Residence Permit
Residence permit should be applied if the intended stay in Finland is longer than 90 consecutive days. Residence permits are issued among others to students, employees and persons, whose close relatives live in Finland.
Finland will introduce biometric residence permit cards at the beginning of 2012. They will replace the residence permit stickers for travel documents. The change is based on an EU Regulation issued in 2008. According the regulation the residence permit card chip includes a facial image and two fingerprints. Residence permit applications must be submitted in person. A family member resident in Finland or an employer will no longer be able to submit an application on behalf of the applicant.
Below the most common application categories are explained. Information about other types of categories and application forms are available at the website of Finnish Immigration Services.
Application Process
Application hours
Residence permit applications can be submitted from Monday to Thursday 9.00-11.00. The applicant has to submit all required documents together with the application form. Missing documents might slow the process considerably.
Apply online
You can apply electronically for
- a student's residence permit
- a residence permit on the basis of employment
- a residence permit for a specialist
- a residence permit for a trainee
- a residence permit on the grounds of sports-related or coaching work
- a residence permit for a researcher
- a residence permit for an au pair
- a residence permit on the grounds of self-employment
For applying electronically you should be able to scan the required documents. You will have to visit the Finnish Embassy to verify your identity and give your fingerprints. Also the original documents must be presented at the Embassy. For applying electronically you have to register at Finnish Immigration Service e-service.
Finger prints
All residence permit applicants will have prints taken of all their fingers to be recorded in the Register of Aliens. Finger prints will not have taken from under 6 years old children.
Application fees
Application fees must be paid in cash in Nepalese rupees according to each month's exchange rate.
Also children who travel with their parents' passport must pay fee and fill up forms.
Processing time
The processing time depends on the type of permit applied. Average processing time for students and workers is two months, for family members six months.
Decision making
The decisions are made in the office of Finnish Immigration Service. The Embassy receives the applications and sends them to the Finnish Immigration Service for processing.
After the decision is made by the Finnish Immigration Service the Embassy calls to the applicant or his/her representative to receive a written decision. There is a right to appeal about the decision.
If residence permit is granted
Applicant or his/her representative must come to Embassy with passport to pick up the residence permit card.
General Requirements for all Residence Permit Applications
- Personal appearance of the applicant - all applicants are interviewed
- Originals and two photocopy of each document must be presented
- All applicants or their representative must fill out the residence permit application form and submit the original and one copy of the duly filled application form.
- Valid passport (and old ones, if any; valid at least up to applied duration of stay)
- Two photocopies of all relevant pages of the passport
- Citizenship card
- Two colour photographs. It is important that the photo fulfills the requirements. See the exact quality requirements from the link below.
- Note that additional documents not mentioned here may be required
All forms are available at the Embassy of Finland and at the Finnish Immigration Service's webpage.
Required Supporting Documents by Residence Permit Category
Residence permit for scientific research
- Form OLE_TUT
- TEM 054 from the employer
- Study and work certificates from higher secondary level up to date
- Hosting agreenment from the receiving research institution
- Health insurance recommended
Residence permit for an employed person
- Form OLE_TY1
- TEM 054 from the employer
- Original work certificates
Residence permit for a spouse of a foreigner
- Form OLE_PH1 for the applicant
- Form PK1_plus from the family member in Finland
- Original and English translation of marriage certificate, both legalised (for legalisation see other services)
- Photocopies of all relevant pages of the inviting family member's passport
Residence permit for spouse of a Finnish citizen
- Form OLE_PH2 for the applicant
- Form PK2_plus from the family member in Finland
- Original and English translation of marriage certificate, both legalised (for legalisation see other services)
- Photocopies of all relevant pages of the inviting family member's passport
Residence permit for child and other family member
- Form OLE_PH4, and from the guardian form PH4_plus
- Original and English translation of birth certificate mentioning both parents' names, place and date of birth, both legalised
Residence permit process for students
- Make an appointment for submitting the documents: Mon-Thu 13:30-14:30 Tel. 980 100 23 23
- Come to the Embassy to submit your documents.
- Pay the service fee at the Bank. You will receive an invoice at the Embassy. The service fee is non-refundable even if the decision is negative.
Come to the Embassy for the interview and fingerprint collection. The Embassy will give the appointment for the interview when you submit your documents. Bring the receipt of the bank payment with you.
Wait for the decision. The Embassy will contact you when the decision is ready to be collected.
Collect your decision. Bring your passport to proof your identity. If you are unable to collect the decision yourself, you may authorize another person to collect it for you. The person collecting the decision must have a letter of attorney signed by the applicant, the receipt of payment and an ID when he comes to the Embassy.
- The applicant has to submit all required documents or the application is not accepted.
- The applicant must provide standard paper size (A4) of all the supporting documents in duplicate (one for the Embassy, one for the Immigration Service), the originals must be shown also.
- Note that the Embassy does not make any copies.
- The application form is to be filled and signed at the Embassy.
- Make sure your documents are in two separate piles neatly. The reception at the Embassy will not organize the papers for you.
The Embassy of Finland advises the applicants not to pay for any airline tickets before the decision is made in order to avoid financial loss.
Required documents:
- Valid passport (present previous passports also)
- Two passport photos, read the requirements
- Resident permit application form duly filled and signed by the applicant. The Embassy accepts only application filled at the Embassy by the applicant himself.
The following documents are to be submitted in a two set (one for the Embassy and one for the Immigration Service) The Embassy requires to see the original documents also. The originals will be returned to the applicant. All documents must be translated into English or they will not be accepted!
Note that the documents must be submitted in the following order in two set:
- Copy of the passports information page
- Certificate of acceptance from a Finnish educational institution
- Health insurance: If studies last more than two years a health insurance covering up to € 30 000 valid min. of one year from the date student expects to arrive to Finland. If studies last less than two years, insurance coverage must be up to € 100 000
- IELTS or TOEFL
- Previous study certificates
- Clarification of income: A deposit of equivalent of € 6.720 on applicant's own account, income proof and latest six months bank statement of the applicant's sponsor
- Copy of passports pages with any markings or stickers
- Any employment certificates
- Citizenship card
