Getting married in Finland can be a dream come true for some, but it comes with its own set of challenges. The first is getting your visa approved, which can be difficult if you lack funds and a job. However, once you have your visa, the process of getting married in Finland is relatively easy. You just need to send all the required documents to your partner in Finland, who can submit them to the DVV and wait for your non-impediments to marry.
Keep in mind that disclosing your marriage to the embassy when you apply for your visa can be tricky, as Finland doesn't have a marriage or fiancé visa. It's up to you to weigh your chances of getting your visa approved.
For individuals with limited funds who wish to marry in Finland, it is possible to request shorter durations such as 15 or 30 days. This duration should be sufficient for a simple civil wedding at DVV premises, which are typically free during working hours and available for a fee of 250 euro outside of office hours. Prior to the wedding, it is recommended to request a copy of the marriage certificate to receive it immediately after the ceremony. A marriage at DVV premises typically lasts for 15 to 30 minutes and requires two witnesses. If time permits during your stay, you may also apply for a residence permit immediately. However, this can only be done if your visa is still valid. After submitting your residence permit application on Enter Finland, you may be allowed to remain in the country until a decision is reached, even if your visa has expired.
In certain instances, the embassy may issue a letter along with your approved visa requiring you to return to Manila within 15 days of your arrival to report to the embassy with your passport. In such a situation, it may be complicated to stay in Finland and wait for your residence permit result, so it is important to consider what is best for your circumstances. Remember, the fact that you were able to marry and apply for a residence permit in Finland is already a positive outcome. Therefore, temporarily leaving Finland to await your residence permit in Manila is not a significant inconvenience.
Many Finnish individuals choose to marry in Finland for practical reasons, such as the ease of filing for a prenuptial agreement. This not only helps protect their assets but also simplifies the divorce process by ensuring that only child support, and not any assets, are at stake. In contrast, divorcing after marrying in Finland can be more complex, as the Filipino ex-spouse may need to file a petition to have the divorce recognized in their Regional Trial Court.
There are advantages for Filipinas marrying in Finland as well, particularly for those who choose not to file a Report of Marriage at the Philippine consulate in Espoo. Without this filing, their marriage may not be recorded in the Philippine Statistics Authority, allowing them to be considered single in the Philippines. Additionally, if a Finnish spouse initiates a divorce, the Filipina can remarry without the need for a petition to recognize the foreign divorce. This is possible due to the absence of any reported filings related to the marriage.
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