Student Visa for Finland

Finland uses the term residence permit for studies rather than “student visa.” You should apply for this if you have been accepted to an educational institution in Finland and your studies lead to a degree or a vocational qualification, or if you are coming as an exchange student. You must apply for your first residence permit abroad; only extensions are applied for in Finland. Programmes that are mainly online and do not require you to stay in Finland do not qualify. If you plan a short visit instead, the page directs you to check separately whether you need a visa. Where pages differ, we follow the main application page.

You submit your application online in Enter Finland (the official e-service) or on paper. After you fill in the form and add your attachments, you must pay the processing fee and prove your identity—typically at a Finnish mission abroad by appointment. The page emphasises that first residence permits are applied for before travel; you can only apply for an extended permit once in Finland.

To avoid delays, prepare your documents in advance and consider using the e-service (the online fee is lower). If you cannot use Enter Finland, you may apply on paper and pay when you present yourself at the mission. The page also allows you to apply for a 100-day D visa at the same time as your residence permit if you can travel within two weeks of approval; this lets you enter Finland immediately and collect your residence permit card at a collection point in Finland.

Provide the general attachments: a valid passport (present it when you submit the application), a passport photo that meets the Police photo guidelines or a photo retrieval code, and a colour copy of the biodata page. If relevant, add proof that you are legally staying in the country where you submit the application (for example, a local visa or residence permit). If you are already in Finland and applying for a first residence permit, the page lists Form MP_1 among the attachments.

Add application-specific attachments: your Finnish institution’s certificate of acceptance/attendance, documentation of sufficient financial resources (including a bank statement covering the past 6 months), a certificate of insurance, and proof of paid tuition fee or a scholarship certificate. If your documents are not in English or Finnish, have them translated and, if necessary, legalised, and attach both the translation and original. Applicants under 18 must also attach a birth certificate and guardian’s consent to move to Finland.

No information specified.

You must be able to support yourself for the entire duration of your studies. The page states you need at least EUR 800 per month for living costs and that you must add to your application proof of financing for the first year, which means EUR 9,600 in your bank account when you submit the application. If your studies are shorter than one year, you must have EUR 800 per month for the duration. If you will pay tuition later, you must also have the tuition amount available in your account at submission. If your educational institution supports your living (for example, meals or housing), attach documents of that support.

When documenting finances, submit a bank statement for the past six months that shows the account holder, account number, balance, currency, and transactions. You may also present scholarship or student loan documentation, or proof that tuition has been paid (which can cover that portion). The page clarifies that you cannot use the funds reserved for day-to-day living to pay tuition, so ensure your proofs clearly cover both expenses.

Students must have insurance that covers medical and pharmaceutical expenses unless they have a Kela card, EHIC, or UK GHIC that remains valid after moving to Finland. Insurance must be valid on arrival and throughout your stay; for stays under one year, it must cover the entire stay without gaps. The excess may not exceed EUR 300.

Coverage levels depend on programme length. If your studies last less than two years, your insurance must cover medical expenses up to EUR 120,000. If your studies last at least two years, your insurance must cover pharmaceutical expenses up to EUR 40,000. The page lists examples of international student insurers that meet the requirements, but notes each policy is assessed individually; make sure your certificate shows your personal details, validity, area, coverage, insured sums, and excess.

Yes. With a residence permit for studies, you are allowed to work in paid employment in any field for an average of 30 hours per week. You may exceed the limit in some weeks as long as your yearly average does not exceed 30 hours per week. Both you and your employer are responsible for ensuring the limit is not exceeded.

Family members (for example, spouse/registered partner and children under 18) can apply for their own residence permits to join you. Processing of students’ permits is prioritised so family members may receive their decisions later than the student. Family applicants must show that the family has enough money for living in Finland, with bank statements for the past 6 months from the accounts being used. The required income depends on where in Finland you live and on family size; the page gives an example for the Helsinki region and links to municipality-specific sums.

The type of permit issued to family depends on your studies. If you are a higher education student leading to a degree, family members are issued an A permit (continuous)—first permit up to one year, and extensions up to four years. For other student categories, family members are generally issued a B permit (temporary) with similar maximum durations, and some rights—such as access to public healthcare—depend on municipality of residence. Family members granted a permit on the basis of family ties have an unrestricted right to work and study in Finland.

Information not available on official sources. You can check the current estimated processing times via the agency’s Processing times page and the Processing Time Checker linked from the main application page.

The electronic application fee for a first residence permit is 450 € for adults and 270 € for minors. The paper application fee is 550 € for adults and 300 € for minors. You can pay online (credit card or Finnish online banking) when you submit in Enter Finland, or you can pay at the Finnish mission when you prove your identity, depending on the submission channel.

If you applied simultaneously for a D visa, you can travel to Finland as soon as your residence permit is issued and the D-visa sticker is placed in your passport. In that case, you must collect your residence permit card at a collection point in Finland. Border authorities may ask you to prove that you still meet the permit requirements on entry (for example, having sufficient funds), so keep your documents handy.

If you did not use a D visa, you will normally wait for your residence permit card to be issued after identity verification at a mission abroad. In all cases, follow the instructions you receive through Enter Finland or from the mission, and ensure your insurance remains valid and that you continue to meet financial requirements when you enter Finland.

Prepare early in Enter Finland: gather all required attachments, including the six-month bank statement, insurance certificate, and admission letter, and pay the correct fee before booking your identity appointment. If your documents are not in English or Finnish, include certified translations and, where required, legalisation. Submitting a complete application helps avoid requests for additional information and keeps your case moving.

Match your finances precisely to what the page requires: EUR 800 per month (EUR 9,600 per year) for living costs, plus tuition if unpaid at submission. If your institution provides housing or meals, attach proof of that support. If you can travel soon after a decision, consider requesting the 100-day D visa together with your application so you can enter Finland immediately and pick up your card in Finland.

This guide was written by Modoante using original research and information gathered from official education and immigration resources. Always verify deadlines and requirements on the official university or government portal before submitting your applications/documents.

Visit the Finnish Immigration Service

https://migri.fi/en/residence-permit-application-for-studies

This guide summarises official information as accessed on 3 October 2025. Immigration rules change; always check the official website before applying. This is not legal advice.