9. FINNISH STATE REGULATIONS
In general, a foreign citizen must carry a valid passport in order to enter Finland. But now that the Schengen Agreement (25 March, 2001) has been applied in Finland, the checks at the common borders (including flights from Schengen countries) have been abolished. The following countries are parties of the Schengen Treaty: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.
Nevertheless, the citizens of Schengen countries must have a passport OR an internationally recognised official identity card while in Finland. We sincerely recommend those coming from Schengen countries to bring your passport with you. It is absolutely necessary in case you desire to travel outside the EU from Finland, for example on study tours to Russia or weekend trips to Tallinn.

9.1 VISA AND RESIDENCE PERMIT
Once you have received the Certificate of Admission signed by the International Studies Coordinator of the University of Joensuu or the North Karelia Polytechnic together with relevant information, please contact the Finnish Embassy in your home country in order to find out if a visa or residence permit is required.
Citizens of the Nordic countries do not require a visa or a residence permit. EU and EEA (European Union/European Economic Area) citizens can enter the country freely, but they must apply for a residence permit upon arrival if staying for more than 3 months. Information on how to apply for a residence permit and the necessary documents can be found at the web page of the police in Finland
http://www.poliisi.fi/english/index.html (- licence services - residence in Finland).
You may also contact:
Joensuu Police Station, Licence services
Suvantokatu 17
Ms Anita Kyyrönen (013) 245 5224
Ms Eija Maaranen (013) 245 5322
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 8.00-16.15; Thu 8.00-17.00
Non-EU/EEA citizens intending to enter Finland must secure a study visa/residence permit at the nearest Finnish embassy or consulate with the admission confirmation documents provided by the University or the Polytechnic. Non-EU/EEA citizens must also demonstrate that their own funds or scholarship will cover their living expenses in Finland. Non-EU/EEA students who have been accepted into an institution of higher education and who will financially support their own studies must make a deposit of a sum of money
stipulated by the Finnish Directorate of Immigration (at the time of writing, FIM 30 000/ EUR 5 000/ USD 4 800) into a personal Finnish bank account, or must demonstrate that they have the above-mentioned sum available for transfer with no conditions limiting the use of the funds/account. Applicants coming from outside the EU are advised to contact their nearest Finnish embassy or consulate. More information and details of the rules and regulations can be found on the Directorate of Immigration's web-pages:
http://www.uvi.fi/englanti/oleskelu.html.
International students who are sponsored by organisations are required to enclose the organisation's certificate of award, scholarship or sponsorship with their visa/residence permit application. Please note that tourist visas cannot be extended in Finland.

9.2 REGISTRATION OF A FOREIGNER IN FINLAND
Those foreign citizens intending to stay in Finland for at least a year or to work and receive a salary must register at the local City Administrative Court. A Finnish iimunicipality of residencell is registered for foreigners who have moved to Finland if they intend to stay here permanently or if they have a residence permit for at least one year. Citizens of the Nordic countries do not need residence permits. Neither do they need to report at the City Administrative Court.
The information that is registered is used for various purposes such as for elections, taxation, health care, judicial administration and statistical purposes. In order to register:
· Report to the local City Administrative Court (Maistraatti). The Maistraatti in Joensuu is located at Kauppakatu 40 B or can be reached by telephone at (013) 141 2603, 141 2604.
· Bring your passport and a valid residence permit. Other documents needed when registering include a possible certificate of marriage and birth certificates of any children with you.
· Fill in and sign the form entitled inRegistration information on a Foreigner, which you will get at the City Administrative Court (also available at the International Office of the Polytechnic).
· Make an official Notice of Moving every time you move, also if you move out of Finland.
On the basis of registration, each foreigner is assigned the same kind of personal identity number as a Finnish citizen has. The personal identity number is used for identification purposes, needed in such places as banks, hospitals and the registration offices of different authorities. You can obtain your personal identity number from the local City Administrative Court in about one week after you register. A foreigner residing in Finland for a short time only may also obtain a personal identity number if he needs it for his work, for example. However, no ioMunicipality of Residencell is registered for him in Finland and therefore, he does not necessarily have the same rights as foreigners who reside in Finland
permanently.
http://www.kela.fi/english/index.html
http://www.vaestorekisterikeskus.fi/indexen.htm
http://www.mol.fi/migration/

9.3 NOTIFYING THE POST OFFICE OF MOVING
Even if you are not required to register, it is recommended that you submit a notification of moving (muuttoilmoitus) to the post office if you move during your stay in Joensuu. A notification of moving should be submitted as soon as possible to ensure the correct delivery of your mail. Further information and the required forms are available at the Joensuun Elli Student Housing Office and at the post offices in Joensuu. A new notification should always be submitted when changing accommodation and also when returning home at the end of the exchange period.

9.4 WORK PERMIT
Foreigners must have work permits if they intend to engage in gainful employment while in Finland. There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. Citizens of the Nordic countries, i.e. Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland, or citizens of EU/EEA countries do not need a work permit. Finnish missions, the Directorate of Immigration and the local police are the
authorities who may issue a work permit. Additional information about work permits and applications is available on a special information sheet published by the Directorate of Immigration, called Work permit for Finland http://www.uvi.fi/pdf/tyol_en.pdf ) [pdf], and on the home page of the policehttp://www.poliisi.fi/english/index.html.
According to international agreements, international students are allowed to work in Finland without a work permit for a maximum of 20 hours per week during academic terms and full-time during holidays.

9.5 TAXATION
Persons residing in Finland for less than 6 months must pay a final 35 % tax-at-source on their income. The amount of salary does not affect the tax rate. Apart from the tax, the employer is also required to deduct an employment pension contribution and an unemployment insurance contribution. The income earned by persons who have been residing in Finland for more than 6 months are taxed at the same rate as permanent residents. The employee must obtain a ibtax cardln from a tax office for tax withholding. The tax card should
then be given to the employer. To obtain a tax card, you should give the tax office the required application form with your name, address, personal identity number and a reasonable estimate of your income during the calendar year. They will calculate the tax percentage based on this estimation, which will then be recorded on your tax card. Usually you will get the card on the same day you apply for it, but if there are many applications then it may take a bit longer. Taxation also depends on the tax agreements ratified between Finland and your
country. It may be that you are eligible for a deduction on some basis. Detailed information about the regulations is available at http://www.vero.fi/english/taxguide/studentswork.html. The local tax office should also be able to provide you with that information: Joensuun Verotoimisto (Joensuu Tax Office), Torikatu 36 A, tel. 253 8111 (exchange), 020 466 016 (international affairs).

9.6 CUSTOMS OFFICE IN JOENSUU (JOENSUUN TULLI)
You may have to collect parcels received from abroad at the customs office.
Please, become acquainted with Finnish Customs information available on the Internet.
Kauppakatu 40, tel. 1411 (switchboard), open Mon-Fri 8:00 - 16:15
http://www.tulli.fi/esite/english/index.html