Finland Study Visa: Requirements, Fees, Processing Time

Finland Study Visa – Finland has recently become the choice of thousands of international students looking for a country that can provide quality education and a high standard of living. 

Finland is part of the European Union. It is also one of the best countries to study in with all its beautiful landscapes. 

Finland has a large English-speaking population, too, which will help you get part-time jobs easily, and you can support yourself financially. 

Finland is also the happiest country in the world, showing the richness of its culture and the mindset of its people, allowing them to stay satisfied. 

All the students from Finland and other EU nations can enjoy many benefits along with free tuition fees. 

However, being a third nation citizen, you must pay tuition fees. The tuition fees in Finland are still considerably less. Apart from this, you will need a study visa.

In this blog, we will discuss the application process, the documents required, and all the other details regarding the Finland study visa. 

Who needs a Finland student/study Visa?

All the students applying for a course in Finland who are third-country nationals need a study visa for their stay. People are always confused regarding third-country nations. We have mentioned the list of all the nations which are not referred to as a third country. If you are not from the below-mentioned nations, then you are a third-country national in Finland. 

• The Schengen countries or EEA/EU nations.
• The US., Japan, Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City. Note that if any country has a visa agreement with Finland, then that country is also not considered a third-country nation.  

If you are not from the above-given nation, you will need a study visa to study in Finland. 

You have to understand the difference between a study visa and a residence permit for Finland. This definition and time duration varies from country to country. 

In Finland, if you are a third-country national and your study course will take less than 90 days, you will still need a study visa. The Finland study visa, in this case, will work as an entry permit for you. 

However, if your study course is longer than 90 days, you will need to also apply for a residence permit allowing you to stay in Finland until your studies are completed. 

Also, read: Europe study visa

Finland study visa requirements

The visa procedures are to be understood carefully. To get a study visa, you need to apply for a study visa by filling out an application form. 

There is a list of documents that you need to attach to the application form. All the documents in this list should be up-to-date and original. This list of supporting documents is given below. After discussing the supporting documents, we will discuss the application process. 

• A valid passport: The first thing you need while applying for a study visa is your passport. The important thing to check is whether your passport is valid or not. Your passport will be considered valid only if it was issued in the last ten years. Apart from this, it should not expire in the next three months. 
• Passport-size photo: You need two passport-size photos. The photos should be clear and recent ones and in 35x45mm dimensions. You can check the Schengen visa photo rules on their official website for specific information.
• Copy of your passport’s bio page: This is the most recent requirement update from the government of Finland. You must now attach a copy of your passport’s bio page to all visa applications. 
• Proof of admission: The study visa is for international students attending an educational course in Finland. Thus, you must provide proof of admission or a university acceptance letter. This should clearly state your details and the duration of the course. 
• Health Insurance: Health insurance is the next important thing you will need for a Finland study visa. The insurance should be valid and cover all your expenses in case of a medical emergency in Finland. It should at least be valid in the whole Schengen area. If you have international or global health insurance, then it is valid. 
• Financial proof: To be able to study in Finland, you will need to have a certain amount of money in your account, which you will use for accommodation, meals, and other miscellaneous expenses. If you have a short-term stay, you must show EUR 560 monthly in your bank account. If you have a year-long stay, you must have at least EUR 6,270 in your bank account at the time of application. If you are getting any scholarship that covers your expense, show proof of that scholarship. 
• Proof of paid tuition fees: If you need to pay any tuition fees for your course, you need to submit proof showing that you have paid the tuition fees. If you are to pay the fees after the application, you may need to show the amount of your tuition fees in your bank account. 
• Civil status document: Documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, adoption papers, etc.
• Academic transcripts: You must also show your academic transcript, which refers to all your previous degrees or achievements. 

This is the updated list of all the supporting documents you need for a study visa. Note that the visa office may ask for some other documents which they think are needful. 

Provide all the details and documents which are asked. Follow the format of the documents strictly, as mentioned. 

Also, read: English-speaking countries in Europe to study

Other requirements for study visa

Some of the other legal requirements to obtain a student visa in Finland are as follows:

• A university in Finland should accept you. For this, you must apply to multiple universities before applying for a visa.
• You must not have any criminal charges.
• You should be free of any travel bans from the Schengen Area.
• You must be a good citizen and not be a danger to Finland. 

How to apply for a Finland study visa?

Now that you have gathered all the information and supporting documents required for the study visa, it is time to get into the application process. The application process for the student visa in Finland is as follows:

• Fill out the application form online or at the Finnish embassy. To get the form visit the official website of the Finnish Embassy. Be careful while filling in all the details in the application form.  
• Pay the visa processing fees. 
• Wait for an answer. The embassy will contact you either via call or by text message. 

Processing Time for Finland study visa

The processing time for the Finland student visa may vary according to the application, but the usual processing time is 1-3 months. In rare cases, this time may extend if you are missing anything from your application or if the embassy contacts you for some other documents. 

Also, read: Malta study visa

Processing Fee for Finland study visa

The embassy will charge you an application fee to process your visa application. This processing fee differs based on the mode of application. If you are applying online, the fee is EUR 350; if you are applying in person by going to the embassy, the fee is EUR 450. 

Validity of Finland study visa

The Finland student visa is valid for two years. If, for some reason, your studies are taking longer than this, then you can extend this duration until your course is finished. If your course is less than two years, your visa will be considered valid until your studies are finished.

Working with a Finland study visa

You can work in Finland if your work is related to your field. However, if you work in a different field, you can work 25 hours a week per semester.

Staying in Finland after Graduation

This is the most asked question when it comes to Finland study visas. After you have completed your studies, you may want to continue your stay in Finland as a working professional or a researcher. This is possible in 3 ways:

• Work visa: If you get a job right after graduation, you can apply for a work visa and continue to stay in Finland as a working professional. 
• Job-seekers visa: If you have still not got a job after graduation, then to you can apply for a job-seekers visa to look for jobs. This is valid for one year. 
• Researcher visa: This unique visa allows you to stay in Finland if you undertake a research project or work in a research center. 

Conclusion

Finland is one of the most advanced countries regarding research and quality education. It has multiple recognized universities and research facilities which can give your career a headstart. 

A student visa is the most important thing you need to study in Finland. In this blog, we have discussed all the information regarding the Finland study visa. 

The entire visa process should be understood thoroughly and followed precisely. The visa process for the student visa can be tedious, but it is clearly defined and will provide you with a smooth stay in Finland.

I hope this blog has cleared all your queries about the Finland student visa, but if you still have any questions, please contact our experts. 

For more interesting and informative content like this, keep visiting CourseMentor™. All the best for your studies!

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