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Most of autumn's residence permit applications for studies have been decided

Publication date 2.11.2018 11.55
Press release

The majority of residence permit applications from students from outside the EU who started their studies this autumn have now been processed. Between 1 June and 15 October 2018, a total of 7,724 applications were decided. A total of 3,746 decisions were made for students who applied for their first residence permit, and 93 per cent of the decisions were positive. During the same period, a total of 3,978 applications for an extended permit were decided, and nearly 99 per cent of the decisions were positive.

During 2018, a total of 10,677 applications have been submitted to the agency. Of the applications submitted, 5,059 were applications for a first residence permit for studies and 5,618 were applications for an extended permit.

Requesting additional information from you may delay processing

At present, there are about 1,250 applications waiting for a decision. Applications are processed in the order they become pending and will be decided when the necessary information has been obtained.

The processing time of your application may be longer than average if:

  • we have requested additional information from you;
  • your application is incomplete;
  • we need to invite you to an interview;
  • you have requested that we make an exception to the requirements that you should meet in order to get the permit.

Large number of new applications arriving in November

The next peak time for residence permit applications for studies is expected in November when students who will begin their studies at the beginning of next year apply for residence permits. The majority of students coming to Finland at the beginning of the year are exchange students.

You should apply for a residence permit as soon as your admission to a Finnish educational institution has been confirmed. For further instructions, see the page Studying in Finland.

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