Post-arrival checklist for international degree students
If you are an exchange student, please see your instructions on the exchange students' page.
Note that the things you need to do before your arrival are listed separately in the degree-level instructions for new students (see bachelor's students, master's students or joint master's students).
All the necessary steps for settling in Finland are collected below. Links to detailed descriptions and instructions are provided. Steps 1-4 are compulsory and should be taken care of as early as possible. Steps 5-10 are optional and may depend on your personal needs but they are still highly recommended as they will make your daily life easier in the long run.
| What | When | Actions |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory: | ||
|
1. Register your right of residence (EU/EEA-citizens only) Non-EU students: this is already covered with your student residence permit. |
Soon after arrival Note: Migri is a busy place. It is recommended that you submit the online application and book the meeting already during summer before your arrival. You can book the visit before your arrival and then make the visit after your arrival. |
|
| 2. Apply for a municipality of residence (if your studies last longer than one year) |
Soon after arrival Note: You must have your own address in Finland. Note: EU-citizens must have the right-of-residence registration certificate from Migri (see number 1). |
See instructions under Registering with the authorities. *Note! DVV will be present at the Aalto Welcome fair during the orientation week. |
| 3. Update your contact information and Finnish ID -code in the Sisu student register. |
At the beginning of term Note: You can't use FSHS student health-care without a registered ID -code in Sisu. |
|
| 4. Pay the student health care fee | By 15 November |
If you have Finnish online bank credentials, you can also use an online service. See instructions under new bachelor's or new master's students |
| Optional: | ||
| 5. Register your student discount on the HSL public transportation service |
After your DVV registration (see number 2) is ready. Note! Double degree students only need a document from Aalto university. |
If you have Finnish online banking credentials, do an update in the HSL app |
| 6. Open a bank account | After your DVV registration (see number 2) is ready. |
|
| 7. Obtain a Finnish ID-card |
After your DVV registration (see number 2) is ready. With steps 6 & 7, you will be able to obtain "strong authentication" for different purposes. |
|
| 8. Get home insurance | Soon after arrival |
|
| Optional at the university: | ||
| 9. Activate campus access (Otaniemi campus only) |
At the beginning of term Note: Common study areas do not require an access token. You will receive more information in orientation week. |
See instructions under Campus guide |
| 10. Order a university library card | At the beginning of term |
|
Commonly used abbreviations
AYY = Aalto-yliopiston Ylioppilaskunta, Aalto University Student Union. An independent student association. Membership is compulsory for all degree students by law and payment is thus connected to the annual enrolment at the university.
DOMO = Housing application system used for AYY housing
DVV = The Digital and Population Data Services Agency. Registration of your municiplaity of residence is done with the DVV.
FRANK App = A digital student card
FSHS = Finnish Student Health Service. Called YTHS in Finnish.
HOAS = Foundation for student housing in the Helsinki Region
HSL = Helsinki Regional Transport Authority
KELA = Social Insurance Institution of Finland. The FSHS health care fee is collected by Kela. Kela student health care fee is compulsory for all degree students by law.
Migri = The Finnish Immigration Service. Registration of your stay in Finland is done with Migri (application for residence permit or EU-citizen's stay).