will need to ensure that they maintain legal status and stick to the requirements of their visa. For instance, if there are restrictions on the type of work which the holder is eligible to do within the UK, the holder will need to adhere to these restrictions.

UK Visa Fees and Cost of Moving to UK

The fee for a UK visa depends on the route in question and whether you are applying from within or outside of the UK. For example, the cost of a Spouse visa is £1,321if you are from within the UK and £1,938 if you are applying from outside of the UK. The cost of an Innovator Founder visa is £1,590 if you are applying from within the UK and £1,274 if you are applying from outside of the UK. The cost of a UK Student visa is £524. 

You will likely also need to pay the UK healthcare surcharge, which allows you to access the UK national health service (NHS). At the time of writing in April 2025, this is generally £1035, though the exact cost depends on your age and visa type. 

Settling in the UK: Rights and Responsibilities

Once you have arrived in the UK, your exact rights and responsibilities will depend on your visa route. For instance, if you are in the UK on a Student visa, there will be strict rules regarding the types of work you can engage in. If you are in the UK on a Family visa, however, you will generally be able to study and work in the UK for the duration of your legal stay in the country.

Some visas, such as Family visas and Innovator Founder visas, provide a route to permanent settlement in the UK. Generally, you will need to live legally and continuously in the UK for 5 years in order to be eligible (this reduces to 3 years if you are in the UK on an Innovator Founder visa). Student visas, however, do not provide a direct route to UK permanent residence. 

Once you have permanent residence status (known in the UK as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) you can generally apply for UK citizenship after a year. 

Citizenship: UK and Finnish Regulations

Once you have lived legally and continuously in the UK for a sufficient period of time, you may become eligible for UK citizenship. 

Both Finland and the UK allow dual citizenship. This means that, if you are a Finnish citizen, you will not need to renounce your Finnish citizenship in order to become a citizen of the UK; you can hold citizenship of both countries simultaneously. 

Once you have become a British citizen, you will gain access to the numerous benefits associated with UK citizenship, including voting in UK elections and obtaining a British passport.

Relocation Assistance to Move to UK from Finland

IAS is here to help you with the whole of your immigration journey to the UK. Alongside legal assistance with obtaining a visa, we offer a wide range of other relocation services, including: 

• Pre-departure planning 
• Logistics and shipping assistance
• Home finding assistance 
• Home sales and management 
• School/education assistance 
• Settling in services 
• Orientation and cultural integration 
• Travel and trip planning 
• Pet relocation services 
• Corporate and business relocation 

We are committed to making your entire immigration journey as smooth as possible, even once you arrive in your new home. For more information on any of the services listed here, enquiries on any relocation services you require which aren’t listed, and for bespoke immigration advice from our legal experts, contact us today on +44 (0)333 414 9244.

Moving to UK from Finland Checklist

Moving to the UK is an exciting step and brings many opportunities. However, there are a number of steps which you will need to complete, including:

• Working out which visa route is right for you, and ensuring you satisfy all of the eligibility criteria
• Preparing and submitting your application (including gathering all of the required documents)
• Preparing for your move to the UK
• Arriving in the UK and getting orientated
• Later down the line, applying for permanent residence and citizenship, if applicable

At IAS, we can help you with every item on the checklist. Contact us today on +44 (0)333 414 9244 to learn more.

How Can IAS Help?

When moving to another country such as the UK, it’s essential that you have all of the tools and knowledge you need to make the transition a smooth one.

For instance, you need to ensure that you’re kept well up to date on the requirements for visas and immigration for wherever you’ll be emigrating to.

If you need any additional assistance with your move to the UK, IAS can help.

We are expert and professional immigration advisers who can help advise and support your move to the UK. Whether you need additional help when you apply for a UK visa, concierge services to help with the logistics of moving, or anything else to do with emigration, we can help.

For more information about the services we offer and what we can do for you, reach out to us on +44 (0)333 414 9244, or contact us online today.