Immigration Information
Great that you have chosen Finland and HAMK as your study destination! When it comes to the immigration issues, we would like to remind you that you should treat all issues relating to your Finnish immigration with the appropriate seriousness.
All matters relating to immigration in Finland are administered through Finnish Immigration Service MIGRI. The website provides immigration information in many different languages, processing times for student residence permits, appeal procedures, a flowchart for the residence permit process with Finnish diplomatic missions abroad, and information about other immigration matters.
Note that students from EU/EEA countries, from the Nordic countries, and from the non-EU/EEA countries will have separate immigration processes. Students from the UK are affected by the withdrawal agreement of Brexit. Make sure that you follow the immigration instructions designated for the specific group to which you belong.
Residence permit or right of residence
Students coming from non-EU/EEA countries
If you are coming to study at HAMK from outside the EU/EEA countries, it is compulsory to apply for a residence permit for study. Apply for the residence permit as soon as possible – right after you receive the acceptance of letter. The processing time can be over two months during peak application times, which are July – August and November – December. We at HAMK look forward to meeting you at the start of the semester.
Start your application for the first residence permit for studies at MIGRI Online Service. We highly recommend you apply via the online service because it will speed up the application process and it costs less than the paper application. After you have submitted your application, you need to visit a Finnish embassy or consulate in person to prove your identity and to have your fingerprints collected.
SPECIAL NOTICE: When you apply for your residence permit at MIGRI, please also ask to be registered in the Finnish Population Information System. By doing so, you will receive a Finnish personal identity code, which is compulsory to have.
If you have a valid residence permit for studies issued by another EU Member State and if your studies are covered by a Union or multilateral programme that comprises mobility measures or by an agreement between two or more higher education institutions, you have the right to carry out part of your studies in Finland. Submit a mobility notification to Finnish Immigration Services, you can study in Finland for a period up to 360 days.
If your studies are not covered by a programme or an agreement mentioned above or if you want to study in Finland for more than 360 days, you must apply for a residence permit in Finland.
Students from EU member countries, Switzerland, and Lichtenstein
If you are coming to study at HAMK from EU member countries, Lichtenstein, or Switzerland (full list of countries), you do not need a resident permit for Finland. Instead, you need to register your right of residence at Finnish Immigration Service MIGRI. You can start the process by sending an application online before you arrive in Finland.
To complete the registration process, you will have to visit a Finnish Immigration Services MIGRI office within three months of your arrival in Finland. After you send out the application, make sure to book an appointment ahead of time. We recommend you start the application process as soon as you arrive in Finland. (Please observe that if you are a Nordic citizen, you register your right of residence at Digital and Population Data Services Agency DVV, see the sub-section below).
SPECIAL NOTICE: When you register your right of residence at MIGRI, please also ask to be registered in the Finnish Population Information System. By doing so, you will receive a Finnish personal identity code, which is compulsory to have.
Students from the Nordic countries
If you are from one of the Nordic countries (list of Nordic countries), you do not need a resident permit for Finland. Instead, you need to register your right of residence within three months of your arrival at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency DVV. Schedule an appointment at the DVV office where you live for the duration of your studies at HAMK beforehand.
- Students from Valkeakoski Campus – DVV office in Tampere
- Students from Hämeenlinna, Evo, Forssa, Lepaa, Mustiala, and Riihimäki Campuses – DVV office in Hämeenlinna
Students from the United Kingdom
Find out what permit you need as a British citizen or as a family member of a British citizen here.
Residence permit for family members
If your family member is coming with you to Finland, you can find information at residence permit on the basis of family ties.
Initial costs to be considered
Whether you are applying for a residence permit for studies or registering your right of residence in Finland, there are some initial costs to be considered. A careful preparation of financial resources will help speed up your application or registration process.
Proof of incomes
If you need to have a residence permit to study in Finland, you must provide proof of having at least €560 per month to support your livelihood in Finland. For one year of residence, you will therefore need €6,720 in total in your own bank account.
Read more:
Finnish Immigration Services MIGRI: Income requirement for students
Tuition fees
If you need to pay for the tuition fees for your degree studies at HAMK, you need to provide evidence that you have sufficient funds for your tuition fees in your application for the residence permit.
Read more:
HAMK: Tuition fees and scholarship programme
StudyInfo Finland: Am I required to pay tuition fees?
Application fee for residence permit / right of residence
The application for a residence permit is subject to fees. If you apply through MIGRI online services, the cost is €350 for the first permit. If you choose to apply through paper, the cost is €450 for the first permit.
For registration of right of residence (citizens of EU/EEA countries), the application fee is €54 for both online application and paper application.
Read more:
Finnish Immigration Services:
Residence permit application for studies
Registration of right of residence
International insurance
In order to get a residence permit or register your right of residence, you must take private insurance that can cover your medical expenses. HAMK also requires all foreign students to have extensive insurance coverage for their studies. The insurance must be valid when you arrive in Finland. The insurance fee depends on the insurance you take out. If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), you then do not need to take out other insurance.
Read more:
Finnish Immigration Services: Insurance requirements for international students in Finland
Finnish identity code (Social Security Number SSN)
Students from non-EU/EEA countries
For students from non-EU/EEA country, you should ask to be registered in the Finnish Population Information System when you apply for your first residence permit. By doing so, you will receive a Finnish identity code upon being granted a residence permit.
If you do not have a Finnish identity code by the time you arrive in Finland, you need to apply for it by visiting the Digital and Population Data Services (DVV) in person. See registration of a foreign student at DVV.
Remember to schedule an appointment at the DVV office where you live beforehand.
- Students from Valkeakoski Campus – DVV office in Tampere
- Students from Hämeenlinna, Evo, Forssa, Lepaa, Mustiala, and Riihimäki Campuses – DVV office in Hämeenlinna
Students from EU/EEA countries
When you register your right of residence at MIGRI, please also ask to be registered in the Finnish Population Information System. By doing so, you will receive a Finnish personal identity code, which is compulsory to have. See registration of a foreign student at DVV.
Students from Nordic countries
You receive a Finnish personal identity code after you register your right of residence at the DVV office. See registration of a foreign student at DVV.
Read more:
Finnish Digital and Population Data Services DVV:
Registration of a foreign student at DVV
Finnish Immigration Services MIGRI: Service points of Finnish Immigration Services
Registration of municipality of residence
You should do the registration by visiting the DVV office located at the municipality of your residence
- Students from Valkeakoski Campus – DVV office in Tampere
- Students from Hämeenlinna, Evo, Forssa, Lepaa, Mustiala, and Riihimäki Campuses – DVV office in Hämeenlinna
The municipality of residence gives you the right to use the services provided by the municipality. You can set your permanent address, temporary address and postal address when doing the registration. The municipality of residence is also needed for a obtaining a Finnish identity card and a driving license.
Read more:
Finnish Digital and Population Data Services DVV
Registration of a foreign student at DVV
Finnish identity card (ID card)
Please note that Finnish identity card is different from other forms of identification such as a Finnish identity code, a residence permit, or a passport. A Finnish identity card is very important as it allows you to FULLY access different services in Finland, such as banking and telephone. Once you have a Finnish identity code, your right of residence in Finland (EU/EEA countries), and your municipality of residence registered in the Finnish Population Information System, you can make an appointment with any police office in Finland (except for the one in Helsinki airport).
Read more:
Finnish Police: How to apply for a Finnish identity card
Extended permit for studies
Read more:
Finnish Immigration Services MIGRI:
Working while studying
International exchange and degree students are allowed to work in Finland, with certain restrictions. Students from outside the EU/EEA countries are allowed to work for a limited number of hours per week during term time. The limitation does not apply to work or internship that is part of the degree programme studies, for example work placement studies. See Working and internships during studies for more information.
If you work in Finland, you must pay taxes. You need to apply for a tax card and/or a tax number from the Finnish Tax Office Vero before starting to work.
HAMK Talent Boost support international students´ integration and career development. If you are planning to work during your studies, you can get to know about Talent Boost Mentoring Services here. HAMK has also gathered important information to help you get started to work and develop your career in Finland. Read more at Work and Career in Finland.
Read more:
Finnish Immigration Services MIGRI:
Working and internships during studies
HAMK:
Work after graduation
- you may apply for a new residence permit on the basis of work immediately after you have found a job; or
- apply for a residence permit for seeking work if you are not yet employed.
HAMK Talent Boost support international students´ integration and career development. If you are planning to work during your studies, you can get to know about Talent Boost Mentoring Services here. HAMK has also gathered important information to help you get started to work and develop your career in Finland. Read more at Work and Career in Finland.
Read more
Finnish Immigration Service MIGRI: Seeking work after graduation
Business Finland: Work in Finland
HAMK:
