You must obtain a residence permit if you intend to study in Finland for over 90 days.
If you wish to study in Finland, you must be accepted as a student at an educational institution in Finland. The studies must lead to a degree or vocational qualification and must be carried out in higher education institutions such as universities and universities of applied sciences, upper secondary schools and vocational education institutions. Your studies can also be exchange studies at any of these educational institutions.
You must prove that you have sufficient means (study grant, specific allowances or other allowances) to cover your needs for the duration of your studies in Finland. 560 EUR net per month is considered a sufficient level. For a two-year stay, you must have EUR 13,440 at your disposal.
You must prove you have insurance to cover healthcare of up to 120,000 EUR if your studies do not exceed two years. If your studies exceed two years, you have access to the local public healthcare services and an insurance policy covering healthcare costs of up to 40,000 EUR is sufficient.
| Where and how to apply (including information on fees) | Submit your application in the e-service Enter Finland. After you have submitted your application, you have to visit the Finnish diplomatic mission or consulate in your country of origin/residence to prove your identity and have your fingerprints taken. A paper application is submitted to the Finnish diplomatic mission or consulate in your country of origin/residence. Processing fee (EUR): online 300, paper application 360 |
| Documents required | General documents:
Application-specific documents:
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| Duration of validity of permits | The residence permit for studies is valid for two years, unless you apply for it for a shorter period. However, the residence permit is only valid for the duration of your studies, if your studies take less than two years. You will be granted a temporary residence permit (permit B). |
| Further requirements | If the duration of your stay will exceed one year, you should register on arrival at the Local Register OfficeSearch for available translations of the preceding link in the municipality where you will reside. |
| Conditions for renewal | Apply for an extended permit before your residence permit expires. If you still meet the same requirements you met when your previous residence permit was granted to you, the Finnish Immigration Service will grant you an extended permit. Alternatively, you can apply for an extended permit on new grounds. Remember that you need to meet the requirements for the residence permit you apply for. |
| Appeals | It is possible to appeal negative decisions made by the Finnish Immigration Service before an Administrative Court 30 days following the notification. The appeal procedures are indicated in the decision. A rejection from the Administrative Court can be appealed as a last resort to the Supreme Administrative Court. You will need to apply for leave to appeal. |
| Employment during studies | < The residence permit for studies enables you to work without restrictions if your work is related to your degree. This means practical training and thesis work. You also have a right to have other jobs but the following restrictions apply:
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| Stay and employment after studies | After you obtain your diploma, your residence permit may be renewed for a year so that you can look for work. |
| Change of status | After you obtain your diploma, you may be able to apply for a new residence permit on the basis of work immediately after you have found a job. If you are not yet employed, you may apply for a residence permit for seeking work. |
| Change of status | Regarding your study period, you cannot request a continuous residence permit (permit A), as the residence permit for study is always considered as a temporary permit. If the grounds for your residence change and you meet the necessary conditions, you should apply for a new residence permit (for example employment or family ties). |
| Family members | |
You may apply to reunite in Finland with your spouse (and same sex registered partner) and your unmarried minor children. Partners who have been living continuously in a marriage-like relationship within the same household for at least two years also benefit from family reunification. The two year period is not required if the relationship has resulted in any children. The residence permit granted to your family member is valid for the same duration as your residence permit. It grants full access to employment and education. | |
| Long-term residence | Regarding your study period, you cannot be granted a permanent residence permit or a long-term resident EC residence permit, as the residence permit for study is always considered on a temporary basis. |
If you have a permit/visa for studies in an EU country and are covered by an EU or multilateral programme or an agreement between universities, you may carry out part of your studies and work (in addition to your studies) in Finland if you fulfil certain requirements. You may reside and study in Finland for up to 360 days.
If you are not covered by a programme or agreement, you can apply for a new permit/visa in Finland (please see hereSearch for available translations of the preceding link and hereSearch for available translations of the preceding link).
Procedure
If you intend to carry out part of your studies in Finland, you must submit a mobility notification to the Finnish Immigration Service. You must meet the following conditions:
you have a valid residence permit issued by another EU Member State and
your studies are covered by a Union or multilateral programme that comprises mobility measures or by an agreement between two or more higher education institutions
you are a student at a higher education institution
With a mobility notification, you can study in Finland for a period up to 360 days.
Documents required
A copy of a valid passport and of the permit issued by the first Member State covering the period of the mobility,
the planned duration and dates of the mobility, if they are not specified in the agreement or in other documents,
evidence that you have sufficient financial resources for the duration of the mobility period, as you must have EUR 560 per month at your disposal,
evidence that the processing fee for the mobility notification (EUR 100) has been paid,
evidence that the part of your studies you will carry out in Finland is covered by a Union or multilateral programme that comprises mobility measures or by an agreement between two or more higher education institutions,
evidence that you have been accepted to study at a higher education institution in Finland,
evidence that the fees charged by the higher education institution have been paid,
documentation of insurance.
Applicable fee
Processing fee is 100 EUR.
Allowed number of working hours/days
If the Finnish Immigration Service does not object to your mobility period, you can work without restrictions if your work is related to your degree. This means practical training and thesis work. You also have a right to have other jobs but the following restrictions apply:
You may only work for an average of 25 hours per week during the academic terms.
The number of working hours is not restricted on a weekly level. This means that you can adjust your weekly working hours during the academic term, as long as you work for 25 hours a week on average.
You can work without restrictions at the times when your educational institution offers no instruction.
Other information
Students who exercised mobility in Finland are not allowed to apply, after their studies, for a permit for job-searching. The normal procedure for applying a residence permit for entrepreneur can be found on this page