Finland Student Residence Permit — EUR 800/month funds; whole-degree permits; 30 h/week workfor 🇷🇺 Russian citizens travelling to 🇫🇮 Finland
Russian citizens are required to obtain a Finland Student Residence Permit — EUR 800/month funds; whole-degree permits; 30 h/week work before travelling to Finland. You must submit a formal application at the Finland embassy, consulate, or a designated visa application centre in your country. Apply well in advance of your planned travel date.
⚠️Travel advisory for Russian citizens
Finland has closed all of its land-border crossing points with Russia, so overland entry from Russia is not possible and visa issuance is heavily restricted.
Finland closed every crossing point on its eastern (Russian) land border in late November 2023 and has repeatedly extended the closure — currently in force until at least 31 December 2026 — citing instrumentalised migration. Russian nationals cannot cross into Finland by land, and Finland, like the rest of the Schengen area, applies the suspended-facilitation rules to visa applications (higher fee, more documents, restrictive multiple-entry, wide discretion to refuse). Entry to Finland via another Schengen state on a valid Schengen visa may remain possible, so this is a restriction rather than an absolute ban. The closure is reviewed periodically — confirm the current status with the Finnish Border Guard before making plans.
Source: Finnish Government — situation at Finland’s eastern border · Verified June 2026
📋Required Documents10
- ✓Letter of admission from a Finnish university or university of applied sciences
- ✓Student residence permit application in Enter Finland
EUR 350 online (EUR 450 paper)
- ✓Proof of funds: EUR 800 per month / EUR 9,600 per year in your own bank account
- ✓Proof of paid first-year tuition or a scholarship award (non-EU tuition typically EUR 6,000–18,000/year)
- ✓Health insurance covering you in Finland (required until you qualify for Finnish coverage)
- ✓Passport valid for the permit period plus a photo meeting Finnish specifications
- ✓Academic transcripts and previous degree certificates
- ✓Biometrics at a Finnish mission or VFS centre
- ✓The permit covers your WHOLE degree in one decision (since 2022)
no annual renewals
- ✓You may work up to 30 hours per week during term; after graduation apply for the job-search permit of up to 2 years
ℹ️What to Expect
To apply for a Finland Student Residence Permit — EUR 800/month funds; whole-degree permits; 30 h/week work, book an appointment at the nearest Finland embassy or visa application centre in your country. Submit the required documents in person or via a designated courier service. Processing takes approximately 30 days. The government fee is EUR 350.00. Plan well ahead of your intended travel date to allow time for processing and any additional document requests from the consulate. Always verify current requirements with the Finland embassy or official government website before booking travel.
🌐Why Russian passport holders need a visa for Finland
Russian citizens require a visa to enter Finland based on the current immigration requirements set by Finland's government. Russian passport holders must apply through the Finland embassy, consulate, or a designated visa application centre before travelling. Requirements are subject to change, so always verify at the official government portal.
⚠️Common Reasons Finland Student Residence Permit — EUR 800/month funds; whole-degree permits; 30 h/week work Applications Are Refused6
- !No acceptance to a Finnish educational institution for the chosen programme.
- !Insufficient proof of funds (at least about EUR 800 per month / EUR 9,600 per year) for living costs, or unverifiable funding.
- !No required insurance cover, or doubts about the genuineness of the study purpose.
- !Incomplete documentation, or a passport with insufficient validity.
- !A record of prior overstay or immigration breaches.
- !False or misleading information, forged documents, or a relevant criminal record.
Refusal grounds are at the discretion of the deciding officer and can change. This list is informational — always verify current requirements at the official government portal.
Requirements last reviewed: June 2026 · Source: official government portal
🔗More Finland Visa Options
- Finland Schengen Visa (Type C) — short stays up to 90 days in the 27-state Schengen Area →
- Finland Startup Permit — Business Finland eligibility statement; 2-year first permit →
- Finland Work Residence Permit (TTOL) — collective-agreement salary; apply via Enter Finland →