Information about the processing of students’ residence permit applications

At the moment, there are 3,185 applications for a first residence permit for studies that are waiting for a decision. We will process all applications for a residence permit for studies as urgent without any separate requests. So far in 2025, we have decided 7,724 applications for a first residence permit for studies.

Between 1 January and 19 August 2025, we have received 10,409 applications for a first residence permit for studies. The number is 2.64% higher than during the same period in 2024.

Most applications are processed within less than a month

In cases where the decision on a first permit is positive, 82% of the applications are decided within 30 days or less.

If you do not get a decision on your application within 30 days, the estimated processing time for your application is 90 days. Please note that our customer guidance services cannot give a more exact estimate of the processing time over the phone or by email. Read more about processing times on the page Processing times.

We aim to decide all pending applications as soon as possible. We will contact you if additional information is needed for your application.

You can follow the processing situation of students’ residence permit applications on the page Processing queue of students’ residence permit applications. We update the information about the queue approximately once a week.

Proving your identity at a Finnish mission

At most Finnish missions, the reception of applications from students and the proving of the applicant’s identity is progressing efficiently. The Finnish mission in New Delhi is still dealing with backlogs in the reception of students’ residence permit applications and identity verification. For more information, see the Finland Abroad website (finlandabroad.fi).

To allow students to prove their identity as required, the Finnish missions are currently prioritising students’ applications. As a result of this prioritisation, all students cannot get their families to Finland at the same time as the students arrive, and there may be delays in the submitting and processing of family members’ applications.

Things to consider if you do not get a residence permit on time or cannot start your studies this autumn

1. 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.

2. 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’.

3. 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.

4. 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.

Read more

• For updates on the processing queue, see the page Processing queue of students’ residence permit applications.
• For information on the residence permit for studies and on the permit requirements, see the page Studying in Finland.