The Finnish Immigration Service plans to cancel most residence permits issued to foreign students. Read more about the reasons for this decision, who may lose their permit, and the procedure for obtaining a student residence permit.

Legal advice on education abroad

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Finland is reviewing student residence permits for compliance with the requirements. As of the end of September 2024, 264 student permits had already been revoked, and 216 cases were pending.

How many residence permits for students in Finland have been reviewed?

In September 2023, an automatic review of student residence permits was introduced. Over the past 12 months, 5,795 residence permits were reviewed, and the analysis revealed that some students no longer meet the necessary conditions.

Why is Finland reviewing student residence permits?

According to current Finnish regulations, permits issued for a period of more than six months are subject to periodic review. The first review takes place three months after the permit is issued, and then annually.

You can get advice on education abroad on the Visit World portal. Our lawyers can answer all your questions about the current rules for admission to certain educational institutions, as well as help with the preparation of documents for admission and study abroad. To order a specialist consultation, follow this link.

Why study in Finland?

Finland is known to have one of the best education systems in the world. Almost half of its population has completed higher education, as the country offers a variety of study programs.

Tuition fees are very affordable for international students, and third-country nationals can enjoy the same rights as any other student, thanks to Finland’s equal opportunities policy. However, in order to study in Finland, you will need a student visa and a corresponding residence permit.

Who is eligible for a student visa to Finland?

To be eligible for a student visa, foreigners must meet these criteria:

- Be enrolled at a Finnish university, which means that you must apply for a study program before you apply for a visa.

- You must not have any entry bans to the Schengen area.

- You must not have any criminal convictions.

- You must not pose a danger to Finland and its interests.

What documents are required for a student visa to Finland

- A valid passport – its validity expires at least three months after your departure from Finland.

- A photo.

- A copy of the biography page of your passport.

- Confirmation of registration – You need to provide proof that you have been accepted to a study program at a Finnish university.

- Health insurance.

- Sufficient funds – You must have at least 560 euros in your personal bank account per month to cover your daily expenses during your studies.

- Confirmation of tuition fees paid.

- Scholarship certificates.

- Civil status documents – birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce certificate, adoption documents, etc.

- Previous diplomas.

What to do after receiving a visa?

After your application has been processed, you will receive a response regarding your visa.

When your student visa application is ready, you can travel to Finland. Once you arrive in Finland, you can register at the local immigration office to register your temporary status as a foreign student.

How long is a student visa to Finland valid for?

A Finnish student visa is valid for two years. If your study programme is less than two years long, the visa will only be valid for the duration of your study programme. If your study programme is longer, you can extend your student permit until the end of your studies.

Can I stay in Finland after my studies?

If you manage to find a job in Finland, you can change your student visa to a work visa or a researcher visa, depending on what interests you. A work visa is usually valid for one year, but it can be extended if you have a job.

Can I get permanent residence on a student visa?

After graduation, a student visa is no longer valid. To get permanent residence, you must have been a regular resident of Finland for about 5 years.

If you want to apply for permanent residence, you must have a job, internship, research project, etc. ready after graduation so that you can change your student visa to a work visa. With a work visa, you can apply for a permanent residence permit after 5 years in Finland.

How long does it take to obtain a student residence permit?

In September 2024, the average time for issuing a first residence permit for students was reduced to eight days (compared to 36 days in 2023).

Extensions of student permits now take an average of around 20 days, a significant improvement from 63 days in the previous period.

Is Finland interested in attracting international students?

Despite stricter monitoring of student permits, Finland is interested in attracting qualified foreign talent. In particular, the Government is considering granting permanent residence to people who have completed a master's degree in Finland and passed a Finnish or Swedish language test. However, a final decision on this proposal has not yet been made.

Finland is a promising country for international students, especially considering that the state is currently trying to balance stricter migration controls with initiatives to retain qualified specialists.

Let's remind you! Finland is a country of a thousand lakes that attracts potential migrants. Expats come here because the state has a stable economy, developed medicine, a well-built education system, incredible nature and high levels of happiness for the population. We have already told you what is needed to obtain a residence permit in Finland and what the procedure is for obtaining citizenship in 2024.

Igor Usyk - Head of Migration department at VisitWorld

To ensure a safe move to a new country, I advise you to consult a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with a legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations during migration.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents for Finland;

Legal advice on immigration to Finland;

Travel insurance for foreigners in Finland;

Medical insurance all over the world.