Finland Residence Permit Guidelines

It is important to remember that you will be working with a foreign government and requesting permission to live in Finland. We strongly recommend that you bookmark this page in your web browser to reference while you complete the application requirements. AFS-USA is here to provide guidance, however, it is your responsibility to:

1. Read this entire webpage (including the disclaimers box at the bottom).
2. Visit the Finnish Immigration Service website.
3. Collect the documents necessary for your residence permit application.
4. Submit your visa application and schedule/attend your migration appointment in Finland. 

Please Note: Our webpage provides general guidance on the visa process. It is important for you to confirm your official requirements with the Finnish Immigration Service. In addition to the documents you are responsible for collecting, AFS Finland will provide you with necessary support documents for your application. You cannot apply without them! They will be provided after your arrival on program.

You will be entering Finland as a tourist and applying for a Residence Permit to live and study in Finland on-program! 

Please click on the hyperlinks below to start reviewing your requirements.

• Go to the Finnish Immigration Service’s Residence Permit webpage.
  • Read through the webpage for residence permit instructions.
  • You will apply through this website.
  • Follow this new Guide for Students.
• Then, become familiar with your Visa Application Requirements.
• Review their advice for students here.
• After you have reviewed all requirements, contact the Finnish Immigration Service and VFS Global to confirm the residence permit requirements for minors.
  • We recommend you make contact, either by phone or email, before you start collecting your required documents.
  • You may need to make several attempts to reach someone.
  • It’s important to be polite and ask specific questions in the clearest manner possible.

In order to apply for your residence permit, you need to wait for additional visa support documents to arrive from AFS Finland. While you wait for these, we ask that you schedule your visa appointment and start collecting the required documents for your application.

• Click here to book your appointment with VFS.
  • We recommend that you schedule your visa appointment for as soon as possible! 
    • It’s important to schedule your appointment first to avoid delays in visa processing.
    • Make sure to leave enough time to collect all the required documents before your appointment.
  • If you experience issues making an appointment you will need to contact VFS Global for assistance.
  • AFS USA will ask you to confirm your appointment information (i.e. location, date, and time).
  • Once you have booked an appointment, please email us the appointment information to [email protected].

• Submit your application online (not paper) ASAP! Then, start collecting your required documents.
  • To create an online account on Enter Finland and submit your application electronically click HERE.
• To help aid the process, AFS-USA has compiled a document with a general list of the documents that may be required and tips on how to collect them. 

In addition to the documents you are responsible for collecting (see Step 3), you will also need documents from AFS-USA and AFS Finland. Do not apply for your residence permit without these documents!

• The following documents will be sent to you:
  • AFS-USA Program Acceptance Letter
    • You will receive this from AFS-USA as soon as we receive your support documents from AFS-Finland.
  • Letter of Invitation from AFS-Finland
    • This letter explains that you are enrolled in an AFS program, will be provided with host family and school placement as well as medical insurance coverage for the duration of program.
  • AFS Medical Insurance Letter
    • This letter states that AFS provides secondary medical insurance while you are in Finland.

Please Note:

• • The AFS Finland Invitation Letter and AFS Medical Insurance Letter should fulfill the financial support requirements. However, after reviewing your application materials, immigration authorities may request additional support documentation from both you and your parents (i.e. letter of financial guarantee, bank letter, or bank statements).
    • There is a question on the visa/residence permit application form “How have you secured your income in Finland?” Answer this question by selecting “Other” and writing a comment: “I am an AFS exchange student and will live with a host family”.
  • Submitting a letter of financial guarantee does not change the relationship between you and AFS-USA. Participants must still pay tuition to AFS and we remain responsible for your international travel, support, accommodation, etc. as per the terms of the participation agreement.

• After submitting your application via the online service, you must visit the VFS Global center you selected in order to prove your identity, to present your passport the original copies of the attachments required for your application, and to have your fingerprints taken.

• Arrive early for your appointment.

• Double-check that you have your passport, passport photos, proof of residency in your consulate’s jurisdiction, a receipt for your online payment, and all of the required forms, documents, and copies.

• After applying for the residence permit, you can track the processing of your application through your online “Enter Finland” account.

•  If you only applied for the residence permit: Your residence permit card will be delivered to you in a mail. (The card is manufactured in Finland and delivered to the Finnish embassy, which will then mail the card to your home address.) As soon as you receive your residence permit, review the dates listed and all your personal information for accuracy!
• If you applied for both, the residence permit and D visa: You will receive a visa stamp in your passport at an in-person visit to the Embassy/consulate. You will be able to pick up your residence permit card after arrival to Finland. For this purpose if you do not yet have your host family information, give the officials your own email and phone number and AFS Finland address: AFS Intercultural Program Finland ry, Työpajankatu 13, 00580 Helsinki, Finland
• Upload a scan or high-quality photo of your residence permit to your AFS Dashboard.

Don’t forget to bring the following items with you to Finland:

• Valid U.S. Passport
• Residence Permit Card (or photocopy if it is in Finland. You may be asked to present this at the airport, so please keep it easily accessible in your handbag/carry-on).
• Digital and photocopies of your passport bio/photo pages.
• Additional Liability Insurance — required by AFS Finland, not for visa. You may choose to purchase directly through AFS.