Check if you need a residence permit
Are you citizen of an EU country or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland?
You do not need a residence permit.
Apply for the registration of your right of residence if you intend to study in Finland for longer than 90 days.
If you are a Nordic citizen and you intend to live in Finland for longer than six months, register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency within one week from moving to Finland.
Read more about how to register your right of residence (migri.fi).
Register with the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (dvv.fi)
Apply for a residence permit if you intend to study in Finland for longer than 90 days.
If you already have a residence permit for studies granted to you by another EU Member State, you can study in Finland if you submit a mobility notification. With a mobility notification, you can study in Finland for 360 days. If you wish to study in Finland for longer, you will need a residence permit. Read here how you can make a mobility notification (migri.fi).
If you intend to study in Finland for a maximum 90 days, check if you need a visa (um.fi).
Check that the residence permit for studies is the right residence permit for you
Have you been admitted to a study programme in Finland that leads to a degree or a vocational qualification, or are you coming to Finland for a student exchange?
Apply for a residence permit for studies.
If more than half of the duration of your degree studies will consist of apprenticeship training, apply for a residence permit for an employed person. If at the maximum half of the duration of your degree studies will consist of apprenticeship training, apply for a residence permit for studies.
If you have completed a master’s degree and come to Finland for postgraduate studies, you need to apply for a residence permit for a researcher.
Have you been admitted to further training that supplements your vocational skills or degree, or to special training?
Apply for a residence permit for studies.
A residence permit for studies can only be granted for studies that lead to a degree or a vocational qualification, and for student exchange. A residence permit for studies can also be granted for further training that supplements your vocational skills or degree, or for special training.
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