Visa and Residence Permit
All applicants of foreign citizenship are advised to contact the local Finnish diplomatic mission in his/her home country or country of residence for information about visas and residence permits for studying in Finland.
The Finnish Directorate of Immigration can be contacted through the following internet address: http://www.migri.fi
General information on procedures related to residence permits and visas can be found on:
http://www.migri.fi/netcomm/content.asp?article=1965&language=EN
http://formin.finland.fi/public/default.aspx?nodeid=35334&contentlan=2&culture=en-US
A citizen of an EU or EEA member country, a Nordic country, or a country, which has signed a vise exemption agreement does not need a visa to travel to Finland. However, for visits longer than three months a residence permit from the local Finnish police needs to be acquired after arrival. A student may need to demonstrate means to cover living expenses while studying in Finland, however a bank deposit is not required. (See http://formin.finland.fi)
Foreign applicants in need of visa should apply for a one-entry visa for taking an entrance examination at Arcada. Please make inquiries regarding visa application as soon as you decide to apply to Arcada, as it may be decisive that you make necessary arrangements. A visa to Finland for taking an entrance examination is difficult to acquire in several African and Asian countries, and the applicant should therefore make precise inquiries at the diplomatic mission regarding visa application already before submitting an application to Arcada.
The general rule of the Finnish Directorate of Immigration is, that an application of residence permit is to be submitted to the Finnish diplomatic mission in or closest to the applicant's home country. However, an applicant admitted as a student at a higher educational institution may under exceptional circumstances submit the application of residence permit in Finland to the local Finnish police (please contact the above mentioned authorities for further information).
Regarding applications of visa and residence permit please observe the following:
• Funding: An applicant for visa/student residence is required to show that his/her own funds or scholarships will cover living expenses in Finland. The applicant needs to demonstrate, usually by opening a personal bank account in a Finnish bank, the sum stipulated by the Directorate of Immigration (appr. 6 000 euros per academic year). This deposit will be at the student’s disposal while studying in Finland.
It is important to note that a student is required to demonstrate new funds in the beginning of each academic year for the renewal of his/her residence permit. The applicant is advised to make precise inquiries at the Finnish diplomatic mission regarding how he/she is to demonstrate the required funds for living costs. Arcada does not in any way assist in financial arrangements, such as the opening of a bank account in Finland.
• Insurance: Please see important information on insurance for student residence applicants here.
For more information: Turn to the Finnish diplomatic mission closest to you and the internet addresses given above.
