Finland Student Visa: Requirements, Application Process, Fees and More 

Want to study in Finland? A Finnish student visa is what you need. Finland is among the happiest countries to study abroad. The country offers a C visa for short-term studies and a D visa for long-term studies for international students. Those getting a student visa are allowed to travel for education in top institutions. If you are interested in applying for a student visa in Finland, read this blog. We have covered everything from requirements, application process, fees, and more. Towards the end, you will also get to read articles about work visas and PR.

Types of Finland Student Visa for Indians

There are two types of student visas issued by Finland, i.e. Short-stay Visa and Long-stay Visa . These Finnish student visas vary as per the duration of your stay in the country. Only non-EU/EEA students are required to apply for a Finland student visa. Here is the duration specified for each student visa according to which you can select the right one for your chosen study program:

Finland Student Visa	Duration
Short Stay Visa (or the C visa/Schengen visa)	Less than 90 days within 180 days
Long Stay Visa (or the D visa)	More than 90 days in a year

If you aim to study a short-term course in Finland that can be completed within less than 3 months in duration, then you only have to apply for a short stay visa/C visa/Schengen visa. Likewise, if you’re planning to pursue a certificate diploma or any brief language course, apply only for the short-stay visa. 

But, if the duration of your course exceeds the period of 90 days, then you need to have applied for a Long-stay student visa before you start your educational journey in the country. Students who aim to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate courses in the country must have this type of visa to study in Finland.

Finland Study Visa Requirements

The study visa requirements vary depending on the visa you are applying for. However, in general, certain documents are common for a C visa and a D visa applicant. These documents are provided below.

S.No.	Document	Description
1	Letter of Acceptance	Official admission letter from a Finnish university or educational institution
2	Valid Passport	Passport issued within the last 10 years and valid at least 3 months beyond intended stay
3	Completed Application Form	Filled and signed residence permit application (online or paper)
4	Passport Photograph	Recent color photo meeting official photo guidelines
5	Proof of Financial Means	Documented evidence showing ability to cover living expenses
6	Health Insurance Certificate	Insurance policy covering medical costs throughout stay
7	Proof of Paid Tuition (if applicable)	Receipt or confirmation of tuition fee payment
8	Educational Documents	Previous academic transcripts and certificates
9	Personal Statement or Study Plan	Brief explanation of study goals and plans in Finland
10	Criminal Record Certificate	Document showing no criminal background (if applicable for your country)
11	Medical Certificate (if required)	Proof of good health and absence of contagious diseases (if requested)
12	Receipt of Application Fee Payment	Confirmation of visa or residence permit application fee payment

It is important to get a document checklist from the visa application centre to ensure that you do not miss a single document. Lack of sufficient documents is the main reason for visa rejection.

Finland Student Visa Application Process

The Finnish visa application can be submitted at the nearest visa application centre. The offical partner for visa application submission is VFS Global. You can submit a visa application to a centre. You can also get the application form from the visa office (or download it from the website). Before submitting a visa application, ensure that all documents are translated in English or Finnish. The visa application steps are provided below:

1. Download the visa application form online and fill out all the details, attach the documents and sign the application.
2. You need to submit your filled application at the nearest application centre whenever it’s open. Thereafter, gather the necessary documents.
3. Book a slot for a visa interview, and prepare for the same.
4. The next step is biometric data submission. You will have to provide your fingerprints as well as a digital photograph.
5. Attend the visa interview, and submit the visa fee (if you haven’t already)
6. Then, your application will be processed. You will be informed of the decision after the processing time.

To learn more about Finland student visa, watch this video:

Finland Student Visa Fees

The visa fee varies depending on the visa you are applying for. The Schnegen visa fees are standard across all Schenegen states. Students below the age of 12 only have to pay EUR 40. For those below the age of 6, the visa is free. The D visa fees are set by the Finnish government. No matter which visa you are applying for, visa fees are non-refundable.

Finland Student Visa Type	Processing Time
Finnish short-stay visa for short-term studies	EUR 90 for adults (above the age of 12)
Finnish long-stay visa for long-term studies	EUR 90 (for electronic application), EUR 120 (for paper application)

Finland Student Visa Processing Time

The Finland Student Visa processing time varies depending on the visa you are applying for. The general processing time for both visas is provided below. Do note that the visa application processing is not usually extended. It is extended only in rare circumstances when the embassy is required to further verify your application. Otherwise, it is extended if they request you to submit more documents and you take time to respond to the request.

Finland Student Visa Type	Processing Time
Finnish short-stay visa for short-term studies	15 working days  (extended for up to 45 days in rare cases)
Finnish long-stay visa for long-term studies	1-3 months

Finland Student Visa Acceptance Rate

Every year thousands of people from all around the world apply for Finland student Visas. Despite the high number of applications, it has a high acceptance rate and only 1.7% of Visas are declined by the authorities.

Finland Study Visa IELTS Requirements

The International English Language Testing System or IELTS is an established test for examining English proficiency. For every study abroad aspirant applying for Visa, it is important to have IELTS scores. For Finland Visa for Indians, students must score at least 6.0 or higher. TOEFL iBT score of 79 to 92 is also acceptable.

Finland Student Visa Interview Questions

You need to prepare well and dress well for the visa interview. The visa interview plays a vital role in acquiring the visa, and most of the students are denied visas after the interview. Here are some of the common Finland student visa interview questions:

• Are you married? If Yes, What does your Spouse do?
• Can you reschedule a shorter trip? Why do you need three/month Visa?
• Do you have a covered health insurance for this journey?
• Do you have any family member or friends in Finland?
• Do you have any friends in the university you are planning to study?
• Are you planning to pursue any other courses after your current course is finished?

Finland Student Visa Working Hours

International students are allowed to work 20-25 hours a week during the term time and are allowed to work full time during holidays. There are various part-time jobs available for international students in Finland. Students can earn between INR 785- 1130 per hour depending upon the sector.

Everything You Need to Know About a Finland Work Visa from India

What to Do If a Finnish Student Visa is Rejected?

A Finland student visa is rejected for several reasons. If your visa application is rejected, you have two options. The first is to understand the reason for the visa rejection and reapply. The reason for the visa rejection would be provided in the rejection letter. Read the rejection letter, understand the reason and rectify it. For example, if your application was rejected due to a lack of funds, ensure you have sufficient funds before reapplying. 

The other option is to appeal against the decision. The appeal has to be made right after the visa refusal. You must only appeal if the decision was unfair.

Can I Stay After I Graduate from a Finnish University?

Yes. You can stay in Finland after you complete your studies. You can apply for a residence permit to look for work or to start a business. This permit is valid for 2 years. During this time, you can hunt for jobs. However, you are not allowed to work. Once you get a job, you can apply for a work visa and stay back in the country.

Can I Get Permanent Residency via a Student Visa?

Direct PR is not given after you graduate. However, you can apply for a residence permit for studies or to start a business. This permit gives you enough time to look for work. Once you get a job, you can switch to a work visa. Thereafter, stay in the country for 5 years and apply for a long-term residence permit or PR. The Permanent residency in Finland comes with a lot of perks. For example, you can work, study, or stay in the country for an indefinite period.

Is it Easy to get PR in Finland for International Students in 2025?

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We hope that this blog has provided you with all the details regarding Finland Student Visa. Planning to study in Finland? Our Leverage Edu experts are here to help you find the right course and university as well as sort out the application process to ensure that you get successfully shortlisted! Sign up for a free session now!