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.
In WinNova we have special application programs for international applicants for both English‑language and Finnish‑language vocational qualifications, supported first by Pathway studies. Applications for these programs are 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 our special progams for international applicants
- To apply for these special (English-/Finnish) programs and Pathways, use only the online links you get from the our education agents.
- Applications can only be submitted during the specified application period.
- Application Period in 16.2.-30.4.2026: Pathway and Vocational Qualification in Social and Health Care (practical nurse)
- Students’ Finnish language skills will be tested after the online course when their studies begin in Finland. Vocational studies are conducted in Finnish and the language proficiency requirement for the studies is A.2.1.
- Provisions on the accessibility of student admissions and the criteria for admission are laid down in the Act on Vocational Education and Training. If you apply to study in Health Care and Social Services, you need to have good overall health and functional ability so that you can safely complete the practical tasks and work placements required in the program. More information https://www.winnova.fi/etusivu/opiskelu-winnovassa/opiskelun-arkea/opiskelijan-saannot-ja-toimintaohjeet/sora-tutkinnot-winnovassa/ (There is a translation function available on our website.)
- Required vaccinations https://www.winnova.fi/koulutustarjonta/terveys-ja-hyvinvointi/sosiaali-ja-terveysalalla-opiskelevan-rokotussuoja/ (There is a translation function available on our website.)
- Application Period 4.2.-31.3.2026: Pathway 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)
- Application Period in 16.2.-30.4.2026: Pathway and Vocational Qualification in Social and Health Care (practical nurse)
- You will be notified by an email from hakupalvelut@winnova.fi(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan) when the application has been received
- 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 student certificate to the email address provided.
- Pathway students will receive a notification of the selection by email and instructions for starting their studies.
- Approximately two months before the 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
Meet our Agents
Please contact them directly if you wish to use their services.
- Fintrust Services
- Nordic Asean Business Forum ry
- ASIA RENKO CONSULTING OY
- Nordlink Education
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.
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 Pathway for international students have their own designated tuition fees.
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)
Living and Studying in Pori and Rauma
- WinNova is located in Satakunta – the southwest coast of Finland.
- The total population of the region is around 224,000.
- The regional centers in Satakunta are the cities of Pori and Rauma (Pori 85,000; Rauma 40,000 inhabitants).
- Both cities are very family-friendly and nature is never more than an arm’s length away.
- Pori and Rauma, like every city in Finland, are safe.
- Pori offers fun and experiences for everyone.
- Rauma, the third oldest city in Finland, was granted town rights on 1442.
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.
- If your studies take 1 year or longer, you must have EUR 9,600 in your bank account when you submit the application.
- If your studies take less than one year, you must have EUR 800 per month at your disposal
- More information https://migri.fi/en/income-requirement-for-students(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun), https://infofinland.fi/en/settling-in-finland/cost-of-living-in-finland(siirryt toiseen palveluun)
Student Housing in Pori and Rauma
- When you come to study at WinNova in Satakunta, one of the most important things is finding a place to live. Living in Finland is safe and well organized, and Satakunta offers cheaper options compared to big cities.
- There is plenty of affordable housing available in Pori and Rauma and, overall, in the region of Satakunta.
- Unfortunately, WinNova does not offer student housing.
- Note: Rental apartments usually do not have furniture. You will need to get basic items like a bed and a mattress.
- Rents vary depending on the apartment’s location, size and condition. Some have free water and district heating.
- The main student housing provider for students is Porin YH Asunnot Oy. They offer affordable student apartments in Pori.
- Looking for a rental apartment in 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://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/compulsory-basic-education(siirryt toiseen palveluun)
Rauma
https://www.rauma.fi/en/children-and-youth/basic-education/(siirryt toiseen palveluun)
Working as an international student
- If you have been granted a residence permit for studies, you are allowed to work in paid employment in any field for an average of 30 hours per week.
- The number of working hours can be exceeded some weeks, as long as the average working hours are no more than 30 hours per week at the end of the year.
- Your work may not slow down your studies.
- Students must pay taxes on their income.
- More information: https://migri.fi/en/income-requirement-for-students(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun) and https://migri.fi/en/work-in-finland(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)
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.
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
- https://finland.fi/(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)
- https://www.visitfinland.com/en/(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)
- https://visitsatakunta.fi/(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)
- https://www.discoveringfinland.com/west-coast/pori/(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)
- https://www.discoveringfinland.com/west-coast/rauma/(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)
- https://workandstudyinwestcoastfinland.fi/en(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)
- https://www.gmcfinland.com/(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)
- https://www.studyinfinland.fi/(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)
- https://satakunta.fi/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Satakunta-Finland_EN-englanti.pdf(avautuu uuteen ikkunaan, siirryt toiseen palveluun)