For the foreign students looking to study in Finland this year, the embassies of New Delhi, Kathmandu and Abu Dhabi are ready to prioritise residence permit applications for studies in June and July.
Over 2,645 Indian students are studying in Finland, with the Indian community growing to around 22,000 in recent years.
If you have taken admission in a university in Finland, you need to apply for a residence permit for studies. You can receive a residence permit for studies if you have been admitted to a higher education institution or other educational institution located in Finland and your studies lead to a degree or a vocational qualification.
You need a residence permit if you are coming to Finland for over 90 days. Usually, an application for a first residence permit must be submitted outside Finland. If you submit your application for a first residence permit in Finland, you may get a negative decision.
International students and foreign workers visiting Finland for the first time will need to apply for the first residence permit.
You need to apply for a residence permit for studies in the ‘Enter Finland online’ website. Thereafter, book an appointment for identification at the embassies or consulates after submitting your application.
Students will be given priority so that they can begin their studies on time in autumn 2025. Prioritizing students means that their family members may be unable to identify themselves while the main candidate is applying for a residence visa for study.
The embassies of New Delhi, Kathmandu and Abu Dhabi will prioritise residence applications for studies in June and July, as the number of applications of students and their family members has increased significantly in these embassies.
At the moment, approximately 75% of those applying for the first residence permit for studies receive a decision within 30 days. On 29 April 2025, there were approximately 1,247 applications for a first residence permit for studies that were waiting to be processed or being processed. To date, 2,099 applications for a first residence permit for studies have been decided since 1 January 2025. Embassies are currently processing applications by applicants who have proved their identity on 10 October 2024 or after this date.