If you’ve decided to apply for Finland student visa in Nigeria, then this article is for you. The good news is you can apply for Finland student visa in Nigeria without experiencing any challenges. Many Nigerian students are presently studying in Finland. And you also find your way there. Read this article for full details on how to apply for Finland Student Visa.
What is Finland Student Visa?
Finland student visa is issued to enable international students visit Finland, stay and study up to 90 days. If your mission is to study in Finland, this visa is best for you. But if your study duration is above 90 days, you have to apply for a student residence permit.
The Finnish immigration body will grant you a student residence permit under one important condition. That you will return to Nigeria after the completion of your course of study in Finland.
Why You Should Study In Finland
Lively Community
Finland is relatively small in population, but it is a country with numerous parties of international communities. Therefore, you as an international student would find Finland very warming. The Finnish are very friendly and you will find living among them an exciting experience.
World-Class Education
Talking about quality education, Finland has a very good reputation. Finland’s marvelous education system is talked about every now and then. And the country works really hard for its reputation. Finland was repeatedly ranked in the top five countries for PISA scores and it has been said that Finnish students borrow more books from the library more than any other countries in the world. Moreover, the University Of Helsinki (one of Finland’s finest) is ranked #56 in the latest Shanghai ranking.
Safety
Finland is one of the safest countries across the globe today. Apart from the occasional incidence of bear attacks, the streets of Finland are relatively safe. The Finland capital is the second safest city in the world, it has also been named the most livable city in the world. Crime rates are remarkably low outside the cities and the largest risk comes from wild animals.
English is universally spoken
Finland residents are very fluent in English. The country is one of the leading countries in the English Proficiency Speaking Countries and over 450 programs are offer in English in Finland’s universities. However, you must learn Finnish while studying in the country.
Students can get a job, even if they can’t speak Finnish Fluently
International students in Finland can easily get part-time jobs but it would be a little bit difficult to get proffessional job. Interestingly, lack of experience is the main reason why students may not get professional jobs. And not lack of fluency in Finnish.
Nigerian Students in Finland
Nigerian students studying in Finland increase on a yearly basis. A significant quarter of Nigeria students apply for Finland Student visa or residence permits every year. Consequently, it is easy for aspiring students, who want to study abroad, to settle down in Finland. If you are interested, please read. We would soon share tips about visa requirements for Finland student visa application in Nigeria.
Finland Student Visa Requirement For Nigeria Citizens
Whenever you are set to apply for Finland student visa in Nigeria, compile the following documents. You shall present them to the Embassy of Finland in three sets: one original, two photocopy.
1- Application form (completed). Click HERE to download this form. Fill out this form with the latest version of Adobe PDF Reader.
2- Letter of admission from an educational institution in Finland.
3- Transcripts, certificate from previously attended education institution.
4- Proof that you have 560 Euro per month to support yourself financially throughout your studies.
5- Your international passport
6- Two passport photographs
7- If the attached documents are in other languages but English, Finnish, or Swedish, you will also need official translations;
8- Visa application fees
9- Travel Health Insurance with insurance cover worth 30,000 Euro. You can order affordable Finland travel insurance here.
10- Flight itinerary/reservation document bearing flight number, name of airline and entry date. You need not look further for verifiable flight reservation. Please click HERE to get this document.
11- Hotel reservation document, containing name, address and telephone number of hotel for embassy confirmation. Reserve your hotel at affordable rates, click HERE.
12- Cover letter detailing your motive for studying in Finland, the number of schools you applied to, as well as the reasons why you have chosen your institution of learning. You can get support for a standard cover letter HERE. Click HERE.
13 – Other documents, which may include police certificate/report, marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, sponsorship affidavit, and so on.
How to Apply For Finland Student Visa in Nigeria: Step By Step
Ready to apply for Finland Student visa in Nigeria? Take the following steps. But ensure that you have already compiled the required documents for your visa application.
1- Register with the Finnish immigration service.
You must first register with the Finnish Immigration Service before you can apply for Finland student visa in Nigeria. Note that you can apply for this visa as early as three months before your travel date. Also, the visa application is valid for three months from the application date. So you should start applying for visa immediately you get an admission letter
2- Legalize your documents.
According to Embassy of Finland, legalization of documents is important. Please note that an appointment at the Embassy can be booked only when the required legalizations are completed. Visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Finland to do this.
3- Book an appointment with the embassy
Once you have completed all legalizations, book an appointment with the embassy. Send an email to visa.aba@formin.fi to book your appointment.
4- Pay the application fee. You can do this at any branch of the Standard Chartered Bank Plc. Pay to following account details:
Embassy of Finland, 0001449729 (for Naira payment)
Embassy of Finland, 0001449736 (for Euro payment)
5- Send your documents to the embassy
Forward your filled visa application form and all original documents to the Embassy two weeks before you visit the Embassy for your interview.
6- Attend Interview
Arrive early on the day of interview. The embassy works from 9 AM to 2 PM, Monday through Thursday (except on public holidays). Make sure you take the processing payment receipt with you as well as two copies of all your documents photocopies.
7- Get an update
Once the Finnish immigration service makes a decision your application, you will get an update via email.
Finland Student Visa Appointment Booking
All applicants must come to the Embassy personally for their residence permit or visa application to be considered. Appointment is the only way applicants are recieved for application. You may not be able to book an appointment by phone but you can send an email to visa.aba@formin.fi. Composing the email, you should include the applicant’s name, date of birth, reason for applying and nationality. You should also include whether the required legalization have been completed at the Finland Embassy in Abuja, if your documents needs legalization. You should also register the legalized documents in Magistrate. Note that you can request a time frame for your appointment and if the requested time is available, the Finland Embassy will grant it.
Finland Student Visa Processing Time
Finland student visa application processing time varies according to the time of application. Sometimes it takes two weeks but it could take more than that.
FAQs On How To Apply For Finland Student Visa in Nigeria
How much is Finland Student Visa in Nigeria?
You can confirm your Finland student visa fee in Nigeria HERE.
Will I attend an interview for Finland Student Visa?
Yes, you will have to attend an interview during the application processing.
Where is Finland Embassy in Nigeria?
Finland embassy is situated in Abuja. Click HERE for Finland embassy address.
Conclusion
The best way to apply for Finland student visa in Nigeria is to do so on time. The application requires interview with which the embassy determines the genuineness of your purpose of trip. The embassy of Finland is in Abuja and you pay directly to the embassy’s Standard Charted Account to process your visa application. Follow these tips and you can apply for Finland student visa in Nigeria with success.
If you have not taken our free visa eligibility test, we advise you take the test now in order to properly plan your application.
