Student residence in Finland
Non-EU/EEA citizens
All students who are not EU/EEA citizens must obtain a residence permit from the nearest Finnish embassy or consulate in their home country. It is also important to check if a visa is also required to enter the Schengen area. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs website offers a list of countries showing what travel documents are required and what agreement each country has with the Schengen member states. The residence permit and visa must be obtained before arrival in Finland . Students from non-EU/EEA countries are therefore advised to check what documents are required and apply for them in time.
According to the directive of the Ministery of the Interior, non-EU/EEA citizens, who will be coming to Finland for studies or student exchange, are required to have valid health insurance in order to obtain a residence permit .
Detailed information for students of non-EU/EEA countries can be found at the Finnish Immigration Service. Residence permit renewals are done at the local Police Station in Turku at Eerikinkatu 40-42.
US students, please also see instructions from the Embassy and Consulates General of Finland and follow the path: Services => Visas and Residence permits.
EU/EEA citizens
EU/EEA citizens must register their right to reside in Finland as a student if their stay lasts longer than three months. This can be obtained from the local Police Station at Eerikinkatu 40-42 within 3 months after arrived in Turku. Detailed information for students of EU/EEA countries can be found at the Finnish Immigration Service.
Citizens of the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland) are registered at the Register Office if they stay in Finland longer than six (6) months.
The general application procedures for a student residence permit or right to reside in Finland:
| EU/EEA citizens | Non-EU/EEA citizens | |
| Fee* | EUR 45 | EUR 60 (visa) / EUR 125 (student residence permit) |
|
When and where to apply |
- after arrival to Finland, at the local police station |
- in your home country at least 2 months before arrival to Finland |
| Application form | Right to reside in Finland application | Residence permit application |
| Enclosures | - Letter of acceptance from the university - Passport or other formal ID - Lease of Housing |
- Letter of acceptance from the university - Passport or other formal ID - Passport-sized photograph - Details of comprehensive health insurance cover - Proof of means of support |
* The fees shown here have been stipulated by the Directorate of Immigration as of 1 January 2010. For a complete list of fees and current updates, see the Finnish Immigration Service webpage for application fees.
Other links
- Detailed information on residence for student from the Finnish Immigration Service
- Links to the Finnish Embassies and Consulates are available on the web-site of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs
- Information on residence and immigration