The Overall Process of Student Residence Permit of Finland

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Are you planning to study in Finland? Well, the need to get a Finland Student Visa depends on your nationality. Please note that “Finland Student Visa” and “Finland Student Resident Permit” are not the same. We need to understand the meaning of student visa and student residence permit of Finland.

Differences Between Study Visa and Student Residence Permit of Finland

Student visa of Finland is a temporary permit issued to an international student willing to study at any higher education institution in Finland for a maximum of 3 months (90 days). This visa is suitable for students ready to enroll in any language courses, short-term training, and university entrance examination.

On the other hand, a Student Residence Permit of Finland is for an international student planning to study at any Finnish Higher Education Institution for more than three months (90 days). However, throughout this article, we can use “Finland Student Resident Permit” and “Finland Student Visa” interchangeably. 

If you are an EEA country or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, you don’t need to have a Finnish Residence Permit to study in Finland. However, you are required to register your right to the residence with local authorities (police station) if your stay exceeds three months.

It’s mandatory for you to register within six months if you are a citizen of a Nordic country. Finland student visa will cost you around euro 54. Nordic country citizens Read more from MIGRI.FI.

You don’t need a residence permit or Finnish student visa if you are a resident of any following countries:

If you are a student not from an EEA country or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland and your study program is more than three months; you must apply for a student visa in Finland. So, the Finland student visa will cost you around euro 360, and some renewal fees are also applicable. 

Steps Need to Follow for Student Residence Permit Application

These are the steps you need to follow for your resident permit application:

• Fill the application online or by paper. Submit all the necessary documents asked for.

• Book an appointment with the Finnish embassy or consulate. If your residence country doesn’t have a Finnish embassy or consulate, contact the closest consulate/embassy. 

• Pay the application fee online and book an appointment.

• Attend the appointment with all your original documents

• Student visa processing time in Finland will be around 1-3 months. The embassy/consulate will let you know through email.

• Collecting your residence permit is approved. If your residence permit is rejected, the embassy will outline the reasons and ways to follow for an appeal.

Student Visa Requirements in Finland:

To apply for your student visa, you are required to present the following documents:

• Completed application Form 

• Color Photograph ( 500*653 pixels)

• Valid passport 

• Color copies of the passport page containing personal data and notes

• The document shows that you are legally residing in the country you are currently residing in.

• Form Mp_1 (If you are currently residing in Finland)

• Acceptance Letter 

• Clarification of Income 

• Health Insurance 

• Paid tuition fee receipt or Scholarship letter 

• Potential certificates of employment 

• Translate all documents in either Finnish/Swedish or English. 

When you can’t apply for Resident Permit:

While most students who have a valid acceptance letter from any Finnish University or University of applied sciences can apply for Finnish Residence Permit, You may not be eligible to apply if you: 

• Have already applied for asylum in Finland. You will not be able to apply for a Finnish residence permit as long as you have a pending asylum application. However, you can apply for the resident permit if you cancel your asylum application. 

• Have deportation decision 

• Have international protection in an EU member state. 

Funds to Show for Student Residence Permit of Finland:

• Two-Year Residence Permit: 

If your study program consists of more than two years, you will be granted a two-year residence permit. You have to have at least Euro 560/month for accommodation, food, and other needs totaling around at least Euro 13,400 (Euro 560 * 24 months) in your bank account. 

• One Year Residence Permit: 

If your study program consists of a one-year program, then you will be granted a one-year residence permit. You have to have at least Euro 560/month for accommodation, food, and other needs totaling around at least Euro 6,720(Euro 560 * 12 months) in your bank account. 

If your institution provides you with free accommodation, you need to show Euro 280 (280*12months) totaling Euro 3,360 if your program is for one year or Euro 6,720 (280 * 24) if your program is for two years. 

If your university provides you with free meals with free accommodation, you need to have Euro 195 (195 *12 months) totaling Euro 2,340 for one year and (195*24 months) totaling Euro 4,680 two years. 

Income verification for Finnish Student Residence Permit: 

• Your bank statement must show the account holder’s name, the bank’s name, and the currency. 

• The funds must be on your bank account but not in a joint agreement with relatives, friends, or employees.

• If your funds came from your parents or relatives (as a sponsor) that you have to prove the source of income with additional documents.

• Make sure the bank you have opened a bank account with supports the withdrawal of money in Finland.

You can read more on this website: https://migri.fi/en/means-of-support

Do you need to apply for a Resident Permit of Finland? Click here to read the full official documentation. 

Other Important things to note: 

To apply for Finnish Student Visa successfully, you must have:

• No criminal records

• Intention to leave Finland in due time.

• Good physical and mental health from any contagious diseases.

• Provide biometric data to nearest Finnish Embassy or Consulate

• Submitted any falsified documents or misrepresented any documents

These are the official Finnish sources that have information about your residence permit application process. 

• Migri (Finnish Immigration Service)

• EnterFinland (https://enterfinland.fi/eServices/)

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