Study in Finland from Nepal and India

Finland student visa at a glance

Visa fee

NPR 1.02 lakh

EUR 600

Source: Finlex (Finnish law) (opens the official website in a new tab)

Money to show a year

NPR 16.3 lakh

EUR 9,600

Source: studyinfinland.fi (opens the official website in a new tab)

Work in term

30 hrs/wk

Term-time work

Source: Finlex (Finnish law) (opens the official website in a new tab)

Stay after study

2 yrs

Job-search / business permit

Source: Finlex (Finnish law) (opens the official website in a new tab)

Short answer: To study in Finland you apply for the Residence permit for studies (student residence permit). The main visa fee is EUR 600 (about NPR 1.02 lakh). You must also show EUR 800 per month: money that stays yours. You can work up to 30 hours a week during term. Eligible bachelor's and master's graduates can get a post-study work stay of up to 24 months (rules and longer stays for some degrees below).

How much does it cost to study in Finland?

Two different kinds of money: fees you pay (gone once paid) and funds you show as evidence (they stay in your account). Never add them together.

What do I need for the Finland student visa?

Who needs it

Non-EU/EEA students coming for degree studies of more than 90 days. Source: studyinfinland.fi (opens the official website in a new tab)

Where to apply

Online in the Enter Finland portal, then book an identity-verification visit at a Finnish embassy or consulate. Source: studyinfinland.fi (opens the official website in a new tab)

Admission and tuition

You must be admitted to a bachelor's or master's degree at a Finnish higher-education institution and have paid the fees it requires. Source: Finlex (Finnish law) (opens the official website in a new tab)

Funds

Show secured means for the first year of study (or the whole permit if shorter than a year). Source: Finlex (Finnish law) (opens the official website in a new tab)

Insurance

Insurance covering medical costs is required; if studies last at least two years, cover for medicine costs is enough. Source: Finlex (Finnish law) (opens the official website in a new tab)

Permit length

Granted as a continuous permit for the length of your studies; an extension covers the remaining study right. Source: Finlex (Finnish law) (opens the official website in a new tab)

Doctoral students

PhD students apply for a researcher's residence permit instead. Source: studyinfinland.fi (opens the official website in a new tab)

Processing time

No time is given; apply as soon as you are admitted because there is a waiting period after the embassy visit. Source: studyinfinland.fi (opens the official website in a new tab)

Family

Family members can apply but must meet Migri's income requirement, which depends on family size and location. Source: studyinfinland.fi (opens the official website in a new tab)

Can I work while studying in Finland?

Term-time work

Paid work averaging up to 30 hours a week over the calendar year; work that is part of the degree (internship, thesis) is unlimited. Source: Finlex (Finnish law) (opens the official website in a new tab)

Holidays

Study in Finland says you can work full-time in holidays as long as the average stays within the limit. Source: studyinfinland.fi (opens the official website in a new tab)

Can I stay and work after graduating?

Job-search / business permit

After completing a degree you can get a temporary permit of up to two years to look for work or start a business. Source: Finlex (Finnish law) (opens the official website in a new tab)

Deadline to apply

Apply within five years of your study permit expiring; you must still show secured means. Source: Finlex (Finnish law) (opens the official website in a new tab)

Permanent residence

Possible after four years of continuous residence permits, including study time. Source: studyinfinland.fi (opens the official website in a new tab)

What is different for Nepali and Indian students?

What are the top universities in Finland?

Compare universities across countries

What do international students study in Finland?

The most-studied fields, from official enrolment statistics. No official breakdown for Nepali or Indian students is published, so these figures cover international students.

What has changed recently?

1. 1 Jan 2026

   First study-permit fee rose to €600 online / €750 paper (from €450 / €550 in 2025). Source: Finlex (Finnish law) (opens the official website in a new tab)

2. 1 Aug 2026

   Universities must charge non-EU students in non-Finnish/Swedish degree programmes at least the full cost of teaching, for students starting on or after 1 Aug 2026. Source: Finlex (Finnish law) (opens the official website in a new tab)

3. 5 May 2026

   Government proposal (not yet law when we checked): student permits could be withdrawn or refused if the student receives social assistance. Source: kela.fi (opens the official website in a new tab)

Check these yourself

We could not confirm these on an official page when we last checked, so we do not state them as facts.

• Migri’s own guidance on the income requirement, insurance, permits after graduation and processing times — confirm on migri.fi.
• Which Finnish embassy or visa centre handles applicants from Nepal and India — check finlandabroad.fi.
• Current processing time for first student permits.
• Whether the social-assistance withdrawal rule and the proposed one-year wait for family members and language requirement have been enacted.
• The fee for the post-study job-search permit — confirm on migri.fi.

Official sources for Finland

Government and official pages we use for this guide, checked 22 Oct 2026.

1. 1Ministry of the Interior decree 1336/2025 on Migri fees (2026)fee · 2026 fee table: study permit €600 online / €750 paper
2. 2Decree 902/2024 on Migri fees (2025)fee · 2025 fees for comparison (€450/€550)
3. 3Act 719/2018 on entry for research, studies, traineeship (Finlex)law · Permit conditions, funds, insurance, 30 h/week work, 2-year job-search permit
4. 4Universities Act 558/2009 (Finlex)tuition · Full-cost tuition from 1 Aug 2026 (§10), application fee (§8a)
5. 5Study in Finland – student residence permitstudy_portal · Process overview: Enter Finland + embassy ID check
6. 6Study in Finland – fees and cost of livingfunds · €800/month funds, tuition €9,000–20,000, €100 application fee, 30 h work
7. 7Study in Finland – FAQwork · Work average 30 h/week, family, post-study 2 years
8. 8Study in Finland – opportunities after graduationpost_study · Two-year post-study permit
9. 9Study in Finland – use of educational consultantsstudy_portal · Agent guidance
10. 10Enter Finland e-serviceapplication_portal · Online permit application
11. 11Kela – proposal to withdraw student permits on social assistancechanges · Pending rule change
12. 12VFS Global India – Finland document verificationvfs · Document verification (Bangladesh, Sri Lanka only)