Obtaining an extension of residence permit

For non-EU & EEA students: Obtaining an extension of residence permit

A residence permit granted to a student is temporary by its nature. If the studies last for more than a year, the residence permit is usually granted for one year at a time. A temporary residence permit bears the letter B. The extension for permit should be applied before the end of a previous permit.

The application for an extension is submitted to the local police. Tampere District Police is located in Hataanpään valtatie 16. Applicants must go to the police station in person to prove their identity before a decision on a permit is made.

An extension of the permit requires that the student is still registered at the educational institution, is a full-time student and has completed the required courses in the institution's study programme. If the student has poor study performance, an extension of the residence permit may be denied.

Those who are now applying for an extension of a previous residence permit, please note, that there has been a major change in policy. The change applies EQUALLY to those students, that already have a temporary residence permit. Students need a valid health insurance during their stay.

REQUISITE HEALTH INSURANCE

After the date of 1.9.2007 citizens of third countries (non-EU or EEA-members) in Finland are required to have health insurance, if the period of study lasts for more than three months. The requirement is the same for degree-seeking and exchange students.

Third-country national means a person who is not a citizen of either one of the EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland. Students from Quebec, Canada are also exempt from the health insurance requirement.

Please note, that the type of health insurance depends on the duration of studies in Finland, which, in turn, affects the right to domicile in Finland. If granted a right to domicile in Finland, the requisite insurance needed is cheaper.

A student who enters Finland to study for less than two years is not usually granted the right to domicile and therefore is not entitled to municipal health care services. Consequently, the student must have private insurance which covers costs of medical treatment up to 100 000 euros.

A student who studies here at least two years is usually granted the right to domicile and is therefore entitled to municipal health care services. Consequently, the student must have private insurance which covers costs of medical treatment up to 30 000 euros (primarily pharmaceutical costs).

The family members of the student, even if granted a residence permit B, are not requested to take a health insurance by law. The new regulation applies only to those who have entered the country in purpose of studying. However it is advisable, that they have valid health insurance during their stay.

NOTE: The right to use Finnish Student Health Service (FSHS) does not exclude a student from having to take out the health insurance. However, if student has a Kela card, in some cases they might be exempt of acquiring requisite health insurance. More detailed information concerning individual cases, please, visit local police station or call (07-187 45415).

REGISTRATION FOR THE DOMICILE

In order to be granted a home municipality in Finland, a student must register at the local registration office (maistraatti). Tampereen Maistraatti (Local Registration Office at Tampere) is located in Hataanpään valtatie 24. See: internetsivu.tampereopas.com/tampereenmaistraatti.

Requirements for the right to domicile are that the student has a residence permit at least for the period of one year and the duration of studies in Finland is at least two years. (Please contact your department in order to have the document in question)

The registered information is used, amongst other things, in the organization of elections, and for taxation, health care, juridical administration and statistical purposes. For more information on registration, check registration office www.maistraatti.fi.

How does the registration happen?

1) Inform the local register office of your place of residence.
2) Bring your passport and valid residence permit with you.
3) Other official documents you will need when registering are a marriage certificate if you are married and the birth certificates of any children you might have.
4) Fill out and sign the Registration of Foreigners -form at the registry.
5) Also remember to make an official change of address notification whenever you move. It is a requirement for registration.

For more information, ask: info.tampere@maistraatti.fi

FROM WHERE TO TAKE AN INSURANCE?

In principle health insurance must be obtained prior to applying for a residence permit. However, you can submit the application for extension and supplement it later on, if you have not yet a valid insurance. It is important, that you apply for an extension before your previous permit expires.

The insurance must be valid for the duration of studies, or at least as long as the residence permit is valid. The insurance must be valid at least in Finland (or Schengen-area). For further information on insurance requirements, check Finnish Immigration Office (www.migri.fi).

At this point none of the national insurance companies in Finland offers a required cover. However international insurance companies offer a range of insurances. Below are links to some international insurance companies, which have come to our attention. Please contact them directly for further information on prices and coverage.

International Student Insurance
www.internationalstudentinsurance.com

International Health Insurance.
www.ihi.com

AON Student Insurance
www.students-insurance.eu

ACS-AMI
www.assistance-etudiants.com/en