Finland Student Visa 2026: Money, Fees and Work Rights
A non-EU student going to Finland for a degree applies for a residence permit for studies, which is what most people mean by a Finnish student visa. Three things decide the application: a study place, proof of money and health insurance. The permit also carries a right to work that is counted as a yearly average, so full-time work in the holidays is possible. This guide sets out the rules from the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) and Study in Finland, the official guide of the Finnish National Agency for Education, as read on 13 October 2026.
Quick answer
You must have at least EUR 800 a month at your disposal, which means 9,600 euros in your bank account when you apply for a year of study, plus the tuition fee if you have not yet paid it. The online application fee is 600 €. You need private insurance covering medical and pharmaceutical expenses. With the permit you may work an average of 30 hours per week, a total of 1,560 hours per year. Tuition for non-EU students typically ranges from €9,000 to €20,000 per year.
Who can apply
You can apply if you have been accepted as a student at an educational institution in Finland: a university, a university of applied sciences, a general upper secondary school or a vocational institution. Your studies must lead to a degree or a vocational qualification, or you must be coming as an exchange student. Two limits apply:
- No permit is granted if your studies mainly consist of distance learning online and do not require you to stay in Finland.
- No permit for studies is granted to complete basic education.
The three requirements
1. Money
| Situation | What you must show |
|---|---|
| Studies of a year or more | 9,600 euros in your bank account when you submit the application, covering the first year |
| Studies of less than one year | 800 euros per month at your disposal |
| Tuition fee not yet paid | The money for the fee must also be in your account when you apply |
| Your institution supports your living costs | You do not necessarily need 800 euros per month; attach documentation of the support |
The proof Migri lists is a bank statement covering the past 6 months.
2. A study place
Attach the certificate of acceptance or attendance from your educational institution in Finland, and documentation of the paid tuition fee or of your scholarship.
3. Insurance
As a student you must personally cover the costs if you become ill in Finland, so you must take out private insurance that covers your medical and pharmaceutical expenses. It must be valid when you arrive. If you hold a Kela card, a European Health Insurance Card or a UK Global Health Insurance Card, you do not need other insurance.
Application fees
| First permit | Adult | Minor |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic application | 600 € | 400 € |
| Paper application | 750 € | 430 € |
Migri adds a note worth repeating: fill in the application yourself. You do not need to use consultancy services that charge a fee, because the Enter Finland service guides you through the whole form.
How to apply, step by step
- Accept your study place and apply for the permit as soon as possible.
- Fill in the application in Enter Finland and add your attachments, translated and legalised if necessary.
- Pay the fee online, or at the Finnish mission when you prove your identity.
- Prove your identity and give fingerprints at a Finnish mission or at a service point of its external service provider.
- Wait for the decision abroad. You can track progress in Enter Finland.
- Travel once you have the decision and your residence permit card.
A first permit is applied for abroad, and an extended permit only in Finland. You can also apply for a 100-day D visa at the same time, which lets you travel as soon as the permit is granted. Migri advises applying for it only if you can travel within 2 weeks of the decision, because you then collect your card in Finland.
Attachments
- A valid passport and a colour copy of its personal data page
- A passport photo no more than 6 months old
- The certificate of acceptance from your institution
- Documentation of sufficient financial resources
- A certificate of insurance
- Documentation of the paid tuition fee or of a scholarship
- If you are under 18: a birth certificate and your parent's or guardian's consent to the move
A permit or B permit
| A permit (continuous) | B permit (temporary) | |
|---|---|---|
| Granted for | A higher education degree | A degree other than a higher education degree, and exchange studies |
| Family members | Can be granted an A permit: one year at the most for the first, four years at the most for an extended permit | Can be granted a B permit |
| Study in another EU country | Some of your studies can be completed in another EU Member State | No right to study in another EU Member State |
Working while you study
- You may work in paid employment in any field for an average of 30 hours per week.
- The hours can be exceeded in some weeks, as long as the average is no more than 30 hours per week at the end of the year.
- That equals an average of 120 hours per month, or a total of 1,560 hours per year.
- During holidays you may work full-time, within the yearly average.
- Internships and diploma work required by your degree are outside the limit, if it was agreed in advance that you earn credits from them.
Work must not slow your studies. Study in Finland is blunt about the money side: finding employment during studies is challenging, especially without Finnish or Swedish, and you should not base your financial plan on a part-time job.
Tuition and living costs
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition for non-EU/EEA students, English-taught bachelor's and master's programmes | Typically €9,000 to €20,000 per year |
| Application fee for applicants from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland | €100 |
| Programmes taught in Finnish or Swedish | No tuition fee |
| Doctoral programmes | Tuition-free regardless of nationality |
| Living expenses recommended by Study in Finland | Approximately €900–€1,200 per month, depending on the location |
| Student union fee, universities | About €50–€70 per academic year |
| Student healthcare fee | Around €35 per term |
Note the gap between the two living-cost figures. Migri's EUR 800 is the legal minimum for the permit. Study in Finland recommends reserving more than that.
Staying after graduation
- With a job: once you have completed a degree in Finland and have an employment contract or a binding job offer, you can apply for a residence permit for a person with a degree completed in Finland.
- Without a job yet: you can apply for a permit to look for work or start a business. It is granted for no more than two years, and you can apply within five years after graduating, even if you moved abroad in between.
- Work on that permit: you can work in Finland without restrictions, regardless of the field you studied.
Frequently asked questions
How much bank balance is required for a Finland student visa?
9,600 euros in your bank account when you submit the application, which is EUR 800 per month for the first year, plus the tuition fee if you will pay it later.
How much does the Finland student residence permit cost?
600 € for an electronic application and 750 € for a paper application. For a minor the fees are 400 € and 430 €.
Can international students work in Finland?
Yes, in any field, for an average of 30 hours per week, which is a total of 1,560 hours per year. Full-time work in holidays is allowed within that average.
Is health insurance mandatory for students in Finland?
Yes. You need private insurance that covers medical and pharmaceutical expenses, unless you hold a Kela card, a European Health Insurance Card or a UK Global Health Insurance Card.
How much is tuition in Finland for international students?
Typically €9,000 to €20,000 per year for non-EU/EEA students in English-taught programmes. Programmes taught in Finnish or Swedish and doctoral programmes charge no tuition.
Can I stay in Finland after my studies?
Yes. You can apply for a permit to look for work or start a business, granted for no more than two years, within five years of graduating.
Can my family come with me?
Yes. Family members of a student with an A permit can be granted an A permit, for one year at the most the first time.
Official sources
- Finnish Immigration Service — Residence permit application for studies
- Finnish Immigration Service — Information bank: Studies
- Study in Finland (Finnish National Agency for Education) — Fees and cost of living
All figures verified against the official pages above on 13 October 2026. Tuition varies by university and programme, so check the exact fee with the institution. Information, not legal advice.