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Finland Student Visa Guide

Residence permit for studies

Apply online through Enter Finland after admission. Show €800 a month (€9,600 for a year) and pay the €600 online fee (from 1 January 2026). Students can work 30 hours a week on average.

Last checked against the official source on 2026-09-30.

Application fee
€600 online
Processing
Varies; apply as soon as you have your admission letter
Validity
Usually granted for the length of your studies
Work rights
An average of 30 hours a week in any field. After graduating, you can apply for a residence permit to look for work or start a business.

Finland student visa costs

CostAmountNotes
Application fee (online)€600About ₹66,000; €750 on paper
Funds to show€800 a month€9,600 for a year, about ₹10.6 lakh
TuitionSet by your institutionMost non-EU degree students pay fees

Document checklist

  • ✓Letter of admission from a Finnish institution
  • ✓Proof of funds€800 a month; €9,600 in your account for a one-year programme.
  • ✓Proof of tuition-fee payment or scholarshipIf your programme charges fees.
  • ✓Health insurance
  • ✓Valid passport

Step-by-step process

  1. 1

    Get admitted

    Receive your admission letter and pay any required tuition.

  2. 2

    Apply online

    Apply through Enter Finland and pay the €600 online fee.

  3. 3

    Prove your identity

    Visit a Finnish mission or VFS centre to verify identity.

  4. 4

    Arrive and register

    Register your address and get your residence permit card.

Interview tips

  • There is usually no interview; make sure your funds are clearly in your own account.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Showing less than €9,600 for a one-year programme.
  • Applying on paper and paying the higher €750 fee.
  • Working more than 30 hours a week on average over the year.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need for a Finland student permit?

€800 a month; for a one-year programme, €9,600 in your account when you apply.

What is the Finland student permit fee?

€600 online from 1 January 2026, or €750 on paper.

How many hours can I work in Finland as a student?

An average of 30 hours a week, calculated over the year.

📅 When do you need this visa by?

The checklist above is the same for everyone. Your timeline isn’t — a Finland decision takes varies; apply as soon as you have your admission letter, so the date you have to file by depends entirely on your intake. Tell us the intake and we’ll work backwards, and flag any step that has already passed.

Planning guidance only — not legal or immigration advice, and not a visa guarantee.

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Official source: https://migri.fi/en/studying-in-finland. General guidance only — verify current requirements before applying.