Current information about the processing of students’ residence permit applications
At the moment, there are 1,295 applications for a first residence permit for studies that are waiting for a decision. We process all applications for residence permits for studies as urgent without any separate requests. So far this year, 8,388 applications for a first residence permit for studies have been decided.
Most applications are processed within less than a month
Approximately 94 per cent of those who apply for a residence permit for studies get a decision within 30 days or less.
We aim to decide all pending applications as soon as possible. We will contact you if additional information is needed for your application.
Between 1 January and 5 August 2024, we have received 9,495 applications for a first residence permit for studies. The number is six per cent higher than during the same period in 2023.
You can follow the processing queue on our website. We update the information about the queue approximately once a week.
Limited availability of appointments for proving identity at some missions
Some Finnish missions still have a limited availability of appointments for proving identity and submitting applications. According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, these missions include the Finnish embassy in New Delhi and in Abu Dhabi. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs aims to clear the backlogs, so that students can start their studies as planned. For more information, see the Finland Abroad website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Students’ applications are currently given priority at these missions, so that students can prove their identity. Despite this, all students may not get their application processed on time, which can delay the start of their studies. As a result of the prioritisation, all students cannot come to Finland together with their families, as there may be delays in submitting and processing their family members’ applications.
Things to consider if you do not get a residence permit on time or cannot start your studies this autumn
- You have been granted a residence permit but cannot start your studies this autumn. Instead, your studies will begin in January.
- In this case, you do not need to notify us of your rescheduled start. You may arrive in Finland with your residence permit when your studies begin.
- Your residence permit is still being processed and you cannot start your studies this autumn.
- Send us a message in Enter Finland stating that the start of your studies will be postponed. You can send the message under ‘Send additional information’.
- You have been granted a residence permit but decide to postpone the start date of your studies.
- Send us a message to migri(at)migri.fi stating that you will start your studies on a later date.
- Mention the new start date in your message.
- Travel to Finland only when your studies will begin. If you are not studying, your residence permit may be withdrawn.
- You are in Finland with a residence permit for studies and have applied for an extended permit.
- You may continue your studies while you wait for a decision. If you applied for an extended permit before your previous residence permit expired, you may work, too.
Further information
- For updates on the processing queue, see the page Processing queue of students’ residence permit applications.
- For more information about the Finnish mission in Abu Dhabi, see the press release published by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland on 28 June 2024: Identification of student applicants will be temporarily prioritized from 1st July onwards at VFS Abu Dhabi - Finland abroad: United Arab Emirates
- For more information about the Finnish mission in New Delhi, see the press release published by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland on 20 June 2024: Identification of student applicants will be temporarily prioritized from 1st July onwards at VFS New Delhi - Finland abroad: India
