International Student´s permits Police Department of Central Finland

2 Residence permit for studies A foreign student other than EU-citizen must acquire a residence permit if his or her studies in Finland last for more than three months. Students from EU -countries have to register their right to stay in the country instead of applying for the residence permit.

3 EU citizen's right to reside in Finland as a student EU citizen's and citizen's of Liechtenstein and Switzerland must register their right to reside in Finland at a police department, if their stay lasts longer than for three months. Citizens of the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland) are registered at the Register Office.

4 Member states of the European Union In addition to Finland, the member states of the European Union include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kroatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

5 On what grounds may a residence permit be granted? A residence permit may be granted for study purposes at a post-comprehensive-school educational institution. Such institutions are mainly universities and vocational institutions. A residence permit can also be issued for studies at some other educational institution leading to a degree or vocational qualification.

6 On what grounds may a residence permit be granted? Residence permits are not generally issued for studies at folk high schools, Christian colleges or similar institutions where studies do not lead to a degree or vocational qualification. A residence permit can, however, be obtained with special justification. This could consist of, for instance, the need to supplement studies pursued in the applicant's home country, further studies connected with a vocational qualification or special training available in Finland.

7 Student's income The Finnish government does not usually fund the stay of foreign students in Finland. Hence the applicant must show that his or her income is secured either with a scholarship, a grant or other funds with which the student can support him- or herself during the academic year. Students must be able to prove that they have at their disposal at least 560 euros a month or 6720 euros for a year. If the educational institution offers free tuition, accommodation and meals, the required amount can be reduced.

8 Students’ Health Insurance Student will be responsible for his/her illness- related expenses in Finland. Student will need private insurance for his/her residence permit to cover medical and drug expenses Student must attach details of health insurance cover to application (policy) It is a precondition for obtaining a residence permit that the student has valid health insurance cover with a reliable and solvent company or institution.

9 Students’ Health Insurance The insurance must cover medical expenses in the amount of 100,000 euros if studies in Finland last less than two years The insurance must cover medical expenses in the amount of 30,000 euros if studies in Finland last two years or longer The insurance deductible must not exceed 300 euros

10 Students’ Health Insurance A student must have insurance cover when applying for a residence permit as without it a residence permit cannot be granted. Residence permit cannot be issued for a period exceeding the period of the insurance cover.

11 Are students allowed to work while studying? Students are permitted to do a limited amount of paid work under a residence permit issued for studies if the work in question is practical training included in the studies or final project work. Part-time employment is also possible, if the working time comes to an average of 25 hours per week at most. There are no limitations on working hours in full-time employment during holidays, specifically the summer and Christmas holidays. Earnings from part-time work during term-time may be included in the amount of disposable funds required for a residence permit at the discretion of the authorities. This is not, however, possible in the case of a first residence permit.

12 How long is a residence permit valid? The residence permit is usually granted for one year at a time, but it can be less than that, as well (insurance, incomes). An extension of the permit requires that the student is still registered at the educational institution, is a full- time student and has completed the required courses in the institution's study programme. If the student has poor study performance an extension of the residence permit may be denied. The application for an extension of the residence permit is submitted to the police.

13 How long is the right to reside in Finland valid? The registration of the right to reside in Finland is valid until further notice Students should inform the police when moving away permanently but if this is not done there will be no consequences Students who have not registered their right to reside in Finland are imposed a fine when caught

14 What happens after the studies are completed? After completing the studies, the student may remain in Finland if he or she can be granted a new residence permit on other grounds. The permit may be granted, for example for continuing studies within the same field or on the basis of family ties or employment. A foreigner who has received a degree in Finland can also get a residence permit for search for work. The permit can be granted as an extended permit for one (1) year.

15 Application forms Available at internet address: Residence permits: > residence permit > studying > quick links > application forms EU citizens: > licences > licences and permits for foreigners > EU > registering a right of residence > forms

16 FEES a residence permit for a student EUR 119 a registration of the right to stay EUR 50 –EU citizens

Things to remember Fill in the application before you come to our office. You need to submit the application 1 month before your current residence permit expires. You must have all the enclosures with you when you submit your application. Please make the appointment 1 month before you come to our office to submit the application. Do not book the flight ticket to travel to your home country until you have your new residence permit card in your hand. We do not send your new residence permit card to the Finnish embassy in your home country for you to pick up. If your residence permit card expires before you come back to Finland and you are not a citizen of a visa free country, you will have to get a visa in order to come back to Finland. Please do remember that you are not the only person submitting a residence permit application to our office. It may take several weeks to handle your application. 17

Contact information Address: Urhonkatu 2, 4 th floor,40100 Jyväskylä Open: Licence service (id-cards, driving licence) Mon, Wed, Fri – o´clock, Tue 9.00 – o´clock, Thurs o´clock Tel: To get advice, please call (open between 9-11 and o´clock) To make the appointment, please call (open between 9-12 o´clock) or make the appointment online ( 18

Contact information Open: Foreign licence service (eu-registration, residence permits) Mon, Fri 8.00 – o´clock Tue 9.00 – o´clock Thurs 9.00 – o´clock Wed (closed) Tel: To get advice please call (open between 9-11 o´clock) or send us an To make the appointment please call (open between 9-12 o´clock) or make the appointment online ( 19

20 For more information: