Finland student visa: Complete guide 2026

What Is the Finland Student Visa?

The Finland Student Visa is a residence permit for studies issued by the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri). It allows non-EU/EEA nationals to live in Finland and study full-time at a recognized institution for more than 90 days. The application is a two-part process: the application form and fee are submitted online through the Enter Finland portal, and original supporting documents are submitted in person at a Finnish embassy or consulate abroad, where biometrics are taken. Migri begins processing only once both parts are complete. The permit is granted for the full duration of your studies and does not require annual renewal.

Degree students completing a full higher education program are granted a continuous (A) permit, which counts toward the residency requirement for a permanent residence permit. Students in other study programs receive a temporary (B) permit, which does not.

Who Is It For?

• Nationality: Non-EU/EEA nationals.

  
  

• Study program: You must be accepted as a student at a recognized Finnish educational institution, such as a university, university of applied sciences, vocational education institution, or general upper secondary school, and your studies must lead to a degree or vocational qualification. Postgraduate studies after a completed master's degree require a research permit, not a student permit.

  
  

• Financial means: You must have at least €800 per month at your disposal to cover living expenses. For a first permit application, you must have at least €9,600 in your bank account at the time of submitting your application. If your studies last less than one year, you must have €800 for each month of your planned stay. Importantly, if you have not yet paid your tuition fee at the time of application, the money to cover it must also be in your bank account separately; funds for living expenses cannot be used toward tuition. Work income is not accepted as the primary basis for meeting the financial requirement for the first permit.

  
  

• Health insurance: You must hold private health insurance covering medical and pharmaceutical expenses for the duration of your stay. Students with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), a Kela card, or a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) are exempt from this requirement.

What the Visa Allows

• Residency: The permit allows you to live in Finland for the duration of your studies. It is issued for the full length of your program and does not require annual renewal. You must meet all permit conditions throughout your stay.

  
  

• Work: You may work in paid employment in any field for an average of 30 hours per week. Your working hours can vary week to week as long as they average no more than 30 hours per week by year's end. Your work must not slow down the progress of your studies.

  
  

• Family: Your spouse, registered partner, and children under 18 may apply for accompanying permits. Their applications can be processed at the same time as your application, though this is not always possible. You must be able to support both yourself and your family financially.

  
  

• After graduation: After completing your degree in Finland, you may apply for a continuous (A) permit to seek work or start a business. The permit is valid for two years and must be applied for within five years of your student permit expiring. You must have at least €800 per month in funds. If you find qualifying employment, you can apply for a work-based residence permit.

Documents You'll Need to Prepare

Documents not in Finnish, Swedish, or English must be accompanied by a certified translation. Translations must be made by an authorized translator and may also need to be legalized, depending on your country of origin; check with the Finnish embassy in your country before applying.

• Passport: Valid for the entire duration of your intended stay. Submit the original in person at your embassy appointment. Include copies of all pages.

  
  

• Passport-style photos: Two recent photos meeting Finnish visa photo requirements.

  
  

• Acceptance letter: Official letter from your Finnish institution confirming that you have been accepted as a student for studies leading to a degree or vocational qualification.

  
  

• Bank statement: Covering the past six months, showing a balance of at least €9,600 for living expenses at the time of submission, or €800 multiplied by the number of months of your planned stay if your studies last less than one year. If your tuition fee has not yet been paid, the funds to cover it must also be in the account on top of the living expenses requirement. The account may be held in any country, provided you can access the funds in Finland. If you are under 18, a joint account held with your guardian is accepted. Sponsorship letters from relatives, friends, or employers are not accepted as a substitute for funds in your own account. If you received the money from parents or relatives, Migri may ask for additional documentation on the origin of the funds.

  
  

• Proof of tuition fee payment or scholarship: If you have already paid your tuition fee, attach confirmation of payment. If you have received a scholarship covering the tuition fee, attach a certificate from your institution. If you have not yet paid the tuition fee, the funds must be included in your bank statement.

  
  

• Health insurance certificate: A certificate from a private insurer confirming coverage of at least €120,000 in medical expenses if your studies will last less than two years, or at least €40,000 if your studies will last two years or more. Not required if you hold a valid EHIC, Kela card, or UK GHIC.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Secure admission

Apply to and receive an official acceptance letter from a recognized Finnish institution. Your studies must lead to a degree or vocational qualification.

Step 2: Complete the online application form and pay the fee

Create an account on the Enter Finland portal and complete your application form. Pay the application fee of €600 for an online application. If you require a visa to enter Finland, you may also apply for an optional 100-day Type D visa at the same time; the fee is €95 for an online application. Applying for the D visa means your residence card will be delivered to a collection point in Finland rather than to the embassy abroad, allowing you to travel sooner. Only apply for the D visa if you expect to travel within two weeks of your permit being approved.

Step 3: Submit your documents and provide biometrics at the embassy

Visit a Finnish mission or a VFS Global application center designated for your country of residence. Attend in person to present your original passport and supporting documents, and to have your fingerprints and photograph taken. Do this as soon as possible after completing the online form, as Migri cannot begin processing until this step is complete.

Step 4: Wait for a decision

Most complete applications are decided within around one month. Applications that are missing required documents or require additional investigation take significantly longer. Ensure all required documents are complete before submitting. You can track your application status through your Enter Finland account.

Step 5: Travel to Finland and collect your residence permit card

If you required a visa and applied for a D visa, travel to Finland using the visa sticker in your passport. Your residence card will be available at a designated collection point in Finland; you will receive collection instructions with your permit decision. If you required a visa but did not apply for a D visa, your residence card will be delivered to the Finnish mission where you provided biometrics, or to the nearest Finnish mission if you provided biometrics at a VFS Global center. Collect the card before traveling. If you are visa-exempt, travel to Finland freely and collect your card at a designated collection point in Finland. In all cases, bring your passport and permit decision letter to the collection appointment.

Step 6: Register your address and obtain your personal identity code

You must complete DVV registration within three months of arriving in Finland. Before your appointment, fill in the registration form online. Appointments are booked through the same page under "Registration of a foreigner's personal data." Check with your institution first, as many universities arrange a joint DVV registration during orientation week. Bring your passport and residence permit card to the appointment. If your studies will last for at least two years, select the option for a permanent address and municipality of residence (kotikunta) in the registration form, which entitles you to subsidized public healthcare through Kela and allows you to apply for a Finnish ID card later. Your Finnish personal identity code (henkilötunnus) is printed on your residence permit card. If it is not, DVV will issue it at your registration appointment. Registration is free of charge.

Costs and Fees

The application fee is €600 for an online application and €750 for a paper application. For online applications, the fee is paid through Enter Finland at the time of submission by credit card or Finnish online banking. For paper applications, the fee is paid in person at the Finnish mission when you attend your biometrics appointment. Both fees are non-refundable once processing has begun. If you apply for the optional D visa at the same time, the additional fee is €95 for an online application and €120 for a paper application.

Good to Know

A permit vs B permit: Degree students completing a full higher education program in Finland receive a continuous (A) permit. Time spent in Finland on an A permit counts toward the residency requirement for a permanent residence permit. Students in other programs receive a temporary (B) permit, which does not count toward permanent residence.

Academic progress: To extend your permit, you must have completed at least 45 credits during the academic year. If you have completed fewer, you must attach a statement explaining the reasons.

Schengen travel: A valid Finnish residence permit allows you to travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. It does not grant the right to work in other Schengen countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for the permit from within Finland?

No. First residence permit applications must be submitted from abroad.

Can I work while studying?

Yes. Your student permit automatically includes the right to work in any field for an average of 30 hours per week. No separate work permit is required.

Can I bring my family?

Yes. Your spouse, registered partner, and children under 18 may apply for accompanying permits. Their applications can be submitted and processed alongside yours. You must be able to support both yourself and your family financially.

What if my application is refused?

You will receive a written decision explaining the grounds for refusal. You may appeal the decision to the Administrative Court within 30 days of receiving it.

What happens to my permit if I change institutions or programs?

In most cases, you do not need to submit a new application. However, you must notify Migri if you switch from an upper secondary school to a higher education institution, or from a higher education institution to an upper secondary school. For other changes, such as switching universities or degree programs within the same level, no notification is required.