Finland Student Visa Policy

According to the latest United Nations report, Finland is ranked as the happiest country in the world due to having the lowest corruption rate, the most progressive society, reliable police and banking system in the world. If you are looking for a quality and highly applicable education, then Finland is a good choice to consider.

Finland student visa is a mandatory condition for international students to study at Universities and Colleges in Finland. Visa Finland is a removable card, valid for 1 year or 2 years.

Requirements to study in Finland

Note

• A special part of the admission requirements of the University of Finland that attracts the attention of many students is that you only need to pass the entrance exam held in Vietnam to have. You can assess your foreign language level without taking other English certificates such as IELTS, TOEFL.
• In addition to enrolling in the entrance exam, you can also choose to submit an alternative SAT score for the entrance exam. With a flexible enrollment method, Finland creates more opportunities for those who are dreaming of studying abroad in this "land of thousands of lakes".

If you are an international student who wants to study in Finland or participate in an exchange program lasting more than 3 months, you will need a Student Residence Permit – a type of visa. Long-term visa for international students studying in Finland. For students from non-EU/EEA countries, including Vietnam, you need this permit before you set foot in Finland. So my advice to you is that, when you receive an offer of admission from a Finnish College or University, you need to quickly prepare the necessary documents to apply for a Finnish student visa.

The cost of applying for a Finnish student visa is based on age

• Under 18 years old: about 240 EUR
• Over 18 years old: about 350 EUR

Finland student visa will be renewed annually, the procedure is similar to the first visa application. The renewal fee for each time is about 118 EUR/year.

How to get a Finnish student visa?

To get a Finland Student Visa (Residence Permit in Finland to study abroad), you need to quickly take the following steps as soon as you receive an offer of admission to a College or University in Finland.

1. Choosing a school to study in Finland

An offer letter from a school in Finland is a prerequisite for you to apply for a Finnish student visa. Therefore, you need to choose a school and submit your application with the required documents (degrees, transcripts, required certificates…). After submitting your application, you will receive the school's exam schedule to participate in the Finnish University exam in Vietnam.

University exams are usually held in April (September semester) and October (February semester). However, April is still the main exam with the participation of many Finnish universities. Students will take the exam entirely in English, and the subjects will depend on each major.

2. Verify which “category” you are in

Currently, citizens of countries of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EAA) can come to study in Finland without applying for a Visa; they just need to register with the local authorities about moving to Finland to live and study. In contrast, international students who want to study in Finland must apply for a Visa for a period of 1 to 4 years, depending on the case.

3. Apply for a Finnish Student Visa online

Currently, the Finnish Immigration and Police Service offers an online application service for a residence permit for foreign students. This e-service provides a new and more flexible way of filing. The applicant can fill out the form on the computer whenever it is convenient. The online form also provides instructions on how to apply. Applicants can also follow up on their application processing online without having to wait in line at a service point or wait for a phone call to be answered. After completing the online application process, you will schedule an appointment to submit your application in person.

4. Complete the application for a Finnish student visa

A complete set of applications for a Finnish student visa is considered complete when the following documents are met:

• Application for a residence permit (form OLE – OPI): All information must be complete, including your contact information and guardian's signature (for students under 18 years old). OLE – OPI declaration completed in English, Finnish, or Swedish.
• Original letter of offer from a Finnish educational institution: In the letter specifying the length of time you have studied at this institution. If your offer of admission is emailed, you must include that email in your Visa application.
• Original certificate of health insurance: Includes personal information of the insured, insured amount, term, insured geographical area... For study programs under 2 years, Compulsory insurance coverage can be up to 100,000 EUR. For programs of 2 years or more, the insurance level is about 30.000 EUR. The effective date of coverage must be on the latest expected date of arrival in Finland.
• Original proof of financial documents (passbook or monthly income statement): The original of the deposit with the student's personal account number at the bank or a scholarship certificate from an educational institution or other related institutions. The amount required is EUR 560/month of living expenses, which is approximately EUR 6,720 for a residence permit valid for 1 year and approximately 13.440 EUR for a residence permit valid for 2 years.
• A handwritten consent letter from both parents allowing you to study in Finland.
• Original letter of recommendation (for exchange program): This letter of recommendation will be taken from the school you are attending, used in applying for a study permit studying abroad under the study exchange program.
• Copies of all stamped passports.
• Some other papers such as OLEL - PK appendix.
• Original documents for comparison such as: passport (valid for at least one year from the date of arrival in Finland), academic records, diplomas, original certificates of previous study programs.

Note

• These documents need to be translated into English and notarized by the competent authority.
• When submitting your application, your fingerprints will be saved for future residence card issuance.

5. Interview at the Embassy

After submitting the complete application, you will go through an interview before receiving the Visa. The interview was conducted entirely in English. And Embassy staff will evaluate you through the following criteria:

• Have a plan, specific learning goals and high determination. Know about the school to attend, the program of study, the period of residence, tuition fees and other living expenses.
• Knowing information about yourself, family, finances,...
• Demonstrate academic ability through English language ability and study results.
• Show honesty through answers.

6. Get Finland student visa results

Applications are reviewed and results are issued within 15 days from the date of application. However, in some special cases or additional documents are required, the review time may be longer.

After obtaining a Finnish student visa, it is also a travel document that allows you to travel between 26 other countries in the Schengen area. This is really an ideal opportunity for you to experience, travel, exchange cultures, learn new things in many other countries.

In summary, StudyLink would like to re-emphasize some notes about Finland student visa:

Visa processing agency: The Finnish Immigration Service and Police in Helsinki will process and make a decision on the student visa application, then send it to the Embassy in Vietnam.

Visa validity is 1 year. After expiration, international students can apply for visa extension rights in Finland.

In case the Visa result is not as expected, you can apply for a second Visa after 90 days from the date of refusal.