At this section there are listed some of the social and academic affairs, that are related to international students' life in Finland. Please note, that not all of them directly apply to you. Many social security services depend of your country of origin, original reason for migrating to Finland as stated in the documents, time spent in Finland before starting your studies and other related factors.

For example the KELA student benefits are only appliable for those that have a residence permit A or P and/or have worked in Finland previously and/or EU- & ETA-students who have arrived to Finland before applying for a university entrance. Students from Nordic countries enjoy special rights, as there is a specific agreement concering social security among Nordic countries.

Nordic students do not need a residence permit for they stay nor do they need a visa. However, if their stay exceeds oneyear they should present the local register office with an Inter-Nordic Migration Form. Citizens from EU- & ETA-countries should registrate at local police station, if they stay exceeds 3 months. Others coming from non EU- or Eta-countries need a valid residence permit, if they stay exceeds 3 months. Untill then they can stay with a tourist visa.