Official Matters Unofficially Orientation for International Students

Official Matters Unofficially Orientation for International Students Kirsi Konttinen UEF // University of Eastern Finland

Official Matters Unofficially - Topics Official paperwork for the right of residence – residence permit – registration at the local DVV Office, Digital and Population Data Services Agency Health Care Working Driving Banking Phones Recycling UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024

Right of Residence https://migri.fi/en/studying-in-finland Your citizenship and the length of your stay determine what you should do. Your citizenship – the Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Faroe Islands, Greenland) – EU/EEA countries and Switzerland – other countries (non-EU) Length of your stay in Finland – Less than 3 months – 3-12 months – Longer than a year UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 3

Right of residence - Nordic citizens Notification of Move Inform the DVV Office (Digital and Population Data Services Agency) about your move within a week https://dvv.fi/en/international-%20student Nordic citizens are registered in the population register of only one country at a time Forms are available online To register you will need –identification (passport, ID card issued by the police or other corresponding document) – driving license is not accepted, study certificate UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 4

Right of residence – EU citizens Registration of residence No residence permit required from the students from the EU member states, Liechtenstein and Switzerland. If you stay longer than 90 days, register your right of residence at the Immigration Service (Migri) –The closest is in Kuopio, Address: Ajurinkatu 45 –Make an appointment online: https://migri.fi/en/service-points Open Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri 8-16.15, Closed on Thu The registration should be done within 3 months. If you travel outside the Finnish borders, the period of 90 days will start over again! For EU citizens staying in Finland for more than a year: registering the right of residence in Migri is required before you can have the permanent status in Finland (in DVV) UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 5

Documents you need Identification: https://migri.fi/en/identification Registration application (on-line or paper) or with on-line banking the application is on-line: https://enterfinland.fi/eServices/info/europeancitizens A valid identity card or passport The Study Certificate A proof of your funds or a scholarship to cover your living expences in Finland – For example a document from your home university stating your exchange period and the scholarship you have received – Or another proof of how you are going to finance your stay in Finland (for example a letter from your parents) Fee is 54 . https://migri.fi/en/registration-of-right-of-residence UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 6

Right of residence – non-EU citizens Residence permit Residence permit is required before entering Finland. Usually valid for a year or for the study period. Apply for extension about 3 months before your permit expires. If you plan to travel outside Finland, take this into consideration. Renewing your residence permit at the Immigration Service, Migri –Fill in the application on-line –Closest Migri is in Kuopio, address: Ajurinkatu 45 –Make an appointment online: https://migri.fi/en/service-points Open Mon, Tue, Wed and Fri 8-16.15, Closed on Thu UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 7

Right of residence – non-EU citizens https://migri.fi/en/application-for-an-extended-permit-on-the-basis -of-studies Documents required for extending the residence permit – a valid passport and colour copy of your passport – a proof of sufficient financial means ( 560/month) – a proof of the tuition payment or a proof of a scholarship – a proof of health insurance – a study certificate (proving that you are a student) – transcript of records (proof of the progress of your studies) – a photograph https://poliisi.fi/documents/25235045/31329600/Passport-photograph-inst ructions-by-the-police-2020-EN-fixed.pdf/1eec2f4c-aed7-68e0-c112-0a8f25e0 328d/Passport-photograph-instructions-by-the-police-2020-EN-fixed.pdf?t 1 600671672633 Fees for extended permit: 180 for electronic application and 260 for paper application UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 8

Digital and Population Data Services Agency DVV for Finnish Personal Identity Code for Notification of Move All international students need the Finnish personal identity code –you can get it from the DVV Office – The personal identy code is always used in official matters in Finland. – The personal identity code your date of birth and four digits or three digits and a letter in a certain form (for example 010199-123B, 010100A1234) – Inform the UEF Student Services (email: [email protected]) about it as soon as you have it either by visiting the office and showing it or sending an email saying that you have it and what to do next. Use your UEF email when sending the code by email. The students with a residence permit may already have the Finnish personal identity code on their residence permits. Please check. If you have it, inform the UEF Student Services. UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 9

Digital and Population Data Services Agency for Finnish Personal Identity Code for Notification of Move The basic data on foreigners are entered in the population information system – Name, date of birth, nationality, familial relationships and address Notification of Move will be done at the same. Your postal address in Joensuu/Kuopio is registered. Non-European degree students who stay in Finland for at least a year should register at the DVV Office for the municipality of residence (kotikuntaoikeus) even if they have the personal identity code already the possibility to use Finnish public health care UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 10

Documents for registration in the Digital and Population Data Services Agency 1. Fill out the online form Fill in the online registration form on the DVV website: https://dvv.fi/en/international-student 2. Follow the instructions you have received from the DVV Office by email. 3. Visit the DVV office and bring along the required documents. Usually at least these documents are required o Your passport or ID o Your study certificate o Your residence permit if you have one UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 11

Documents for registration in the Digital and Population Data Services Agency In Joensuu You can visit the DVV Office at 9.00-15.30 on Tuesdays 9 Jan and 16 Jan without making an appointment. o If you miss these, you can visit the office at 9-12 on Wednesdays and on Fridays without an appointment. o Or you can book an appointment online: https://secure.vihta.com/public-ng/dvv/#/home Address: Kauppakatu 40 (city centre), https://dvv.fi/en/joensuu-en UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 12

Documents for registration in the Digital and Population Data Services Agency In Kuopio You can visit the DVV office at 9-11 and 12-15 on 15 Jan without making the appointment. o If you miss this date, you can visit the office at 9-12 on Wednesdays and on Fridays without an appointment. o Or you can book an appointment online: https://secure.vihta.com/public-ng/dvv/#/home o Address: Puistokatu 29 (city centre), https://dvv.fi/en/kuopio-en UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 13

Health Care in Finland Finnish Student Health Services- Health care for students – Only for the degree seeking (Master’s and Bachelor’s) students – NOTE: the fee for Student Health Care to be paid by the non-EU students: https://www.kela.fi/web/en/healthcare-fee-for-students-in-higher-educ ation (For the EU students this is paid by their home countries.) – Exchange students and PhD students are not entitled – Not for emergencies Public health care – General public health care – Weekends, nights and emergencies Private health care – accessible – expensive UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 14

Public Health Care – who is entitled to use Citizens of EU and EEA member states – European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) – not totally free, same fee as for Finns Non-EU citizens – must have an insurance: https://migri.fi/en/insurance – entitled to emergency health care ONLY and full costs must be paid – Medical treatment is expensive. – If you have the municipality of residence (kotikuntaoikeus) and a permanent address in Finland (staying in Finland for the minimum of one year), you are entitled to the same health care benefits as Finns have. Citizens from the countries having a social security agreement with Finland – Nordic countries, the United States, Canada, Chile, Israel, Australia, India, China and South Korea https://www.kela.fi/from-other-countries-to-finland-social-security-agreements UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 15

Public Health Care in Joensuu https://www.siunsote.fi/en/web/english https://www.siunsote.fi/en/web/english/health-stations-and-emergency-care General health care – You can find the information on health stations here https://www.siunsote.fi/en/web/english/health-stations-and-e mergency-care – To make an appointment, call the telephone service of the health station you want to visit Mon-Fri at 8.00-16.00 – Never free of charge – Appointment fees for EU citizens and those who have municipality of residence in Joensuu https://www.siunsote.fi/en/web/english/customer-fees GP approx. 21 Specialist doctor approx. 45 (only by GP’s referral) UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 16

Public Health Care in Joensuu Evenings and weekends Central Hospital – Mon-Thu at 4-10 pm, Fri 3-10 pm – Weekends and public holidays 8 am – 10 pm – Call the Medical Helpline at 358 (0)17 116 117 beforehand At night, in accidents and emergencies https://www.siunsote.fi/en/web/english/health-stations-an d-emergency-care – If possible, call the Medical Helpline at 358 (0)17 116 117 beforehand – Central Hospital (päivystys, on-call), address: Tikkamäentie 16, building J2 – Only for emergencies: if it is not an emergency, contact the health care next morning UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 17

Public Health Care in Kuopio https://pshyvinvointialue.fi/web/en (Sorry, the websites are in Finnish. Maybe you can use a translation tool.) General health care https://pshyvinvointialue.fi/laakarin-vastaanotto – Main Health Centre, address: Tulliportinkatu 15 H – Doctors are appointed to patients according to their address – To make an appointment, call the team nurse at 8-16 on Mon-Thu, at 8-15 on Fri. – Never free of charge – Appointment fees for EU citizens and those who have municipality of residence in Kuopio: GP approx. 23 Specialist doctor approx. 45 (only by GP’s referral) UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 18

Public Health Care in Kuopio https://pshyvinvointialue.fi/web/en/emergency-care Evenings and weekends (KYS Hospital) – Mon-Thu at 4-10 pm, Fri 3-10 pm – Weekends and public holidays 8 am – 10 pm – Call the health care service at 358 (0)17 116 117 beforehand At night, in accidents and emergencies – If possible, call the health care service at 358 (0)17 116 117 beforehand – Kuopio University Hospital (KYS – päivystys, on-call), address: Puijonlaaksontie 2 – Only for emergencies: if it is not an emergency, contact the health care next morning UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 19

General emergency number in Finland is 112 When to call 112? In genuine emergency when urgent assistance from police, paramedics, or firefighters is needed. UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024

Private Health Care in Joensuu and in Kuopio Good choice if you have a private insurance to cover all the costs. Be prepared to pay or make sure your insurance will cover the fees. Private Health Care Clinics For example Mehiläinen www. mehilainen.fi Pihlajalinna ITE https://www.pihlajalinna.fi/ Suomen Terveystalo www.terveystalo.com UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 21

Pharmacies Medicine is sold only in pharmacies. Medication with prescription and without Electronic prescriptions Opening hours – Mon – Fri 8:00/10:00 – 18:00/19:00 – Sat 8:30/9:00 - 14:00/15:00 Yliopiston apteekki (University Pharmacy) – In Joensuu: Koskikatu 7, right by the marketplace (tori) – In Kuopio: Puijonkatu 23, right by the marketplace (tori) – Open daily 8:00-23:00 In Kuopio the closest pharmacies to campus are in Prisma and at the University Hospital KYS UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 10.04.2024 22

Working in Finland Finding a job is not easy for a foreigner Finnish skills is often required, at least some Finnish. The more you know the better! Useful links: www.aarresaari.net English www.mol.fi Job Centre/ Ministry of Labour Further info also from Employment Office (www.mol.fi) https://www.jobteaser.com/en Work permit? – Student from EU/EEA Switzerland: no permit needed, no limitations for working – Non-EU students: 30 hours/week on average and fulltime during holidays. No restrictions for work which is included in your degree (training or thesis): https://migri.fi/en/studying-in-finland UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 23

Taxation https://www.vero.fi/en/individuals/ If you work, you need to pay tax (vero). Contact the Tax Office (verotoimisto) to get the tax card and give it to your employer so that they can deduct the tax from your salary. If you don’t have the tax card, 60% taxes will be deducted from your salary. Your nationality, length of stay in Finland, etc. determine your tax rate. Finland has tax treaties with many countries. If you work in Finland, please contact the Tax Office. UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 24

Banking If you come from a SEPA (Single European Payments Area), not necessary to open a bank account in Finland (IBAN/BIC/SWIFT codes work) – use on-line banking Paying bills in cash is difficult. Banks are open from 9:30/10:00 to 16:00/16:30 Cash points: in Kuopio nearest in Prisma Supermarket; in Joensuu in the city center Banks for example: – Nordea, Osuuspankki, Danske Bank, S-pankki, Säästöpankki Opening a bank account in Finland is a lengthy process. Online banks for example: – N26, Revolut, Wise (former TransferWise) UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 25

Good to Know about Cycling Cyclists must keep to cycle tracks whenever possible. Keep to the right. Use a white front light and a red rear light in the dark. There will be a fine if you don’t. Reflectors on the bike are compulsory, too. Everybody should wear reflectors in the dark! A proper helmet may look stupid but can save your life. When joining a street from a cycle track, the cyclist must always give way to other traffic both from the left and from the right. UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 26

Driving in Finland Are you allowed to drive in Finland? A license from an EU/EEA country is valid A license from a country that has signed the Geneva or Vienna convention countries is valid for two years after your arrival date. After that it is to be changed into a Finnish driving license. For example Egypt, Ghana, India, Russia, Turkey, USA Driving licenses from other countries are valid for one year after your information is entered into the Finnish population system (registration at the Digital and Population Data Services Agency) https://www.infofinland.fi/en/information-about-finland/basic-information -about-finland/traffic-in-finland UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 27

Good to Know about Driving in Finland The general speed limit in Finland is 40 or 50 km/h in built-up areas and 80 km/h outside - Speed surveillance cameras are common Headlights and seatbelts must be used at all times Winter tires mandatory according to weather and road conditions – friction or studded tires – engine heaters in winter are recommended Do not use phone when driving, use a hands-free device When driving at night/around dusk beware of moose or reindeer If you drive, do not drink! Immediate arrest if your blood alcohol level is over 0.5 ‰ If you own a car, make sure you have paid all the necessary insurance fees in Finland https://www.liikenneturva.fi/en/road-safety UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 28

Mobile Phones Phone subscriptions Students from EU area: check the prices with your own operator Two options in Finland –Pre-paid: a bit more expensive phone calls, no bills or fees, from Rkiosks –Subscription: a deposit or a sponsor is required, from mobile phone shops Check out for the best deals Mobile operators: Telia, Elisa, DNA UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 29

Recycling Do not buy anything you do not really need!! Reuse things. UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 10.04.2024 30

Recycling Different kind of waste into different containers Various containers by the rubbish shelter or at the recycling points (containers next to Prisma): –Biowaste biojäte, no plastic bags! –Paper paperi –Household cardboard and cartons pahvi (cartons for milk and yogurt, biscuit boxes) –Hazardous waste (batteries, chemicals) –Glass lasi –Tins and cans – metal metalli –Plastic muovi, dry and clean plastics (hard and soft plastic): plastic packs and wrappings for goods and for food – Household waste (mixed) UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 10.04.2024 31

Recycling –Bottles and cans (plastic, metal, glass) – return them in a machine and you will get money back! –Bottles from LIDL have their own system –Unused medicine should be taken to a pharmacy UEF // University of Eastern Finland Kirsi Konttinen 10.04.2024 32

Kiitos! uef.fi