Student s residence permit Anna Tähkäpää 3 9 2013

Student’s residence permit Anna Tähkäpää 3. 9. 2013 Turku police station

Student’s residence permit • The studies must lead to a degree or vocational qualification • The student’s residence permit can be valid one year at most

Applying for a residence permit • First residence permit application should be done abroad at the Finnish embassy in the student’s home country • The application for the extension should be done at the police station in the student’s residential area (in Varsinais-Suomi: Turku or Salo police station) • It is also possible to apply electronically (https: //e-asiointi. migri. fi) – the applicant must anyway go to the embassy (first application) or police station (extension) and give finger prints and show all the original documents • For police, an appointment must be booked in advance

Processing times • Police’s processing time at the moment is about 1 -2 months • Depending on the situation it can also be longer • Electronic application for extension does not speed up the process • Upcoming trip, for example, does not speed up the process • The application for extension should always be done before the current permit expires

Necessary documents • Application form (OLE_OPI) • Passport, new passport photo, fee 116 € (year 2013) • Study certificate (certificate of attendance) • Transcript of records • Clarification of income • Health insurance • All the documents must be originals, not copies or printouts

Study certificate • Certificate of attendance for the current or upcoming study year (depending on when the application is made)

Transcript of records • In the decision making, it is relevant that the studies have progressed during the previous study year • The required amount of study credits is approximately 45 credits per year

If the studies are not progressing Reasons, for example: • Writing thesis – Certificate from the university (when has the student started working on thesis, when will it be ready, how many credits is it worth) • Health problems that prevent studying – Doctor’s certificate, own clarification • Other reasons – Own clarification

If the studies are not progressing • If there is no acceptable reason for the lack of progress, the police can grant a residence permit for a shorter time (less than a year) or make a negative decision altogether • In the decision making, police takes into consideration all the clarifications, the case-specific situation and previous study years

Minimum level of income • Requirement is 6. 720 euros per year or 560 euros per month (net) • Student must present a bank account statement from a Finnish bank account (transactions from the last three months) • If the statement is printed out from the internet banking system, the student must present also an original balance statement from the bank • The money must be on the student’s own account and available for his/her use

Minimum level of income • If the money is on a foreign bank account, the student must present a bank statement and a certificate that the money is in his/her use in Finland • Sponsorship agreements provided by relatives, friends or employers are not acceptable • If the student is working, work contract and latest payslip are also needed

Minimum level of income • If the student does not have enough money, the permit can be applied for a shorter time (e. g. if the student has about 5. 000 euros, the permit can be valid for about 9 months) • If the student applies for a one year extension and does not have the necessary income or savings, the decision may be negative

Health insurance • The health insurance must cover medical expenses in the amount of 30. 000 euros if the studies in Finland last at least two years • If the studies last less than two years, health insurance must cover medical expenses in the amount of 100. 000 euros • The health insurance must cover the student’s entire stay in Finland

Student’s right to work • With a student’s residence permit, the student has a right to work full-time if the work is part of an internship that is required for a degree or if the work is otherwise closely related to the studies • Student has a right to do other kind of work 25 hours per week during the academic term • When the university does not offer any instruction, the student can work full-time

Exchange studies • Student can go for an exchange period to another country for one academic term and still have a residence permit in Finland • If the exchange period lasts the whole study year, it is not possible to have a residence permit in Finland • If the student intends to go for an exchange period during the upcoming study year, he/she must present a certificate or clarification about it when leaving the application for the extension • Student may need a residence permit to the other country

After graduation • Residence permit for looking for employment – The permit must be applied for before the student’s residence permit expires – The graduate must present a degree certificate when applying for the permit – Income requirement is 3. 360 euros in total or 560 euros per month (net) – The permit is valid for six months and it is only possible to get it once right after the student’s residence permit

After graduation • Residence permit for working – The graduate must present a degree certificate when applying for the permit – Work contract and latest payslips are also required – Income requirement is 1. 000 euros per month (net) – With this permit, the graduate is allowed to work full-time and do any kind of work

Student’s family members • Student’s family members (e. g. spouse, children) can apply for residence permits to Finland based on family ties • First residence permit application should be done abroad (embassy) and the extension in Finland (police) • The validity of the family members’ residence permit cannot be longer than the student’s permit

Income requirement for family members • Spouse 700 euros per month or 8. 400 euros per year • Child 500 euros per month or 6. 000 euros per year • Second child 400 euros per month or 4. 800 euros per year • For example, a student with a spouse and one child: – 1. 760 euros (560 + 700 + 500) per month or – 21. 120 euros (6. 720 + 8. 400 + 6. 000) per year

Ph. D Studies • If the doctoral student is paid salary or grant, he/she can apply residence permit for scientific research • If the student is studying with his/her own funds (savings), he/she can apply for student’s residence permit • If the student has done another degree in Finland, it is possible to apply for residence permit for working if the student receives salary

Ph. D studies • Income requirement is 1. 000 euros per month (net) • When leaving an application, the Ph. D students must have a clarification from the university about – the length of the research/studies – the length and amount of the funding

Contact information • Address: Eerikinkatu 40 -42 A, Turku • Customer service tel. 071 87 47 060 (Mon-Fri 9. 00 - 11. 00 am) • Email: lupahallinto. varsinais-suomi@poliisi. fi • Application forms: www. migri. fi

Contact information • Alien affairs information desk (with a queue number) – Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 10. 00 - 11. 00 and 12. 00 - 16. 15 Wednesdays closed • Booking an appointment: – www. poliisi. fi – by calling – visiting the information desk at the police station