Technical difficulties in Enter Finland:
- Some requests for additional information cannot be viewed or opened in Enter Finland. If you have received a request for additional information but are unable to open it, please wait and we will send you a new one. You can find more information on our website.
- The start page menu is not displayed properly on all mobile phones. If you cannot see the entire menu, rotate your mobile phone horizontally or use a computer.
- Problems with making payments if payment of processing fee gets interrupted before confirmation
Studying in Finland
This residence permit application is for you if you are coming to Finland to study at a Finnish educational institution at which you have already been accepted as a student. If you are an EU national, you do not need to apply for a residence permit. You can travel to Finland and register your right of residence instead.
Before you apply for a residence permit for studies, read the requirements for the residence permit on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service: Residence permit application for studies (migri.fi)
The studies must lead to a degree or vocational qualification. Applicable educational institutions include universities and universities of applied sciences, vocational education institutions and, in the case of exchange students, any of the above and upper secondary schools. In special cases, a residence permit for study may be issued for studies other than those described above (e.g. exchange studies).
In Finland you must take responsibility for supporting yourself. It is difficult for a student to find work in Finland. Before you come to Finland, make sure that your finances will be sufficient for the entire period of your studies. Read more about the sufficient funds here: Income requirement for students.
As a student you will be responsible for your illness-related expenses in Finland. You will need private insurance for your residence permit to cover your medical and drug expenses.
If you have family members who will move to Finland with you, they can apply for a residence permit at the same time. The goal of the Finnish Immigration Service is to make a decision on your whole family's applications simultaneously, but this is not always possible. You must be able to support the livelihood of both yourself and your family in Finland. Your spouse must make their own account to send their application. You may send the application for your child through your own account.
We may issue an automated decision on your application. For more information about automated decisions, see: Automated decision. The decision will follow the processing rules that are in force at the time when the decision is made.
Get ready
Check that you have all the necessary attachments and information before you begin. You must have at least:
- a valid passport
- a certificate of acceptance from a Finnish educational institution
- a clarification on income
- a clarification on tuition fee or scholarship, if applicable
- a certificate of health insurance.
If other attachments are required, this will be indicated in the application. If there is a tuition fee for your studies but you have not yet paid the tuition fee, you must show evidence of sufficient funds to both pay the tuition fee and support yourself.
Before you apply for a residence permit for studies, read the requirements for the residence permit on the website of the Finnish Immigration Service: Residence permit application for studies (migri.fi)
Fill in the application and pay the fee
Complete the application form and attach all the required documents. Select your service point. The service point is where you prove your identity. You will find more information at migri.fi/en/identification. If you are applying for a permit abroad, visit a Finnish embassy or consulate. If you are applying in Finland, visit a Migri service point. Please take into account that the service points can be very busy. If you are in Finland, you can book an appointment before submitting an application in Migri's appointments system. If you are abroad, contact the embassy or consulate directly.
Book an appointment to visit a service point
The processing of an application is subject to a fee. You can pay the processing fee with most credit cards, or use the online banking services provided by Finnish banks. You can also pay the processing fee at the embassy or at the Migri service point during your visit to prove your identity.
Visit the selected authority to prove your identity
When you have submitted your application via the e-service, you must visit the service point you selected in order to prove your identity, to present the original copies of the attachments required for your application and to have your fingerprints taken. Remember to take a passport photo with you. Passport photo guidelines can be found on the website of the Finnish Police.
Follow the processing
You can follow the processing of your application in the e-service. If further information or documents are required for your application, we will send you a request primarily through the e-service. You will receive a notification when the decision has been made and can be read online.