Newly admitted exchange and degree students from China should be prepared for delays in processing of their residence permit applications. The closing of the Finnish consulate in Guangzhou and the introduction of new obligatory biometric residence permit card with fingerprints are slowing down the application process.

The University of Helsinki has contacted the Finnish Embassy and the Finnish Immigration Service MIGRI and expressed concern about possible late arrivals of Chinese students during autumn term 2012. Unfortunately, the University of Helsinki is not able to speed up the process on behalf of it’s students.

Appointment at the Finnish Consulate is necessary for submitting a residence permit application – please make an appointment as soon as possible and make sure you have all the required documents! We strongly recommend that you initiate your application through MIGRI E-services as this will speed up the process.

More information:

• Finnish Embassies in China
• Finnish Immigration Service MIGRI

The Embassy of Finland in Islamabad is closing by 1 August 2012. As a part of the gradual shutdown of the activities, entry issues will not be handled in the mission after 1 March 2012.

Entry permit applications can be submitted to other Finnish Embassies in the region, such as Embassy of Finland in New Delhi, where applicants have legal entry.

For more information please visit the website of the Finnish Embassy in Islamabad.

If you are a citizen of a so called third country, i.e. a country outside of the EU/EEA, you will need a residence permit for studies if your studies last for longer than three months.

You should apply for the residence permit as soon as possible, the processing time is usually longer during the summer months. Please note that you can initiate your residence permit application online, but you still need to visit the nearest Finnish embassy or consulate in person to submit the application.

You should also note that a health insurance is mandatory when applying for a residence permit for studies.

You can find more information on the residence permit and insurance as well as links to the Finnish Immigration Service on the New Students website. Please read the instructions and information provided by the Finnish Immigration Service carefully, a complete application helps the permit process on the way.

The Permits section on the New Students website.

The Insurance section on the New Students website.