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3 ways to enter

Åland Islands visas

Åland Islands student visa

Short educational visits can use a Schengen visa with no application fee. Longer study usually needs a long-stay visa or residence permit. Some school groups qualify for visa-free travel.

Ways to get a Åland Islands student visa

  1. Short-stay visa for education

    Visa needed

    Travellers who need a visa and are visiting for study or educational training can apply without paying the visa application fee.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries under the general Schengen rules.
    Fee
    No visa application fee. An external application service may charge a separate fee.
    Processing
    Within 15 calendar days for an accepted application with no issues.
    1. Apply to the embassy or consulate of your main destination no more than six months before entry.
    2. Provide the relevant educational supporting documents.
    3. Attend in person for a first application and provide biometrics if required.

  2. Visa-free school group trip

    No visa needed

    School pupils who are not European single-market citizens but legally live there can qualify when travelling in a general-education school group with a teacher.

    Stay
    A short stay or transit.
    1. Travel as part of a group from a general-education school, accompanied by a teacher.
    2. Have the teacher carry a List of Travellers form identifying the pupils and explaining the trip.
    3. Carry a valid travel document unless the endorsed group form meets the document exemption.

  3. Long-stay study visa or residence permit

    Other permit

    Students from outside the European single market generally need long-stay permission when staying more than 90 days.

    Stay
    A long-stay visa generally covers less than one year. A residence permit is used for longer periods.

Who needs it

Students who need a short-stay visa must apply. Visitors from outside the European single market generally need a long-stay visa or residence permit for stays exceeding 90 days.

Who doesn't

Qualifying school groups legally resident in the European single market can enter without a visa. European single-market citizens have free movement rights.

How to apply

  1. For a short educational visit requiring a visa, apply through the embassy or consulate of your main destination.
  2. Submit the relevant supporting documents even when the visa application fee is waived.
  3. For longer study, follow the destination country's long-stay visa or residence permit procedure.

What to bring

  • Travel document.
  • Relevant supporting documents for study or educational training.

Good to know

  • A fee waiver does not remove the need to apply or provide supporting documents.
  • Long-stay procedures and conditions depend on the destination country.
  • Some long-stay study procedures are shared across issuing countries.
  • The school-group exemption has specific teacher and group-document requirements.

Questions

Do I need a student visa for Åland Islands?

Students who need a short-stay visa must apply. Visitors from outside the European single market generally need a long-stay visa or residence permit for stays exceeding 90 days. Qualifying school groups legally resident in the European single market can enter without a visa. European single-market citizens have free movement rights.

What are the ways to get a student visa for Åland Islands?

There are 3 options: Short-stay visa for education (a visa from an embassy); Visa-free school group trip (no visa at all); Long-stay study visa or residence permit (a special permit).

Who can go to Åland Islands without a student visa?

School pupils who are not European single-market citizens but legally live there can qualify when travelling in a general-education school group with a teacher.

How long can I stay on a Åland Islands student visa?

Short visits: up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Longer study requires the appropriate long-stay permission.

How much does a Åland Islands student visa cost?

No Schengen visa application fee for study or educational training. Long-stay fees are not specified.

How long does a Åland Islands student visa take?

Short-stay applications: within 15 calendar days if accepted and there are no issues. Long-stay timing is not specified.

What documents do I need for a Åland Islands student visa?

Travel document.; Relevant supporting documents for study or educational training..

How do I apply for a Åland Islands student visa?

1. 1. For a short educational visit requiring a visa, apply through the embassy or consulate of your main destination. 2. 2. Submit the relevant supporting documents even when the visa application fee is waived. 3. 3. For longer study, follow the destination country's long-stay visa or residence permit procedure.

What rules do I have to follow on a Åland Islands student visa?

A fee waiver does not remove the need to apply or provide supporting documents. Long-stay procedures and conditions depend on the destination country.

Does my passport change whether I need a student visa for Åland Islands?

Yes. Rules depend on the country that issued your passport. Open the Åland Islands visa page and choose your passport for a plain answer.

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