Info for international students

If you are moving to Finland in order to start you studies, there are some formalities to handle. On these pages we have collected information on the tasks you need to complete and in which order to do so depending on your background.

Which tasks do I need to complete in my home country?

Citizens of a country located outside of the EU/EEA or Switzerland

If you are a citizen of a country located outside of the EU/EEA area or Switzerland, you must apply for a residence permit from the Finnish Immigration Services as soon as possible after you have received your admission offer.
- NOTE! You do NOT need to wait e.g. until your admission offer is final, but you can already apply based on the offer of admission.
- It can take several months to receive your residence permit so apply immediately to ensure that you can arrive in Finland timely to attend the Orientation Days at the end of August.
  - Read more about how to apply for a residence permit.
You need an international health insurance for your residence permit application.
Book an appointment at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency for when you arrive in Finland so that you quickly can complete the registration as a foreign student in Finland.

Citizens of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland

EU citizens must complete their EU citizen's right of residence (EU registration) on site in Finland at the Finnish Immigration Services, but we recommend that you start the process already in your home country.
- Read more about the registration process.
Book an appointment at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency for when you arrive in Finland so that you quickly can complete the registration as a foreign student in Finland.

Citizens of another Nordic country

You do not need to complete any registration before your arrival in Finland.
Book an appointment at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency for when you arrive in Finland so that you quickly can complete the registration as a foreign student in Finland.
Read more about moving to Finland as a Nordic citizen on Norden.org and on the webpages for the Digital and Population Data Services Agency Opens in new window

Which tasks do I need to complete upon arrival in Finland?

Register as a foreign student and obtain a municipality of residence at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) in Finland.
Inform the Student Service in Helsinki/Office of Study Affairs in Vaasa and admissions@hanken.fi of your Finnish Personal Identity Code once you have obtained it so that all data concerning your study right transfers so that student discount in public transport, the study card, MyStudyinfo Opens in new window etc. works correctly.
Check out the practical tips for international students in Finland and find your way at Hanken.