Finland Temporarily Processes Student Residence Permits for Pakistanis in Doha

To assist Pakistani students facing challenges securing identification appointments in the UAE, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has announced that student residence permit applications will be temporarily accepted in Doha, Qatar, between July 9 and August 6, 2025.

VFS Doha to Handle Student Identification Appointments

Under the current regulations, Pakistani applicants are typically required to travel to VFS Global in Abu Dhabi for identification procedures. However, due to visa difficulties and appointment delays, VFS Doha will now process student residence permit applications during the specified window.

Students on the waiting list for VFS Abu Dhabi will be automatically transferred to VFS Doha and contacted directly by the Embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi.

Students Can Request a Change by July 11

Pakistani students who already have a confirmed appointment in Abu Dhabi but prefer to attend the session in Doha can request a change by contacting the Embassy before July 11. After this date, no new bookings for Doha will be accepted.

“Due to extremely high demand and limited availability, the offered appointment slots in Doha cannot be rescheduled,” the Embassy emphasized.

Key Points to Remember

• Appointment Dates: July 9 to August 6, 2025
• Change Requests Deadline: July 11, 2025
• Non-Reschedulable: Offered slots at VFS Doha are final
• Fee Payment: Applicants must pay the residence permit fee online before the appointment
• Permit Delivery: Residence permit cards will be sent to the Finnish Embassy in Abu Dhabi, which will notify students when they are ready for collection or delivery

This temporary measure aims to streamline student visa processing and ensure timely arrivals for the start of the academic year in Finland. Students who miss their slot in Doha will need to book a new appointment at VFS Abu Dhabi and attend in person.