Stress and uncertainties of a first study permit

A story relates to Indian student's struggle with first study residence permit.

Last year in January, when Covid-19 was not yet an issue, I applied to a Finnish AMK. Then suddenly around March everything started to be chaotic, and the embassies shut down.

Even after being admitted to the AMK in May, the Finnish embassy in Germany, where I was living back then, couldn’t tell when it would reopen and accept identification processes. It also made my decision difficult as to when to tell my boss I was quitting, because back then I was a full-time worker and becoming a tuition-fee paying student in Finland, I had to earn as much money for the expenses in Finland as possible. Plus I didn’t want to risk to lose my job if I cannot go to Finland at all m, because of the resident permit not being issued in time.

There was a huge stress because I didn’t know when I could start my application for my residence permit, and when I could get the residence permit card, because as stated in this story above, you cannot travel to Finland before having it. They could have done things differently with more flexibility in these exceptional times, like asking me to get the card once arrived in Finland or something, but no. I was really worried I would not get my card by the time the studies start, and had to wait until the last minute to book my flight.

Luckily I wasn’t in my home country in Asia so it was a bit easier to travel, but I have read so many stories from Asian students struggling in this situation. I gained 4-5kg due to the stress, which I lost easily after my arrival to Finland.

I wish Migri could have a leaner and a more flexible process regarding everything. Germany was a very bureaucratic country but I don’t remember going through such a stress.

-- Please sign the petition: bit.ly/ReformMigri