American Student Residence Permit

Kiwiiwik245 · Post by **Kiwiiwik245** » Thu Jun 17, 2010 10:51 pm

Alright,

I was just wondering if anybody knew how long it takes to process a Residency permit for an American student during the summertime. I know that the average time is 8-12 weeks as listed on the American Embassy site, and 6-8 weeks as listed on migri.fi, but I wanted to know if anybody had first hand experience with the waiting time. I will only be living in Finland for 4 months. If you know, please inform me! I just sent mine through on June 16 2010, and I need it by August 31 2010. Do you think I'll get it by then?

Thanks in advance!

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hellobebe · Post by **hellobebe** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:11 pm

just beg the embassy to give you the visa before 31th august. they normally will.

Kiwiiwik245 · Post by **Kiwiiwik245** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 7:03 am

How do you go about begging them? Email, call, write??? And it's not a visa - it's a residence permit. Will that make a difference do you know?

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Sat Jun 19, 2010 9:12 am

They have a notice on their front page to refrain from whining or your application will be put to the bottom of the pile...

Kiwiiwik245 · Post by **Kiwiiwik245** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 12:09 am

actually - i believe it's Finland's page that says that. The U.S. Finland Consulate doesn't say that i think... i'll double check though. I had to send the papers through two different places. Hence the difference in times...

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 10:17 pm

Two places? How can you be in two places at the same time? The embassies recieve foreign residents applications abroad, the local police for renewals for those resident in Finland. The two "receiving offices" then submit the paperwork to MIGRI, who doesn't deal with the plebes directly (except their blue moon call times via phone).

Kiwiiwik245 · Post by **Kiwiiwik245** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 10:34 pm

Well I won't be in two places at one time of course. My paperwork has to pass through two places though. You're right, the embassy and the migri <-which i don't even understand completely what exactly their purpose is. However, they have two different websites filled with two almost completely different sets of information. I'm guessing the Migri one says not to call. However, the US Embassy one might not have the same stipulation posted on their website.

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Mon Jun 21, 2010 11:18 pm

Well, the embassy will of course say "its in migri, have a nice day". As it says "The Embassy or Consulate will gather and check the documents before forwarding them for further processing", so basically its a bit like you want a loan in the bank, you have a clerk that asks you all kind of awkward questions and collects your pay stub and tax sheets, and then all that gets sent "main office" to the credit assesment team who do their own stuff and decide if you're really worth a loan.

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