New international students arriving for the spring semester – the Digital and Population Data Services Agency helps with transactions

Studies starting in January will bring new exchange and degree students from abroad to Finland. The Digital and Population Data Services Agency will continue its proven ways of making students' lives easier in Finland.

International students in institutions of higher education can easily report their data to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency online. If the student also needs to be identified personally, we will organise separate pop-up events at the places of study in January and February.

– Our international affairs specialists were in active contact with the institutions in the autumn, and together we were able to direct the majority of students to our events. This made it easier for students to use the services, and we were able to serve our other customers more smoothly, says Chief Specialist Maisa Gynther from the Digital and Population Data Services Agency.

– After the good experiences of the autumn, we will expand the use of online forms at the beginning of 2024, as they will speed up the registration of data in the Population Information System, she adds.

Why do students need to contact the Digital and Population Data Services Agency?

International students' needs at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) may include obtaining a personal identity code and applying for a municipality of residence.

International higher education students need Finnish personal identification numbers for their studies. If the student does not already have one, they can apply online to the Digital and Population Data Services Agency to register as a foreigner. A personal identification number may also be needed for dealing with authorities, opening a bank account and receiving wages. 

Students can apply for a municipality of residence online if they have a personal identification number and they meet the statutory requirements for receiving a municipality of residence. It is not a requirement to apply for a municipality of residence, but it is needed, for example, for a Finnish electronic ID card or a student discount on public transport.

Once the student has submitted an application for a municipality of residence or a registration request for a foreigner, the Digital and Population Data Services Agency usually still has to meet them in person. The Digital and Population Data Services Agency will organise separate identification events for students starting in January and February in cooperation with higher education institutions. Students can ask for more information about these from their own educational institution.
 

How the matter of a student arriving in Finland progresses in the Digital and Population Data Services Agency

1. Students fill in the online form at dvv.fi

2. Students must identify themselves within one month of submitting the online form. Identification events are organised for students in cooperation with higher education institutions.

3. The Digital and Population Data Services Agency will deal with the matter. 

4. The student is notified of the registration.

Read more: Registration of a foreign student in the Population Information System and applying for a municipality of residence 

Additional information: Chief Specialist Maisa Gynther, Digital and Population Data Services Agency, tel. +358 295 536 355, [email protected].