How hard is it to get a Finland Student Visa

[livefreely]

Hi,

I have recently been accepted to study bachelors in Computer Science at a University in Helsinki. The next step for me would be to apply for a visa. But since the Finland Embassy in my country does not issue visas, I have to travel to India to apply for it. It would cost me about $2000 for the air fare and accommodation etc. Because of this, I want to know roughly what percentage of student visas get accepted in Finland, since it would cost me a lot of time and money to apply for it and I want to know my chances of getting it beforehand.

My profile is: Graduated Highschool and worked two years as a web developer. My education is in accordance to my work and passion/interests.

I have a letter of acceptance from the University, and $10,000 in my bank account.

I want to know does Finland have a reputation of rejecting student visas a lot, or is the other way around? Since Finnish universities are tuition-free, maybe the consulates aren't very keen in issuing student visas? Or does the Finland government have an accepting attitude towards international students and if the visa-criteria is fulfilled, most visas normally get accepted.

Thanks a lot, wonderful people.

Yours Truly,
A student from Afghanistan.

[Beep_Boop]

First of all, it's a residence permit not a visa.

I was in the same situation as you, and the way you're thinking isn't constructive. Instead, you want to focus your efforts on making a perfect application. Make sure you have the money in your bank account long enough before your application, and don't withdraw the money after you submit the application. Make sure you have a paper from the bank directly and not an online statement. Just use common sense and assume that you're the person processing the application and try to see what reasons you'll have to reject the application.

Anyway, to answer your question, there are data from 2010.
http://www.migri.fi/download/16632_Oles ... 1bb7fed188
4995 Application: 505 rejected (10.1%), 4490 accepted (89.9%).

[betelgeuse]

I want to know does Finland have a reputation of rejecting student visas a lot, or is the other way around? Since Finnish universities are tuition-free, maybe the consulates aren't very keen in issuing student visas? Or does the Finland government have an accepting attitude towards international students and if the visa-criteria is fulfilled, most visas normally get accepted.

The decisions of Finnish officials must follow the law. If the criteria for residence permits are filled, the officials have no basis to reject the application. You often see stories where Finnish officials just follow the rules even when everyone agrees that it results in absurd results.

[Upphew]

Hi,
I have recently been accepted to study bachelors in Computer Science at a University in Helsinki.

Are you sure?

"Currently, the BSc degree in Computer Science can be completed in Finnish only. "
http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/en/prospective