Student Visa for Finland: Residence Permit, Money and Insurance
Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.
Finland does not issue a "student visa" in the usual sense. Degree students from outside the EU apply for a residence permit for studies from the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri). This guide covers the rules as they stood in October 2026. Fees change every January, so check Migri before you pay.
Who needs a permit
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need no permit. If you stay for more than three months, you register your right of residence with Migri, online in Enter Finland or at a service point, within three months of arrival.
- Nordic citizens register directly with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV).
- Everyone else needs a residence permit for studies. You must apply for the first permit before you travel to Finland.
You can apply once a Finnish university or university of applied sciences has admitted you. Degree students get a continuous (A) permit, normally for the length of the studies.
How to apply
- Accept your study place and, if your programme charges tuition, pay the first year or get the scholarship confirmed.
- Fill in the application in Enter Finland, Migri's online service, upload the documents and pay the fee.
- Visit a Finnish embassy or consulate to prove your identity and show the originals of your documents. Your application is not processed until you have made this visit, and you must make it within three months of applying online.
- Check Enter Finland for requests for more information.
- Wait for the decision. The biometric residence permit card is sent to the embassy or consulate where you applied.
The University of Helsinki warns that the whole process may take several months. Apply as soon as you have your admission letter.
If you need to travel before the card arrives, you can ask for a D visa together with the permit application. It lets you enter Finland once the permit is granted, without waiting for the card.
Documents
- valid passport and a passport photo
- the admission letter from your institution
- proof of money for living costs
- proof that tuition is paid or covered by a scholarship, if your programme charges a fee
- an insurance certificate
Money to show
Migri's minimum is €800 a month. For a year of study or longer, you need €9,600 in your bank account when you apply. Tuition, if you pay it, comes on top. The money must be in an account in your name or shown by an official grant certificate. Promises from a sponsor do not count. See how much it costs to study in Finland for real monthly budgets.
Health insurance
You need private health insurance that covers medical treatment and medicines. It must be valid when you arrive and for the whole permit, and ordinary travel insurance is not accepted.
| Length of studies | Minimum medical cover |
|---|---|
| Under two years | €120,000 |
| Two years or more | €40,000 |
The excess (deductible) may not be more than €300. Students staying two years or more can usually get a home municipality in Finland and then use public health care. Read more in health insurance for students in Europe.
The fee
Since 1 January 2026 the first residence permit for studies costs €600 online and €750 on paper. You pay when you submit the application, and Migri does not start processing until the fee is paid.
Working while you study
With a student permit you may work up to 30 hours a week on average during term, and full time in the holidays. More in working while studying in Europe.
After arrival
- You usually receive a Finnish personal identity code when the permit is granted. If not, apply for one at DVV.
- Visit a DVV service point to register as a resident and, if you study for two years or more, apply for a home municipality.
- Tell DVV your address. A notice of move is due no later than one week after moving in.
Extending the permit and staying on
Apply for an extension in Finland well before your permit expires. Migri checks your study progress, so attach a transcript of records. After graduation you can apply for a permit to look for work or start a business, valid for up to two years.
Where to look next
- How to get into a university in Finland
- How much it costs to study in Finland
- Document recognition for Finland
- Student housing in Finland
- Student visas in Europe: an overview
Official sources
- Study in Finland: Residence permits: Finnish National Agency for Education
- InfoFinland: Study in Finland: permit, money and insurance
- University of Helsinki: Residence permit for degree students
- Enter Finland: Migri's online application service
Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.