Residence permit

When should I apply for a residence permit?

• Apply for a residence permit as soon as you have received the admission offer!
  • The processing times for the application can be several months, especially during the summer months when many students apply at the same time. 
  • The processing of your application is only initiated once you have physically visited the Finnish consulate/embassy in the country where you officially reside to identify yourself in person. Sometimes the only available time slots are far in the future. 
• Note! You can apply for residence permit already based on the admission offer (the offer can still be conditional), but remember to accept the admission offer as soon as possible to ease the processing of your application.
• If you are applying for a residence permit also for your family member(s), read more on the pages for students with family.

How do I apply for a residence permit?

1. Read the instructions on the Finnish Immigrations Services webpages if you are applying for your first residence permit based on studies. 
   • Students who have already studied in Finland should read the information on how to apply for an extended permit on the basis of studies.
      
2. Submit your application electronically to the Finnish Immigration Services through their portal EnterFinland Opens in new window .
   • This will allow you to follow up the status of your application and make the process smoother. 
   • Note! Apply for a Finnish Personal Identity Code simultaneously with your application! The code must be entered in Hanken's study register, you need it when dealing with authorities, phone operators, banks etc. in Finland! 
      
3. Make sure that you submit all required enclosures with your application so that your application will not be refused, lacks in the following requirements are the most common reasons for refusal of the application: 
   • Internationally accepted health insurance Opens in new window
   • Sufficient funds to cover your living costs and tuition fees in Finland.
     • You need at least 800 euros per month to live in Finland, i.e. pay for housing, food and other expenses. 
     • In addition you need to have the funds to pay the tuition fees at Hanken/display proof that you have received a scholarship which exempt you from tuition fees/part of the tuition fees. 
     • You need funds to live in Finland during the whole validity of your residence permit. 
   • Note: Due to pending Finnish legislation it is likely that the minimum income requirement for student residence permit will increase to 1050 euro per month from fall 2026 reflecting the actual cost of living in Finland.
      
4. Book an appointment to visit the consulate/embassy located closest to the country where you officially reside when you submit the application – note that you must bring all enclosures required for the application in original when visiting the embassy/consulate and that they need to be legalised.  
    
5. When the application has been processed, you will receive your residence permit card and you can book your trip to Finland.