# Residence permits and visas - Savonia AMK

> Information regarding residence permits and visa requirements for students entering Finland, categorized by citizenship and study status.

## Residence Permit Application Process

If you need a residence permit, we advise 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.

Please note that it is not possible to get a residence permit for Finland on the basis of studies conducted entirely online.

## Requirements by Citizenship

### Citizens from outside the EEA/EU countries
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.

### Citizens of the EEA/EU countries
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 register at the DVV and apply for a municipality of residence in Finland.

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

## Exchange Students and Trainees
Exchange students or trainees who stay in Finland for a maximum of 90 days are not required to obtain a residence permit. They may reside in Finland for a maximum of 90 days with a Schengen passport or a valid visa. Exchange students (other than Nordic citizens) who stay in Finland for more than 90 days must register at the DVV as described above.

## Official Resources

*   **Finnish Immigration Service (Migri):** [How to apply for a residence permit](https://migri.fi)
*   **Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs:** [Visas and entry to Finland / Find out if you need a visa](https://um.fi)

## Residence Permit Instructions

*   Instructions for degree students with tuition fees
*   Instructions for degree students without tuition fees
*   Instructions for exchange students
*   Instructions for students applying for an extended permit