Guide for Students: How to Apply for a Residence Permit for Studies in Finland

If you are a student planning to study in Finland and need to apply for a residence permit, our new guide is here to help! By answering a series of questions in the guide, you can quickly and easily find the information you need to apply for your residence permit for studies. The guide also includes a checklist of attachments required for your application, making the process even more straightforward.

This guide is specifically for students who are applying for their first residence permit for studies from outside of Finland using the online service Enter Finland. It contains step-by-step instructions on how to apply for a residence permit for studies and enables you to create a customized checklist based on your specific situation.

This guide was created in partnership with a variety of organizations, including the Finnish Immigration Service, Employment and Economic Development Offices (TE Offices), Finnish higher education institutions, Business Finland, Digital and Population Data Services Agency, KEHA Centre, Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment of Uusimaa, regional state administrative agencies, Finnish National Agency for Education, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economic Affairs and Employment, and Education and Culture.

The steps to apply for a residence permit for studies in Finland are as follows:

1. Start here:
Check whether you need a residence permit for studies and ensure that it is the right permit for your situation.

2. Get ready for applying for the permit:
Review the requirements for a residence permit for studies and prepare the attachments required for your application. You can download a checklist of attachments you need to add to your application.

3. Apply for a permit online:
Fill in, pay for, and submit your application using the online service Enter Finland.

4. Prove your identity:
Schedule an appointment to visit a Finnish mission or a VFS Global application center in your country of residence to prove your identity.

5. Follow the processing of your application:
You can track the progress of your application online in Enter Finland or by asking Kamu the chatbot.

6. Read the decision and receive your residence permit card:
If your application is approved, you can read the decision online in Enter Finland. Your residence permit card will be sent to the mission you visited.

7. Prepare for your life in Finland:
Learn about the Finnish personal identity code, register your home address and family relations, and get a municipality of residence. Also, find out how much you are allowed to work during your studies.

Remember, residence permits are granted by the Finnish Immigration Service. We hope this guide helps make the process of applying for a residence permit for studies in Finland as smooth as possible.

Take control of your immigration process today and get your residence permit for Finland hassle-free! Contact Migri now for expert guidance and support.