1) No visa or residence permit is required from citizens of other Nordic countries (Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden)

2) Citizens of other EU-countries can enter Finland without visa or residence permit but when in the country they have to apply for a residence permit/ EEA residence card if their period of stay in Finland exceeds three months. This can be done at the local police station.

3) Non-European Union citizens must usually obtain a residence permit at the Finnish embassy or consulate . PLEASE INQUIRE AT THE NEAREST FINNISH EMBASSY OR CONSULATE WHETHER A VISA OR RESIDENCE PERMIT IS REQUIRED. The reason for the stay (for example, studying at the Finnish University) must be clearly indicated when applying for the visa. Please note that the visa of foreigners, who have entered Finland as tourists, cannot usually be extended nor the visitor be given a different type of visa in Finland.

When applying for a residence permit, a student must demonstrate that his/her funds (for example, obtained through SOCRATES/ERASMUS, TEMPUS, ALFA, ISEP or a scholarship based on a bilateral agreement) will cover his/her expenses in Finland. The application for a residence permit (for students) must include a certificate of acceptance as a full-time student to an institution of higher education, or a letter of invitation to take the entrance examination. Please note that taking Finnish language course for Foreigners is not regarded as full-time study. The student must indicate the degree which she/he intends to complete as well as the approximate duration of studies.

Students who have been accepted into an institution of higher education and who support their studies themselves (not through an Exchange programme) must deposit in their name at a Finnish bank a sum stipulated by the Office for Alien Affairs (in 1999, FIM 30,000), with no conditions limiting the use of the account. A new deposit is required at the beginning of each academic year.

EU-CITIZENS (those staying for more than three months !!!):

When you apply for a residence permit/ EEA residence card in Finland you will have to present the following documents:

1) Passport or other ID document
2) A certificate of your registration at the University of Joensuu (available at the office of your department/ KANSLIA)
3) Certificate on funding (some proof of your financial means or scholarship which cover your living expenses in Finland; for example, a certificate of Government Student Grant or Erasmus Grant)
4) 2 passport size photographs
5) A certificate that shows that the applicant is covered by a health insurance in his/her country of origin (EU/EEA citizens: E 128 form should be acquired before the departure to Finland.)

The residence permit for the EU citizens costs EUR 26 (in 2002).

You can apply for the residence permit/ EEA residence card at the Police Station in Savonlinna:

Police Station/ POLIISILAITOS
Tottinkatu 9
57130 SAVONLINNA
Tel. (015) 5780 200

IMPORTANT:

Every person moving to / in Finland (and staying more than a month) must submit an official notification of change of residence (MUUTTOILMOITUS) to the local registry office (MAISTRAATTI). A new notification must always be submitted when changing accommodation. Forms can be obtained from the International Relations Coordinator or from the Post Offices.

Registers Office/ SAVONLINNAN MAISTRAATTI
Street Address: Olavinkatu 24, Savonlinna
Postal Address: 57133 Savonlinna
Tel: (015) 5780 280

Work permit

In order to work, a foreign citizen normally needs a work permit. However, citizens of other Nordic countries or EU-countries need no work permits. An international student may be issued a part-time work permit (max. 20 hours/ week) during the academic year. Full-time work permits may be obtained for vacation periods only. For further information, please contact Savonlinna Employment Office (TYÖVOIMATOIMISTO: Address: Olavinkatu 24, Tel. 466 5800).

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