- Post study options updated
updated PR and citizenship pathway figures for rules in force in 2026 (https://migri.fi/en/amendments-to-aliens-act-regarding-permanent-residence-permits-2026).
Tuition
$0k–22k
per year
Work during study
30 hrs/week
vacations: Unlimited
Post-study work
24 months
Proof of funds
$11,106
per year
Path to staying
- Post-study workup to 24 months
- Permanent residencypossible
- Citizenshipafter 8 years
Overview
- Country
- Finland
- Visa name
- Residence Permit for Studies
- Local name
- Oleskelulupa opiskelua varten
- Status
- Active
- Renewable
- Yes
Finland's residence permit for students in qualifying degree, vocational-qualification and exchange programmes. A permit may cover the whole study period; higher-education degree students may receive a continuous (A) permit while other students may receive a temporary (B) permit. Applications for first permits are made from abroad through Enter Finland or on paper.
Tuition and costs
- Tuition policy
- Mixed
- Free condition
- EU/EEA and Swiss students generally do not pay tuition. Doctoral programmes are tuition-free regardless of nationality. Finnish- and Swedish-taught degree programmes do not charge tuition; exemptions based on residence status may also apply. Check programme-specific rules.
- Tuition range
- $0 – $22,452/year
- Proof of funds
- $11,106/year
- Funds type
- Bank statement
- Scholarships
- Available
Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland generally pay tuition for English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes, typically EUR 9,000-20,000 per year, with some programmes outside that range. EU/EEA and Swiss students generally do not pay tuition; doctoral programmes are tuition-free regardless of nationality. Finnish- and Swedish-taught degree programmes do not charge tuition. Scholarships may be available; confirm eligibility and exact fees with the institution and programme.
Work rights during study
- Work allowed
- Yes
- Term hours
- 30 hrs/week
- Vacation hours
- Unlimited
- Permission
- Automatic
- Freelance
- Allowed
Paid employment in any field is allowed up to an average of 30 hours per week (1,560 hours per year). Weekly hours can vary, including full-time work during holidays, provided the annual average is not exceeded. Required internships and diploma work agreed in advance as part of the degree are outside this limit. The rule describes paid employment; self-employment/freelance permission was not established from the sources checked.
Post-study work options
| Program | Type | Duration | Min degree | Work | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residence Permit to Look for Work | Job seeker | 24 mo | Certificate | Unrestricted | No |
Fees and costs
| Fee | Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residence Permit Application Fee (online) | Application | $694 | One time |
Dependents and family
- Dependents
- Allowed
- Restriction
- Spouse/partner and children. Must show sufficient funds for the family.
- Spouse work
- Unrestricted
- Conditions
- Spouse with family member residence permit has unrestricted work access.
Long-term pathway
- Post-study visa
- Available
- Work permit
- Possible
- Permanent residency
- Possible
- Citizenship
- After 8 years
- Study time counts
- 100% credit
How to apply
- Method
- Online
- Interview
- Not required
- Official site
- migri.fi
- Health insurance
- Required (buy separately)
Notes and caveats
For higher-education degree studies, the permit may be continuous (A); other study grounds may result in a temporary (B) permit. A-permit time counts toward permanent-residence residence periods, subject to the other requirements. Since 8 January 2026, permanent residence generally requires six years plus work history and Finnish/Swedish skills, with alternative paths; a qualifying Finnish degree route may have no minimum residence period but has its own requirements. Citizenship generally requires eight years of legal residence, or five years for applicants meeting the language requirement; half of B-permit residence before an A permit may count. The first-permit fee is EUR 600 online or EUR 750 on paper in 2026. Admission language tests and thresholds vary by programme; there is no single national test or score for this permit.
Also in Finland
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 9, 2026 Source