Finland's student residence permit for non-EU/EEA nationals pursuing degree-level studies. Since 2017, non-EU students pay tuition fees, but the country offers generous work rights (30 hours/week average) and an extended 2-year post-study job-seeking permit since 2022. Applied via the Enter Finland online service.
Non-EU/EEA in English-taught programs: EUR 4,000-18,000/yr depending on university and program. Since August 2017 tuition fees apply. Most universities offer tuition fee waivers (50-100%) for high-achieving non-EU students. Finnish and Swedish-taught programs remain free for all nationalities.
Average of 30 hours per week. Hours can vary week to week as long as the annual average stays at 30 hours. Full-time work allowed during holidays if the average is maintained. Work can be in any field, not limited to field of study.
| Program | Type | Duration | Min Degree | Work | PR Path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residence Permit to Look for Work | Job seeker | 24mo | Bachelors | Unrestricted | No |
| Test | Purpose | Language | Min Score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Admission | English | 6.0 | Most international programs taught in English. Score varies: 6.0-6.5 typical. TOEFL iBT 79-92, Cambridge C1 Advanced also accepted. Finnish/Swedish language programs have separate requirements. |
| YKI (Finnish National Certificate of Language Proficiency) | Admission | Finnish | Level 4 (B2) | Required for Finnish-taught programs. YKI Level 4 (intermediate) or completion of Finnish studies at B2 level. |
| Fee | Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residence Permit Application Fee (online) | Application | $694 | One time |
Apply online via Enter Finland. Biometric registration at Finnish embassy. Student residence permit is a B-type permit; after graduation and employment, can be upgraded to A-type (continuous). Since 2022, student permit is granted as continuous (A-type) for degree programs, which counts fully toward PR. Paper applications cost EUR 750 (EUR 150 more than online). Fees increased significantly in January 2026.
- Finland Startup Permit (startup)
Last verified: May 3, 2026. Source