Thousands of Pakistani students admitted to universities in Finland for the September 2026 intake are facing uncertainty due to ongoing visa-related travel and residence permit processing issues linked to Qatar.
With no Finnish embassy currently operating in Pakistan, students are required to travel to Doha for biometric verification and residence permit procedures. However, many students say the process has become increasingly difficult because of restrictions affecting entry into Qatar.
According to affected students, Qatar’s visa-on-arrival facility for Pakistanis is currently suspended, while approvals under the Hayya A1 system have reportedly remained pending for months. Students also claim that appointment slots for biometric processing are either unavailable or extremely limited.
The delays have placed the academic future of many students at risk, particularly those who have already paid tuition fees and secured accommodation in Finland ahead of the September semester.
Students say the uncertainty is causing financial, academic, and mental stress as they continue to wait for clarity regarding travel arrangements and residence permit processing.
Many are now urging the relevant Pakistani, Qatari, and Finnish authorities to intervene and facilitate a workable solution before the start of the academic term.
If the issue remains unresolved, thousands of Pakistani students may face difficulties joining Finnish universities on time for the upcoming academic session.
