Information for international students

This page provides important instructions for students who are moving to Finland to begin their studies in the field of social and health care at Riveria or Karelia University of Applied Sciences.

Please read the following information carefully and complete the required steps well in advance of your move.

Before You Arrive in Finland

We kindly ask you to complete and submit a health information inquiry at least two months prior to your arrival. This helps us prepare for your health care needs.

Steps to follow:

Vaccinations

Ensure your vaccinations meet the requirements of your field of study.

Obtain an English-language certificate of your vaccinations, signed by a health care professional.

Health Information Inquiry

Download and fill out the Health Information Inquiry for International Students: Health information inquiry (pdf)

Save the completed form on your device.

Secure Submission:

Send your personal information, the completed health information form, and its attachments through a secure email service.

Use electronic identification or respond to a secure email as instructed below.

Health Insurance:

Make sure you have valid health insurance covering medical expenses and accidents for the entire duration of your studies.

If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), separate insurance is not required.

For more information, visit the Finnish Immigration Services website: migri.fi/en/insurance.

Documentation:

Bring your insurance documents and vaccination certificates with you to Finland.

Alternatively, save digital copies on your device.

Sending the Form via Secure Email

If electronic identification is not possible, please follow these steps to send your information securely:

Send a regular email to internationalstudent.healthcare@siunsote.fi.

In the subject line, include the name of your educational institution and your field of study.

You will receive an automatic reply confirming receipt of your message.

A health care professional will then send you a secure email link.

Do not send any personal data before receiving this secure link.

Once you receive the secure email:

Reply to it, attaching:

A copy of your passport or official identity card.

Electronic copies of your vaccination records.

The completed health information form.

Example of the secure email message you will receive from Siun sote. Please wait for this message before sending any personal information.

Sending the Form Using Electronic Identification

In some European countries, you can verify your identity electronically. You can check the available identification methods for foreigners on the Suomi.fi website.

If electronic identification is available in your country, follow these steps to send your health information securely:

Open the secure email link: Student health care for international students.

Enter your email address in the Lähettäjä (Sender) field and select Jatka (Continue).

Select Tunnista (Authenticate) to start the identification process.

On the identification page, choose Identification methods for foreigners.

Select your country and complete the identification process using your personal banking ID, mobile ID, or identity card.

After successful identification, select Continue to service to open the secure email.

In the Subject (Aihe) field, enter the name of your educational institution and your field of study (e.g., Karelia, social and health care). This helps us direct your message correctly.

In the Message (Viesti) field, you may add your name or contact information.

Under Attachments (Liitetiedostot), attach the following documents:

Your completed health information form.

Copies of your vaccination records.

Copies of your health insurance card(s), both sides.

Once everything is attached, select Lähetä (Send) to submit your message.

You will receive confirmation that your message has been sent. Select Lopeta (Close) to exit the secure email service.

Privacy policy

Your personal and health data will be processed confidentially and in accordance with data protection regulations. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy Statement.

Privacy policy statement: Health information inquiry for international students (pdf)

After arriving in Finland

Once your studies have begun, you will receive an invitation to a health meeting if it is necessary. For more detailed instructions on booking an appointment, see this page: Student health care.

You might also be interested in

Studying in Finland (migri.fi)

European Health Insurance Card (kela.fi)

Studen Health Care in Finland (stm.fi)

Artikkeli Information for international students julkaistiin ensimmäisen kerran Siun sote.