Submitting the Residence Permit

So today I had my appointment with the Foreign Police.

In order to stay in Finland you have a residence permit. There is quite a lot of paperwork that needs to be completed.

First, you have your employer fill out these papers. Then you fill out your own papers. Since I am applying for residency from within Finland (they recommend you do it from your home country) I have to fill out this form called "Response to possible refusal of entry and prohibition of entry."

There are 2 questions on there that are interesting. Essentially they ask:

1. If your application is rejected, do you object to being deported and prohibited from re-entering the country?
2. If your application is rejected, do you object to your visa being canceled

Its rather fully b/c I don't know how you would answer it. Will someone really say "Oh.. yeah that is fine. Please, kick me out, bar me from coming back. I didn't want to be here anyway"

So anyway yes you have that form, then copy of work contract... 2 photos that must meet 2 pages of criteria... €250. I also took bank statements, insurance statements, education documents etc just in case.

So anyway I turned in the paperwork and now I just have to wait a few months to find out what will happen. The lady I talked to said I can stay in the country while the application is being processed. This is good news b/c I was under the impression I would have to leave if my 90 day tourist visa expires.. and then come back depending on the decision. I asked her if she can give me some kind of "documentation" showing this, but she could not and referred my to the Aliens Act paperwork. I think I found the proof but I am not sure. I'll contact the relocation agency to have them verify.

So anyways for now I'm on my way to being legal. Monday I'll go to another office to get my Finnish ID number.. yay!

--- update --

So it does look like I can stay until the decision is finished.. that is really good.. will save flying back to the USA :O)