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Study in Finland · Residence permit

Student residence permit for Finland: what you need

Got a study place in Finland? Here is what the Finnish Immigration Service asks for: how much money you need to show, the documents, and how much you can work while studying.

By Fovo · 5 min read · 28 October 2026

Key facts at a glance

  • Who needs it: students from outside the EU who come to study in Finland.
  • When: apply as soon as you have received and accepted a study place.
  • Money: at least €800 a month for living costs. For studies of a year or longer, you must have €9,600 in your bank account when you apply.
  • Also needed: health insurance, and a visit to a Finnish mission or VFS service point to prove your identity and give fingerprints.
  • Work: with a student permit you may work on average 30 hours a week, in any field.
01

The steps

  1. Get a study place in Finland and accept it.
  2. Fill in the residence permit application and pay the fee. You can pay in the Enter Finland online service, at a Finnish mission or at a Finnish Immigration Service service point.
  3. Visit a Finnish mission or a VFS service point abroad (or a Migri service point in Finland) to prove your identity and give your fingerprints.
  4. Wait for the decision. Migri publishes current processing times on its website.
02

How much money you need to show

  • You need at least €800 per month for accommodation, food and other living costs.
  • For studies that last one year or longer, you must have €9,600 in your bank account when you submit the application.
  • Attach a bank statement covering the past six months. It must show the account holder's name, the bank's name and the currency.
  • The money must be in your own account. Sponsorship agreements from relatives, friends or employers are not accepted.
Vocational schools: the tuition fee is charged after you accept your study place, and it must be paid before Migri can give a positive decision on your permit (for example at Samiedu). Plan the money for both the fee and living costs early.
If your tuition fee isn't paid yet, your bank account must cover both the first year's tuition fee and your living costs when you apply. Money for living costs can't be counted for the tuition fee.
03

When you need less

Your situationWhat Migri requires
Grant or scholarship for living costsIt counts toward the requirement. Example from Migri: a €2,000 grant lowers the one-year amount to €7,600.
Your school gives you free accommodationAt least €400 a month
Free accommodation and meals from your schoolAt least €270 a month
Tuition fee already paid, or a tuition scholarshipAttach proof, and show you also have money for living costs
04

Working while you study

Students with a residence permit may work on average 30 hours a week in any field. Some weeks can be longer, as long as the yearly average stays at 30 hours a week.

Looking for a part-time job? Fovo's free CV check shows what to fix for Finnish employers, and our Work Finnish packs teach the words you need in cleaning, restaurant, warehouse, care and office jobs.

Checklist before you apply

  • Study place received and accepted
  • Bank statement for the past six months, in your own name
  • Enough money: €800 a month (€9,600 for a year or longer), plus the first year's tuition fee if not yet paid
  • Health insurance
  • Appointment at a Finnish mission or VFS service point

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More help

Sources

This article is general information based on Migri's website as of 28 October 2026. It is not legal advice. The Finnish Immigration Service decides on residence permits, and rules, fees and amounts can change, so always check migri.fi before you apply. Fovo is not connected to the Finnish Immigration Service.