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Illiteracy

You can request an exception to the language skills requirement if you came to Finland as an adult and were illiterate (unable to read and write) when you came to Finland.

Add the following documents to your application:

  • A teacher’s certificate stating that you were illiterate when you came to Finland. The certificate must be issued by a teacher who has taught you. 
  • One of the following certificates:
    • A certificate stating the level of your speaking and comprehension skills in the Finnish or Swedish language.
      • The assessment must apply the skill level scale of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, CEFR (A1.1–C2.2).
    • A certificate showing that you have regularly participated in studies in the Finnish or Swedish language.
      • You can submit, for example, certificates of the language courses you have completed and of your studies in the language, or a document issued by your language teacher as proof of your regular participation in the studies.
      • The certificates must show when you participated in the language studies and a record of attendance. Record of attendance means notes confirming when you were present in class.

Granting an exception to the language skills requirement is possible if you meet one of the following two conditions:

  • You have at least elementary listening comprehension and speaking skills in Finnish or Swedish.
    • Your comprehension and speaking skills in the language are at least on level A1.3.

Or

  • You have regularly participated in studies in the Finnish or Swedish language.
    • Your participation in the studies is regular when you have attended Finnish or Swedish language courses for several years and when you are still continuing your studies or have only recently concluded them.

It is not possible to grant an exception to the language skills requirement in the following cases:

  • If you cannot yet read or write in Finnish or Swedish but you can read or write in some other language.
  • If you can write in Finnish or Swedish only a little.
  • If your ability to learn a language is slow.

When we decide your application, we will take into account all the information and certificates that we have about your literacy and school attendance in Finland and abroad.