Finland to Temporarily Process Residence Permits for Pakistani Students in Doha

In a move aimed at easing logistical challenges, Finland has announced it will temporarily process residence permit applications for Pakistani students in Doha, Qatar, instead of Abu Dhabi, UAE.

This adjustment is being made to assist students who are currently facing difficulties entering the United Arab Emirates for their mandatory identification procedures. According to Finnish authorities, the identification appointments will now be conducted at the VFS Global center in Doha between July 9 and August 6, 2025.

Under normal procedures, Pakistani students must travel to Abu Dhabi for identification. However, due to increasing difficulties and delays, the Embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi has initiated this temporary measure.

“To facilitate the swift identification process for Pakistani students facing issues entering the United Arab Emirates, the MFA of Finland accepts student residence permit applications at the VFS Doha, Qatar, during a limited period,” the embassy confirmed.

Students who are already on the waiting list at VFS Abu Dhabi have automatically been scheduled for appointments in Doha, and they will be directly contacted by the Embassy of Finland. Meanwhile, those who have an appointment at Abu Dhabi but wish to change it to Doha must contact the embassy no later than July 11.

However, the embassy has stressed that appointment slots at VFS Doha are limited and cannot be rescheduled. If an applicant is unable to attend their offered slot, they must arrange a new appointment in Abu Dhabi and travel there instead.

Additionally, students are required to pay the residence permit fee online before their appointment at VFS Doha to ensure a faster identification process.

Finally, residence permit cards will still be delivered to the Embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi, which will notify students once the permits are ready and provide delivery instructions.

Source: Schengen.News