Finnish Immigration Service – Maahanmuuttovirasto (Migri) is responsible for residence permit decision for non-EU students along with other activities. Non-EU citizens are the only students who pay tuition fees in Finland. Because of Migri’s workload, most students are waiting for residence permit decisions for more than 6 months. Some students lose their study right or some students have to start from the next academic year.

A record number of students applied for the next Autumn semester. Some Universities stated that 50 % more students applied than the previous year. But without considering Migri’s backlog, University will admit new students for Bachelor’s and Master’s program. Non-EU students will face the same fate as previous students who are still waiting. This uncertainty will harm their study life as well as mental health.

Universities also have some responsibilities toward all the students. They should coordinate with Migri according to their work capacity. Now, this is time for the Universities to stop enrolling non-EU students until Migri can process residence permit decision within the estimated time (1-3 months).