Finland Student Visa Application Process

Finland Student Visa Application Process

Finland student visa is a type of visa that allows you to study in many educational programs such as undergraduate, graduate and doctorate in Finland, and to stay in Finland and work for a certain number of hours during this period.

Students who want to study in Finland must apply for a Finland student visa for studies shorter than 90 days or longer than 90 days. The Finland student visa is valid for two years, for shorter studies it is valid for the duration of the education and if necessary, the Finland student visa can be extended until the completion of the education period.

How to Get a Finland Student Visa?

The education and training programs that can be attended in Finland to obtain a Finland student visa are listed below.

• Undergraduate education
• Postgraduate education
• Doctoral education
• Language school

Finland Erasmus / Exchange Program Visa

The Finland Erasmus or exchange program visa is an educational visa that allows university students to study in relation to the relevant program. While a C type visa allows up to 90 days of education in Finland, for education longer than 90 days, a residence permit application can be made and education can be received for up to 1 year.

Students who are citizens of EU countries and students who are citizens of non-EU countries such as the Republic of North Macedonia, Serbia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Turkey can study in Finland with a Finnish Erasmus Visa .

What is a Work Permit with a Finland Student Visa?

A work permit with a Finnish student visa allows students studying in Finland to work a maximum of 25 hours per week during their studies and full-time during holidays. Students with a Finnish student visa can work in jobs related to the program they study without any restrictions. Candidates who want to stay in Finland to work after the end of their studies can apply for a residence permit to find a job.

Students studying in Finland must apply for a Finnish residence permit in order to participate in educational programs lasting longer than three months in Finland and to work during their education. Postgraduate students who will conduct scientific research in Finland must also have a Finnish residence permit in order to work while completing their master's degree in Finland.

Is It Difficult to Get a Finland Student Visa?

Obtaining a Finland student visa is not difficult as long as the Finland student visa application process is completed correctly and the required documents are submitted completely.

What are the Required Documents for a Finland Student Visa?

The documents required for a Finland student visa are listed below.

• Finland student visa application form filled and signed (For minor students, it must be signed by the parent or legal guardian.)
• Document proving that the student has been accepted to a higher education institution in Finland.
• Financial means to prove that the student can support himself/herself financially during the education period (A minimum of €560 per month and a minimum of €6,720 per year are required. A bank statement for the last three months, a pay slip for the last three months or an SSI service statement can be used to prove financial means.)
• Passport or other travel documents valid for at least 6 months beyond the education period in Finland and copies of all pages with identification information, stamps and signatures.
• Copy of ID
• A copy of the population registration certificate
• Proof of accommodation in Finland (Hotel reservation, rental agreement or, if the student will be staying with a relative, a consent letter from the Finnish landlord must be attached.)
• 2 passport size photographs
• Additional documents required for a Finland student visa: Official translations if not in English, Finnish or Swedish
• International student health insurance document (The value of the health insurance policy must be at least €30,000.)
• Contract provided by service providers if education is to be received in Finland within the scope of cultural and sporting events or research programs

How Much Are Finland Student Visa Application Fees?

The application fee for a Finland student visa application electronically is €350, while the application fee for a personal application at a Finnish Consulate is €450.

How to Apply for a Finland Student Visa?

The steps required to obtain a Finland student visa are listed below.

• A student who will apply for a Finland student visa must first receive an invitation from an educational institution providing education in Finland.
• You can apply for a Finland student visa by going to the Finnish Embassy or the Finnish Consulate, or you can apply for a Finland student visa online through the official website of the Finnish Immigration Office.
• After applying for a Finland student visa, the applicant must go to the Finnish Embassy or Consulate to present the originals and copies of the documents requested during the application process and to prove the identity of the Finland student visa applicant.
• Biometric information such as fingerprints must be provided at the Finnish Embassy or Consulate.
• Finland visa application is finalized after the document is submitted.
• The decision on the Finland student visa application will be notified to the student via e-mail.

How Many Days Does It Take to Get a Finland Student Visa?

Finland student visa procedures and application process take approximately 1 to 3 months.

When you apply for a Finland student visa in person at the Finnish Embassy, ​​it takes 3 months, while when you apply for a Finland student visa online at the Finnish Immigration Office, the Finland student visa application decision is finalized within 2-3 months.

What are the Reasons for Finland Student Visa Application Rejection?

Reasons for rejection of a Finland student visa application are listed below.

• Insufficient financial means
• Failure to apply in accordance with the application procedure
• Applying to a non-accredited educational institution
• Lack of necessary and sufficient documents in the application file
• Detection of suspicious situations regarding the applicant
• Applying for the wrong visa category
• False document declaration
• Making false statements
• The intention to return to the country of citizenship is not convincing.

In order to prevent the rejection of the Finland student visa application, the financial means must be supported by supporting documents such as bank accounts and salary slips. The Finland student visa application steps must be completed completely and all requested documents must be submitted completely. The Finland student visa application form must be filled out honestly and false declarations of documents must be avoided.

Can Those Who Reject Their Finland Student Visa Applications Appeal?

There is an appeal option for those who receive a rejection for a Finland student visa. An appeal can be made to the Administrative Court by submitting the necessary documents for a Finland student visa that is not considered sufficient but is found insufficient.

Which Countries Can I Visit With a Finland Student Visa?

The countries that can be visited with a Finland student visa are listed below.

• Germany
• Austria
• Belgium
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• France
• Holland
• Spain
• Swedish
• Italy
• Hungary
• Latvia
• Lithuanian
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Greece

What are the advantages of being a student in Finland?

The advantages of being a student in Finland are listed below.

• Finland's natural wealth : Due to its geographical location, Finland has a beautiful climate with different seasons, summer and winter. Finland is home to many fascinating sights, such as the northern lights.
• Active international communities : With a small population, Finland welcomes international students and provides a support network for international students through communities.
• Deep-rooted local culture : Finland has warm and tolerant people; It is home to many cafes, cultural centers, flea markets, art galleries. Finland has a dynamic music culture, from classical opera to rock culture.
• High standard education : With its teaching staff consisting of respected researchers , the Education System in Finland provides high standard education. Finland has been in the top five many times with PISA scores and has the most preferred universities.
• Safety : The capital of Finland has been ranked as the second safest city in the world. Crime rates are very low in Finland, and the only threat to public safety is wildlife. It is possible to see moose and bears on the highway in Finland.
• English language level : The Finnish people have a high level of education and are fluent in English, ranking among the top five in the world in terms of English language proficiency. There are very good English courses in Finland to improve your English.
• Modern research universities : Finland is home to internationally renowned universities that conduct significant research.
• Ideal geographical location : Finland has easy access to many countries by train, ferry and plane.

How Much Are Student Expenses in Finland?

Student expenses in Finland include food expenses of approximately €400 per month, accommodation expenses consisting of a one-bedroom rental apartment of approximately €650 per month, and a transportation fee of €54 per month provided by a monthly public transport card.

Term tuition fees for university students in Finland are also included in the Finnish living expenses. Although prices vary among universities in Finland, annual tuition fees at Finnish universities range from 6,000 to 18,000 €.

What are the Accommodation Options and Costs for University Students in Finland?

Accommodation options and costs for university students in Finland are listed below.

• A one-bedroom monthly rental apartment in the centre is worth €723.
• A one-bedroom monthly rental apartment in the suburbs is worth €570.
• The rental cost per person for a three-bedroom apartment in the centre is €410.
• The cost of rent per person for a three-bedroom apartment in the suburbs is €310.
• Accommodation in halls of residence provided by student housing providers costs an average of €270 per month.

During education in Finland, choosing dormitories is more affordable in terms of price. If you are going to stay in a rental house during your education in Finland, choosing an apartment in the suburbs instead of the center and staying with roommates provides an advantage in terms of price. Finland Houses, which are quite small, cause a price difference depending on the distance from the city center.