Finland Student Visa Guide 2025: Requirements, Fees and How to Apply
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Students who want to study in Finland need to have a study permit or a student residence permit. If you course duration is less than 90 days. The duration of this residence permit will be for the full length of your course. Also, international students can do part-time work for 30 hours per week.
As mentioned by World Happiness Report 2025. Finland has been happiest country. It has become a popular study destination for international students. Because of it's unique education system, affordable study costs, high standard of living, and availability of great job opportunities.
A Finland student visa is required to study in Finland. This visa is also known as the Residence Visa of Finland. It is a legal document that allows international student to study in Finland. Indian students can pursue higher education of their choice. Ideally, if the duration of a course in Finland takes longer than 90 days, then a residence permit is required.
Student can work part time to cover the cost of living. In case the course study is less than 90 days, then a short-term visa is required. In this article, we are going to talk about how to apply for a Finland study visa, including eligibility, fees, and processing time.
- What is Finland Student Visa?
- Finland Student Visa Requirements
- Documents Required to Get a Finland Student Residence Permit
- How to Apply for a Finland Student Residence Permit?
- Finland Study Visa Cost
- Types of Finland Visas
- Part Time Work with a Residence Permit in Finland
What is Finland Student Visa?
Finnish residence Permit is usually given for the entire length of your studies. However, it cannot be valid for longer than your passport’s validity. To apply for this permit, you must:
- Be moving to Finland to study.
- Have been accepted by a Finnish educational institute.
Important: You cannot get a residence permit if your course is an online or distance learning program that doesn’t require you to live in Finland.
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If you want to come to Finland for postgraduate studies, you need to apply for a Residence Permit for Scientific Research.
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If you want to complete a higher education degree (like bachelor’s or master’s), you will receive a continuous residence permit.
Finland Student Visa Requirements
Students must meet the following requirements to get a residence permit to study in Finland.
| Eligibility Criteria | Requirement Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance from a Finnish School |
|
| Financial Support |
|
| Health Insurance | Must have private health insurance covering medical expenses during your stay in Finland. |
| Other Rules |
|
Documents Required to Get a Finland Student Residence Permit
In order to get a Finland student visa, one should have the following documents:
| Document | Description |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Letter | Official admission letter from a Finnish university or UAS. |
| Valid Passport | A passport valid for your study period, with blank pages. |
| Passport Photos | Recent biometric photos as per Finnish requirements. |
| Proof of Financial Means | Bank statement showing at least €800/month or scholarship proof. |
| Proof of Tuition Fee Payment | Receipt of paid tuition fees or scholarship confirmation. |
| Proof of Health Insurance | Insurance covering medical expenses in Finland (min. €120,000). |
| Educational Certificates | Previous degree certificates and transcripts (translated, if needed). |
| Completed Application Form | Residence permit application via the Enter Finland portal. |
| Appointment Confirmation | Proof of booked biometric appointment at embassy/consulate. |
| Accommodation Proof | Rental contract or university housing confirmation. |
| Other Supporting Documents | May include police clearance, travel tickets, or guardian consent (if under 18). |
How to Apply for a Finland Student Residence Permit?
- Students can apply for visa by online or offline method.
- Make sure, you are submitting application with correct information.
- Pay student visa fee and keep payment receipt safe.
- Attend verification appointment at Finland Embassy in India.
- After your verification, application will be processed. It may take some time.
- The expected processing time for electronic applications is 1-2 months.
Finland Study Visa Cost
Given below is the application fee to obtain a residence permit in Finland. Processing times for Finland student visas vary depending on the basis of the mode of application.
| Type |
Application Fee |
|---|---|
| Electronic application fee |
EUR 450 |
| Paper application fee |
EUR 550 |
Types of Finland Visas
Let us first understand the different types of Finland visas.
- Single Entry Visa: It allows the holder to enter Finland once and stay up to 90 days in any 180 days
- Double-Entry Visa: This visa allows entry into Finland twice and may be valid within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
- Multiple-entry Visa: This visa is granted for several consecutive visits to the Schengen area. The total duration of the stay may not exceed the number of days specified on the visa sticker, which is 90 days in a 180-day period. This visa is valid for a maximum of 5 years
Part Time Work with a Residence Permit in Finland
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
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Students with a residence permit for studies can work without limits. Only if work is part of practical training for their degree.
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Students can work up to 30 hours per week during their studies.
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Students can work more than 30 hours only. But yearly average must be no more than 30 hours per week.
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After studies, students can apply for a residence permit to look for work.
Students need to be very careful when it comes to their study abroad applications. For help with university applications, students seeking to study abroad can contact our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors. The comments section below allows candidates to contact us as well.
Yes! You can study in Finland without an IELTS score, but you need to submit results of other English proficiency tests such as TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo English Test. It depends on the university and programme you are applying to. It is suggested to check the university website to get the exact information.
According to unofficial sources Lappeenranta University of Technology Finland acceptance rate is around 15%. This signifies that the university is very selective while granting admissions. So students with an exceptional academic record have a better chance of getting admission. To study the ug programs of the university the applicants must have completed upper secondary class education. Whereas for admission to pg courses the applicants are required to have a relevant UG degree.
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
If you have all the required documents and fulfil the eligibility, then you can easily get a Finland student visa. The processing time for study visa of Finland is 1 month. It is advisable the start the application process just after getting your admission letter from the University of Finland.