Residence permits and visas

If you need a residence permit, we advice you to start your residence permit application process immediately after you have accepted the offered study place and paid the tuition fee. The entire process may take several months.

Make sure you have all necessary documents needed in the application. After you have made your tuition fee payment, please, send a receipt of the payment to Savonia UAS, Admission services. As soon as we have received your payment, we will send you a confirmation of your study place. The confirmation of study place works also as a receipt of your tuition fee payment, and you can use it as an attachment on your residence permit application.

Do I need a residence permit?

Non-EU/EEA citizens

If you come from outside the EEA/EU countries, remember to apply for a visa from the nearest Finnish embassy in your home country in good time before your departure. Please note, that it is not possible to get the residence permit to Finland on the basis of studies conducted entirely online.

EU & EEA citizens

Citizens of the EEA/EU countries do not need to apply for a visa or residence permit before arriving in the country, but if they stay for more than three months, they must apply for a residence permit in Finland within the three months through the local police station in Finland.

Nordic citizens

Citizens of the Nordic countries do not need residence permits, visas or work permits.

Exchange students

Exchange students or trainees who stay in Finland max. 90 days, are not required to obtain a residence permit. They may reside in Finland for max. 90 days with Schengen passport or a valid visa. Exchange students (other than Nordic citizens) who stay in Finland more than 90 days, must obtain a residence permit as described above.

How to apply and further info

How to apply for a residence permit: Finnish Immigration Service (Migri)

Visas and entry to Finland: Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Find out if you need a visa?

Residence permit instructions:

Residence permits & visas