The school system in Finland is regarded as one of the greatest in the world. A higher degree is held by nearly half of the populace. And it’s not surprising given that it provides a wide range of academic programs and that both EU students and locals pay no tuition there.
Due to Finland’s equal opportunity principle, third-country nationals can benefit from the same rights as any student and the tuition is still quite reasonable for international students. However, if you’re a citizen of a third country, you’ll probably require a student visa for Finland in order to attend school there.
If a student’s study program lasts longer than 90 days, they must register as temporary residents in Finland and remain there until they complete their studies. Students can only study in Finland without a visa for a maximum of 90 days.
International students who require a visa can apply for a long-term student visa or a Schengen visa in order to study abroad.
The Schengen study visa should be applied for by students whose study program is just 90 days long.
Conditions for Eligibility.
You must also satisfy the following requirements to be eligible for a student visa:
1: You must enroll at a university in Finland, thus you must first apply for your study program before you can submit a visa application.
2: You cannot be barred from entering the Schengen Region.
3: You must not be facing any charges.
4: You must not pose a threat to Finland or its objectives.
Conditions/Requirements for Student Visas in Finland.
You must provide the following paperwork with your visa application:
1: Your passport must be current at the time of application. If your passport was issued within the last ten years and it won’t expire for another three months after you leave Finland, it is still valid.
2: Identity photograph. An up-to-date identity photo is required as part of the application. When taking the image, adhere to the Schengen visa photo guidelines.
3: A copy of the bio page of your passport. Finland now demands that anybody applying for a visa of any kind submit a copy of their passport’s bio page.
4: Evidence of enrollment. You must demonstrate that you were granted admission to a study program at a university in Finland.
5: Health protection. Additionally, you must present proof of foreign student health insurance that is valid throughout your time in Finland and covers all types of medical emergencies.
6: Adequate financial resources. Each month, you must have at least €560 in your personal bank account to pay living expenses while you are a student.
7: Evidence of tuition payment. If you haven’t paid your tuition yet, you must attach a certificate demonstrating that you do, and if not, you must show that you have the financial resources to do so.
8: Proof of academic excellence. If you are the recipient of a scholarship that pays your tuition, you must present a certificate demonstrating that the scholarship will provide financial support for you.
9: Civil status records. Documents like your birth certificate, marriage license, divorce decree, adoption papers, etc. are included in this.
10: Prior certificates of completion. For degree-seeking and exchange students, these are not necessary.
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How can I apply for a student visa for Finland?
How to apply for a Finland Student Visa is as follows:
1: Enroll in a university.
Before applying for a student visa and paying for a flight ticket, the first thing you should do is to apply to a university of your choice. Finding a university in Finland that fits your study program is the first step you should take as a prospective student there. Apply to the university as soon as you have a specific school in mind. You won’t get a student visa if you’re rejected. There must be documentation of enrolment.
2: Request a student visa.
You can submit an application for a student visa as soon as you receive your acceptance letter. You actually need a residence permit in this situation because you are attending school. Making a user account here is the first step in the permit application procedure. After creating an account, go to the e-service and choose the application for a “residence permit on the grounds of a study program.”
Complete the online application with the necessary information, then submit it. The relevant documents (listed above) must be scanned and attached to your application.
In the unlikely event that you are unable to complete an online application, you may visit your local embassy or consulate and submit a paper application there.
3: Visit a Finnish mission in your area.
You must visit the embassy to provide identification and your fingerprints after submitting your application via the e-service. Bring along every document you submitted through the online service. The application cost must also be paid at the consulate or embassy.
Similarly, if you apply in person, you will need to provide your fingerprints and pay the cost.
A sitting for an interview may also be required of you. Just your personality and the reasons you wish to study in Finland will be discussed during the interview.
4: Await a response.
You must be patient while waiting for a response after submitting your application. Applications from students are given high attention by the Finnish Immigration Office, who will complete the processing as quickly as feasible.
The length of time will vary, especially if there are any gaps in your application and the embassy contacts you to provide the information, but generally speaking, it takes 1 to 3 months to assess an application.
As soon as the Finnish Immigration Office approves your application, they will send your residency card to the embassy, where you can pick it up and fly to Finland.
5: Visit Finland.
You can leave for Finland as soon as your student visa application is complete. You can register with a local immigration office as soon as you arrive in Finland to have your temporary status as an international student registered.
After submitting your application, you must pay a second visit to the embassy or consulate in your area to provide the originals and copies of the required documents as well as to establish your identification.
Your fingerprints will be taken. Regardless of your country of origin, this is also a part of the registration process that will take place after you arrive in Finland. >>>>> APPLY NOW
How much does a student visa from Finland cost?
Whether you apply in person or through the e-service will affect how much the fee is.
€350 is the cost of the online application.
€450 is the cost of the paper application.
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How long is a student visa for Finland valid?
A student visa from Finland is good for two years. If the length of your study program is less than two years, the visa will only be good for the length of that program.
Can I Work While on a Student Visa for Finland?
If your employment is directly relevant to your degree, you are free to work with a student visa; but, if you work other jobs, you are only permitted to work 25 hours per week during your semester.
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