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Information for Students Coming from Third Countries

This page provides instructions that are useful to note when applying for studies to WinNova from third countries, before arriving in Finland, and during your studies. A third‑country national refers to a citizen of a country other than an EU Member State, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.

Key information for students applying to Finland from outside the EU/EEA:

Tuition fees

In the future, students coming from third countries will be charged tuition fees in vocational education and training. A tuition fee will be charged from individuals coming from third countries who start their studies on or after 1 August 2026.

The tuition fee requirement in upper secondary education will apply to students from third countries who begin their studies in general upper secondary education or vocational education on or after August 2026, and who arrive in Finland or reside in Finland with a student residence permit. A third‑country national refers to a citizen of a country other than an EU Member State, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.

In vocational education and training, the tuition fee applies to persons
– whose first residence permit in Finland has been granted on the basis of studies
– adults who come to Finland on the basis of family ties, if their sponsor (the family member residing in Finland) holds, or has first been granted, a residence permit on the basis of studies.

These individuals must pay the tuition fee until they are granted a permanent residence permit.

For students subject to compulsory education, studying in Finland remains free of charge. Compulsory education applies to persons under the age of 18 who move to Finland together with their family or guardian and who have obtained a municipality of residence in Finland. The grounds on which the sponsor’s residence permit has been granted have no significance.

During the application phase, the applicant’s obligation to pay tuition fees will be verified, and the education provider will request the necessary information from the Finnish Immigration Service.

The applicant must prove their identity and attach a valid identity document to the application.
Accepted identity documents include a valid:
– passport
– identity card issued by Finland or another EU/EEA country, or
– equivalent original, photo-bearing identity document issued by a Finnish authority or other official domestic body.

If you do not, for a justified reason, have any of the documents listed above, we can also accept another form of identification (e.g. Finnish Red Cross customer card, residence permit card, alien’s travel document, or Finnish driving licence).

If the applicant does not pay the tuition fee by the due date, the education provider may cancel the study place.

If the applicant has paid the tuition fee but does not receive a residence permit, the tuition fee will be refunded to the applicant. A negative decision must be submitted in the form of an official document issued by the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri). Fees for orientation studies are not refundable under any circumstances.

Amount of tuition fees
This section will be updated with detailed information on the tuition fee amounts once the information is available.

Note: The special programs with Orientation to Qualification Studies for international students have their own designated tuition fees.

  • Tuition fees do not apply to vocational education and training provided as labour market training.
  • Tuition fees also do not apply to the preparatory education for vocational qualification (TUVA) programme.
  • A student coming to Finland for apprenticeship training needs a residence permit for an employee in order to stay in Finland. A person coming to apprenticeship training with an employee’s residence permit does not pay tuition fees.
  • A student liable to pay tuition fees is entitled to student welfare services, learning support, and special support.
  • A student liable to pay tuition fees is not entitled to daily free meals in vocational upper secondary education, to student welfare benefits in apprenticeship training, or to free accommodation in a student dormitory.
  • A student liable to pay tuition fees is not entitled to free learning materials or supplies.

Residence Permit Type A and Type B​

Residence permits are either fixed-term or permanent. A fixed-term residence permit is either continuous (an A permit) or temporary (a B permit). The type of your residence permit is indicated on the residence permit card with a letter.​

TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT​

A permit​

  • The A permit is a fixed-term residence permit that is valid for a given time period. The A permit is a continuous residence permit, which means that it is intended for someone who moves to Finland for a longer period. You may be issued an A permit if you are granted a residence permit for a specialist, or when you move to Finland to live with a family member who is a Finnish citizen, for example.​

B permit​

  • The B permit is a fixed-term residence permit that is valid for a given time period. The B permit is temporary residence permit, meaning that it is intended for temporary residence in Finland. You may be issued with a B permit if you move to Finland temporarily for work, internship or student exchange, for example.​

More information https://migri.fi/en/residence-permit-types(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun), https://migri.fi/en/residence-permit-application-for-studies(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun), https://migri.fi/en/guide-for-students(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)​

If a person has either a continuous A residence permit or a temporary B residence permit that is valid for at least one year, and a certificate showing they will study for at least two years, they can get a permanent address and a municipality of residence, https://dvv.fi/en/municipality-of-residence(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)/(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)

Persons without a valid residence permit no longer qualify for residence-based Kela benefits as of 1 April 2026 https://www.kela.fi/news/persons-without-a-valid-residence-permit-no-longer-qualify-for-residence-based-kela-benefits-as-of-1-april-2026(siirryt toiseen palveluun)

Living and Studying in Pori and Rauma

Living Costs

You can be granted a residence permit for the entire duration of your studies. You need to be able to support yourself in Finland. When you apply for your first residence permit for studies, you cannot secure your income with work.

You must have sufficient funds for living in Finland during the entire period of validity of your residence permit. You need to have at least 800 euros per month at your disposal to be able to pay for your accommodation, food and other needs. Note that, the monthly living costs for a student are 800–1,200 EUR or even more, depending on your spending habits.​

Student Housing in Pori and Rauma

Student´s family members

It is recommended that the student arrives in Finland first, and the family follows later.​

It is priorities the processing of students’ residence permit applications so that students could begin their studies in Finland as planned. For this reason, family members of students may not receive their decisions at the same time as the student.​

The following people, among others, are considered family members of a Finnish citizen and a foreign national who is not an EU citizen:​

  • a spouse​
  • a registered partner​
  • a child under 18 years of age. ​

When you apply for a residence permit on the basis of family ties, you must have sufficient financial resources. You must prove in your application that you and your family have enough money for living in Finland for the first year. Family includes you, your sponsor (the student) and your children. ​

All family members should have health insurance (not mandatory but highly recommended).​

More information and required income https://migri.fi/en/students-family-members(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun) ​

Early childhood education, Pre-primary education and Basic education in Pori and Rauma

https://www.oph.fi/en/education-system/early-childhood-education-and-care-finland(siirryt toiseen palveluun)

https://www.oph.fi/en/statistics-and-publications/publications/finnish-education-nutshell(siirryt toiseen palveluun)

https://omaperhe.fi/en(siirryt toiseen palveluun), https://www.infofinland.fi/en/health/childrens-health#heading-b6bba1b4-9fed-4279-80ac-7931e521ffc0(siirryt toiseen palveluun)

Pori

https://www.pori.fi/en/education/early-childhood-education-and-care(siirryt toiseen palveluun)

https://www.pori.fi/en/education/education/preparatory-education-for-immigrants(siirryt toiseen palveluun)

https://www.pori.fi/en/education/education/compulsory-basic-education(siirryt toiseen palveluun)

Rauma

https://www.rauma.fi/en/children-and-youth/early-childhood-education-and-care(siirryt toiseen palveluun)

https://www.rauma.fi/en/children-and-youth/basic-education/teaching-students-with-an-immigrant-background/(siirryt toiseen palveluun)

https://www.rauma.fi/en/children-and-youth/basic-education/(siirryt toiseen palveluun)

Working as an international student

Mandatory healt insurance

As a student, you must personally cover the costs if you become ill in Finland. In order to get a residence permit, you must take out private insurance that will cover your medical and drug expenses.​

Finnish Immigration Service assesses each insurance policy and its terms and conditions individually when they process residence permit applications. The insurance policy must include at least the following information:​

  • your personal details​
  • period of validity of insurance​
  • geographical area in which your insurance is valid​
  • insurance coverage​
  • insured amounts​
  • amount of excess, or a mention that there is no excess.

Your insurance must be valid when you arrive in Finland.​

More information https://migri.fi/en/insurance(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)

Study tools

  • Your study program includes using a laptop from the very first day.​
  • As a student at WinNova, you’ll use online platforms for studying and staying connected.
  • A phone is not enough as a study tool.
  • A student liable to pay tuition fees is not entitled to free learning materials or supplies.

Tips for successful digital learning​

  • Check your digital skills and try to improve them. ​
  • Practice using a laptop for study before the program starts. This will help you begin smoothly. ​
  • Use your online Pathway studies and the English/Finnish language course to practice and strengthen your digital skills.​

After Graduation

  • You can apply for a residence permit on the basis of a degree completed in Finland or research work completed in Finland, if​
    • you have a job, pursue a trade or engage in business activities in Finland and​
    • you have either studied and completed a degree in Finland or completed your research in Finland.​
  • You can apply for a residence permit to look for work or to start a business, if you have or have had a residence permit for studies or for research and ​
    • you do not yet have a job or ​
    • you have a job but you do not earn enough to be issued with a residence permit on the basis of work.​
  • More information: https://migri.fi/en/after-graduation(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)

More information

Special study programs for international applicants from outside the EU/EEA

In WinNova we have special application programs for international applicants from outside the EU/EEA for both English‑language and Finnish‑language vocational qualifications, supported first by Orientation to Qualification Studies. Applications for these programs are primarily submitted through our education agents. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to apply for these special programs. The programs are designed for students who have an upper secondary education completed outside Finland.

To apply for these special study progams

To apply for these special (English-/Finnish) programs with Orientation to Qualification Studies for international applicants from outside the EU/EEA, use only the online links you get from the our education agents.

Applications can only be submitted during the specified application period. ​

Programmes currently open for applications:

​Application Period 4.2.-31.3.2026:

Orientation to Qualification Studies in English and Vocational Qualification in Restaurant and Catering Services (Cook, Waiter/Waitress)

  • Be able to study in English = fluent English skills (CEFR B2.1 or higher)
  • The applicant’s language proficiency will be assessed as part of the selection interview.

Application Period in 16.2.-30.4.2026:

Orientation to Qualification Studies in Finnish and Vocational Qualification in Social and Health Care (practical nurse)

The application process for these programmes is as follows:

  • You will be notified by an email from hakupalvelut@winnova.fi(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan) when the application has been received ​
  • Please attach the certificates that verify your eligibility to your application. All certificates must be translated into Finnish or English. If you are unable to provide the certificate, you cannot be admitted to the programme.
  • Once the applicant’s eligibility has been checked, the applicant will receive an invitation for an interview and after the interview, a selection decision will be made. ​
  • The selection decision will be notified to the email address provided by the student.​
  • The approved selection decision will be accompanied by an invoice for the tuition fee and instructions.
  • After the payment has been made, the degree student will receive a a certificate of payment of the tuition fee to the email address provided. ​
  • You can apply for a residence permit once you have received the selection decision and the certificate of payment of the tuition fee.
  • Orientation to Qualification Studies students will receive instructions for starting their online studies.​
  • Approximately two months before the vocational studies begin, the new students will receive an email about the start of the studies.​
  • Arrive in Finland well in time before the studies begin.​
  • The first week will include orientation studies and practical information about the school.

Applying from third countries – meet our agents

WinNova has several education agents who support student recruitment abroad.

Ethics and responsibility

Ethical Guidelines and Principles for International Student Recruitment (pdf) (avautuu uuteen ikkunaan)

Meet our Agents

Please contact them directly if you wish to use their services.