Visa Procedure

You have to apply before departure to Finland with a valid passport

You’ll need acceptance letter from the University or college in Finland to participate in entrance examinations of higher education Your application will be for a visa for the period of the examinations.

 

At the entrance port you are expected to show, in addition to your visa and a valid

travel document insurance documents for the duration of your stay and other documents related to your stay in Finland.

 

If you have come to Finland with a visa to take an entrance examination and passed it, you might have to return to your home country in order to apply for the residence permit. Only in exceptional circumstances, when you have been accepted at an educational institution and the studies begin soon after entrance examination, you may be granted the residence permit in Finland.

 

In general the permit to stay is granted for up to one year of study at a time but can be extended to up to two academic years at a time depending from the duration of the study. The permit then needs to be extended at the beginning of each academic year by the local police authorities.

To obtain a residence permit for study in Finland:

1) You must be at least 18 years old

2) You are intending to study at a university or other institution of higher education or in a secondary vocational institution;

3) You can produce proof that you have been accepted to study at such an institution (letter of acceptance);

4) Your application indicates the degree to which their studies lead, the language

of study and the estimated length of the studies;

5) Your application indicates a statement of your previous studies and language skills

6) You are required to demonstrate that you have a minimum of EUR 500 per month at your disposal. If the educational institution provides you with food and accommodation in addition to free tuition, the amount to be deposited can be reduced at the authorities’ discretion.

You should contact ECDC to find out
How to make your application, and what your document requirements will be. Generally, an international student is issued with a multiple entry visa for the duration of their study course in Finland. This allows you to travel backwards and forwards to Finland within the period for which it has been granted. Members of your immediate family (spouse and unmarried dependent children under 18 years of age) may accompany you to Finland and will be considered in the same visa class as yourself. If you wish to extend your stay in Finland for further study you will need to lodge an application for a further visa.