Student — Residence Permit for Studies (Opiskelijan oleskelulupa)

Finland•Europe

Open

Student — Residence Permit for Studies (Opiskelijan oleskelulupa)

Study PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–3 months

Estimated Cost

€400–€750 EUR

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

Granted for the entire duration of studies; extendable via extended permit application.

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Overview

Study permit for non-EU nationals pursuing degrees in Finland, renewable for the full duration, allowing up to 30 hours weekly work.

The Residence Permit for Studies is Finland's primary visa for non-EU/EEA nationals pursuing degree or vocational studies at accredited Finnish institutions. Issued by Migri, the permit authorizes residence for the full duration of studies, provided applicants meet financial requirements (EUR 9,600 liquid funds) and maintain private health insurance.

The permit is renewable as long as studies continue, and applications are processed within 1–3 months. The application fee is EUR 600 online or EUR 750 by paper; minors pay EUR 400 or EUR 430 respectively. Work authorization permits up to 30 hours per week on average in any field, or full-time during holidays if annual average is maintained.

This visa is ideal for international students accepted to Finnish universities or vocational colleges who can demonstrate financial stability and are willing to engage with Finland's education system long-term.

Cost Breakdown

Application fee (online)€600 EUR

Application fee (paper)€750 EUR

Application fee (online, minor)€400 EUR

Application fee (paper, minor)€430 EUR

Total€400–€750 EUR

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Post-Degree Job Seeker Permit (Työnhakuoleskelulupa tutkinnon perusteella)

Finland

Post-Degree Job Seeker Permit (Työnhakuoleskelulupa tutkinnon perusteella)

Validity2 years

Processing2–3 months

View Visa Details

Finland

Degree Completed in Finland Work Permit (Oleskelulupa Suomessa suoritetun tutkinnon perusteella)

Validity6-9 months

Processing1–2 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must have been accepted to study at a Finnish educational institution.

Studies must lead to a vocational qualification or a degree.

Must have sufficient financial resources for living in Finland (at least 800 EUR/month).

Must have private health insurance covering medical and pharmaceutical expenses.

Must have paid the tuition fee or have a scholarship confirmation.

Must have a valid passport.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

high_school or higher

Min. Income

9,600 EUR/yr

Min. Savings

9,600 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Passport photo (max 6 months old) or photo retrieval code

Colour copy of passport biographical page

Certificate of acceptance or attendance from Finnish educational institution

Bank statement covering past 6 months (showing EUR 9,600 available)

Private health insurance certificate

Documentation of paid tuition fee or scholarship confirmation

Form MP_1 (if already in Finland)

Earlier degree certificates (if applicable)

Birth certificate and parental/guardian consent (if under 18)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Work permitted up to 30 hours/week on average, or full-time during holidays if annual average maintained
Residence permit valid for entire duration of studies with extension options if studies continue
Processing typically completes within 1 month in most cases, with maximum 3 months
Reasonable financial requirement: EUR 9,600 in savings to demonstrate living cost coverage
Dependents permitted to join on accompanying family visas
PR pathway available via degree-completion visa upon successful graduation
Spouse permitted to work without restrictions while student is studying
Comprehensive health insurance requirement integrates students into Finnish social safety net

Worth Knowing

EUR 600–750 application fee (online or paper); minors pay EUR 400–430 respectively
Private health insurance covering medical and pharmaceutical expenses required
Must demonstrate EUR 9,600 in savings to prove ability to cover 12 months living expenses
Academic enrollment and progress must be maintained throughout permit validity to renew
Must hold formal acceptance from recognized Finnish educational institution before applying

Application Process

Verify qualification: Ensure you have been accepted to a Finnish educational institution and meet financial and insurance requirements

Gather documents: Collect acceptance certificate, bank statements, insurance certificate, tuition fee proof, and identity documents

Complete application: Fill out OLE_OPI form via Enter Finland online service (EUR 600) or paper application (EUR 750)

Pay fee: Pay application fee when submitting

Prove identity: Book appointment at nearest Finnish mission or service point for identity verification and fingerprinting

Await decision: Application processed as high-priority; receive notification by email or text

Application Forms

Go to application portal

OLE_OPI

Fill online

Verified Claims (11)

Last verified Jun 27, 2026

Application Steps

Verify eligibility: Ensure you have been accepted to a Finnish educational institution and meet fina…

migri.fi

Fee Breakdown

Application fee (online): 600 EUR; Application fee (paper): 750 EUR; Application fee (online, minor)…

migri.fi

Fees

EUR 600 (online) / EUR 750 (paper); EUR 400 / EUR 430 for minors

migri.fi

Forms

OLE_OPI

migri.fi

Official Info

https://migri.fi/en/studying-in-finland

migri.fi

Max Stay

Granted for the entire duration of studies; extendable via extended permit application.

migri.fi

Processing Estimates

{"minDays":30,"maxDays":90}

migri.fi

Processing Time

1 month in most cases, up to 3 months

migri.fi

Apply Now Official Information

Ready to see if the Student — Residence Permit for Studies (Opiskelijan oleskelulupa) is your visa path?

Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free trial.

Start Visa Discovery

Overview

Study permit for non-EU nationals pursuing degrees in Finland, renewable for the full duration, allowing up to 30 hours weekly work.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must have been accepted to study at a Finnish educational institution.

Studies must lead to a vocational qualification or a degree.

Must have sufficient financial resources for living in Finland (at least 800 EUR/month).

Must have private health insurance covering medical and pharmaceutical expenses.

Must have paid the tuition fee or have a scholarship confirmation.

Must have a valid passport.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

high_school or higher

Min. Income

9,600 EUR/yr

Min. Savings

9,600 EUR

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

Passport photo (max 6 months old) or photo retrieval code

Colour copy of passport biographical page

Certificate of acceptance or attendance from Finnish educational institution

Bank statement covering past 6 months (showing EUR 9,600 available)

Private health insurance certificate

Documentation of paid tuition fee or scholarship confirmation

Form MP_1 (if already in Finland)

Earlier degree certificates (if applicable)

Birth certificate and parental/guardian consent (if under 18)

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Work permitted up to 30 hours/week on average, or full-time during holidays if annual average maintained
Residence permit valid for entire duration of studies with extension options if studies continue
Processing typically completes within 1 month in most cases, with maximum 3 months
Reasonable financial requirement: EUR 9,600 in savings to demonstrate living cost coverage
Dependents permitted to join on accompanying family visas
PR pathway available via degree-completion visa upon successful graduation
Spouse permitted to work without restrictions while student is studying
Comprehensive health insurance requirement integrates students into Finnish social safety net

Worth Knowing

EUR 600–750 application fee (online or paper); minors pay EUR 400–430 respectively
Private health insurance covering medical and pharmaceutical expenses required
Must demonstrate EUR 9,600 in savings to prove ability to cover 12 months living expenses
Academic enrollment and progress must be maintained throughout permit validity to renew
Must hold formal acceptance from recognized Finnish educational institution before applying

Application Process