Finnish Student Visa Process

Depending upon the nationality, the process for the student visa and residence permit application for Finland may be different.

Student Visa For Students from Nordic Countries including Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Students from Nordic Countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland) including Switzerland and Liechtenstein do not need to obtain visa and residence permit do study, work, and live in Finland. Student from these country have no restrictions regarding documents and other visa related issues.

Student Visa For Students from European EU/EEA Countries
Students from member nations of European Union EU or European Economic Area EEA do not need student visa or residence permit before arriving in Finland. They'll not need to obtain a student visa if they intend to stay upto 90 days in Finland. But if their study duration in Finnish Educational Institutions lasts longer than 90 days, then they must register their right to stay in Finland at a local police department.

The following are the conditions the EU/EEA students must meet to obtain right to stay and study in Finland for more than 90 days:

Student must show that they need to stay in Finland for the study purpose in Finnish educational institutions.
They must show sufficient funds to support their studies and living costs in Finland.
They must show that they have valid health insurance covering all the health risks during their stay in Finland.

Documents Required to Submit to Local Police Department for permission to reside in Finland

A completely filled application form along with a photograph attached with it.
A certificate or letter of acceptance showing that the student is enrolled for the full time study in Finnish educational institute including information related to study program and the duration of the program.
Accommodation documentation including information regarding the place where they are going to stay during their studies.
Health Insurance certificate covering all the health risks that is valid till the student's education duration in Finland.
Financial support documents (It may be a certificate from a bank confirming that student have enough fund to support their stay in Finland or the necessary documents that show that students have received a scholarship, study grant or any other type of financial aid to study in Finnish educational institution or the documents from financer if the student is going to be financed by the local Finnish resident).

Student Visa For Students from Other Countries
Students from countries other than Nordic and EU/EEA must compulsorily obtain a visa prior to entering into Finland. If student have been accepted as an full time student and wishes to stay for more than 90 days in Finland for study purpose, then foreign student from these countries need to apply and obtain residence permit from the Finnish diplomatic mission in their home country before entering Finland. If international students are requested to take an entrance examination before being admitted as foreign student in Finnish educational institutions, then they need to apply for a visa for the period of the entrance examination.

Documents Required to Submit in Finnish Diplomatic Mission to obtain Finnish Visa and Residence Permit

A completely filled application form along with a photograph attached with it.
A certificate or letter of acceptance showing that the student is enrolled for the full time study in Finnish educational institution including information related to study program and the duration of the program.
Accommodation documentation including information regarding the place where they are going to stay during their studies.
Health Insurance certificate covering all the health risks that is valid till the student's students complete in Finland.
Financial support documents (It may be a certificate from a bank confirming that student have enough fund to support their stay in Finland or the necessary documents that show that student have received a scholarships, study grants or any other type of financial aid to study in Finnish educational institution or the documents from financer if the student is going to be financed by the local Finnish resident).

See Also..............................................................................................
Admission | Financial Aids | Universities List | Living Cost