Required Documents
For Finland Visa
Passport/Travel Document:
- To enter Finland, it is required to have a current and valid passport that was issued no more than ten years ago. Additionally, the passport must remain valid for at least three months beyond the date of your planned departure from Finland.
Identity Picture:
- You need to take a recent identity picture.
The Finland Visa Application Form:
- To apply for your Schengen visa, it is necessary to download, print, and complete this form. Then, it should be attached to your documents.
Schengen Travel Insurance:
- All travelers visiting the Schengen Area are required to have travel insurance that covers medical expenses and emergencies, including accidents, sudden illnesses, and even death, up to €30,000. The insurance must be obtained before the trip and must be valid for the entire duration of the stay in the Schengen Area.
Invitation Letter:
- This document is necessary when you are invited to visit someone in the Schengen Area by a friend or family member. The invitation includes important details about both you and your host, such as your name, date of birth, address, relationship, and more.
Sufficient Financial Means:
- To apply for a Schengen visa, it is necessary to provide evidence that you have enough financial resources to cover the costs of your trip. Finland, in particular, requires a minimum of €30 per day to be able to finance your stay.
Evidence of a Place to Stay:
- Depending on the embassy, proof of accommodation may be required, so it’s important to provide documentation such as hotel bookings, rental agreements, or Airbnb reservations.
Travel Itinerary:
- Depending on the embassy, proof of accommodation may be required, so it’s important to provide documentation such as hotel bookings, rental agreements, or Airbnb reservations.
Copies of Previous Schengen Visas:
- You may be requested to submit copies of any previous visas you have been issued if it is relevant to your current visa application.
Cover Letter:
- you are required to provide a cover letter that includes your reasons for visiting Finland and the length of your stay.
Evidence of Legal Stay:
- Depending on the embassy, proof of accommodation may be required, so it’s important to provide documentation such as hotel bookings, rental agreements, or Airbnb reservations.
Evidence of Legal Stay:
- Proof of your legal citizenship in your present country of dwelling is also required.
For minors:
- Permission from a guardian to travel alone (if the minor is traveling unaccompanied).
- Permission from another legal guardian (if the minor is traveling with only one parent/ guardian).
- Birth certificate.
Any other required documents, depending on the specific visa.
Note:
The embassy has the right to ask for any additional documents.
Finland Visa
Application steps
Finland Tourist Visa
This is a standard type of visa issued to people who desire to visit and discover Finland as a tourist. It remains valid for a duration of three months, within a six-month period.
A short-stay visa for Finland can also be granted for other intentions, such as business or medical purposes.
2- Long-term Visa to Finland
In case you intend to stay in Finland for more than 90 days, it will be necessary to make an application for a long-term visa. The following are the types of long-term visas:
- Finland Family visa.
- Finland Student visa.
- Finland Work visa.
3- Finland Transit Visa
This visa type is exclusively granted for transit purposes when passing through Finland. It implies that during your journey, you will have a layover in Finland while waiting for your connecting flight to your ultimate destination. Certain travelers may not be permitted to wait in the transit zone without a visa.
4- Finland Seamen Visa
A seaman’s visa is a type of transit visa that is generally legitimate for 15 days. It is granted to foreign nationals who need to travel via Finland’s trade port, either to board a new ship, switch vessels, or disembark in case of emergencies.
5- Finland Seasonal Work Visa
In general, a long-term visa is required for work purposes. However, for seasonal work, a permit of 90 days is typically issued
Note:
A Schengen visa is a short-term visa, valid only for 90 days regardless of the reason for visiting,
How to Apply for a Finland Visa?
Follow these steps to apply for a Schengen Visa:
- Find your local Finnish mission: Visas for foreign nationals are granted by local embassies/consulates. Therefore, it is important to locate the nearest official authority to apply for your visa.
- Fill in your visa application form: The form is an essential component of your application, so it is important to prepare it as soon as possible.
- Prepare your documents: Ensure that you have all the necessary documents ready for submission. This involves translating any document that is not in Finnish, Swedish, or English, and getting it legalized with an apostille stamp if necessary.
- Make an appointment: It is necessary to schedule an appointment with the embassy to submit your application. Please bear in mind that you must present the documents in person.
- Submit all your documents: Once you have collected all the necessary documents, you can submit your application to the authorized representative on the day of your appointment.
- Prepare for an interview: You may be required to attend an interview at the embassy, where the purpose is to gain a better understanding of your motivation for visiting Finland.
Can I apply for a visa online?
The availability of electronic services for online applications varies by embassy. Some embassies have already introduced these services, while others still require you to fill out the application in person. Nonetheless, it’s important to note that you must submit your documents in person regardless of whether you completed the application online.
How many times can I apply for a Finland Schengen visa?
If you do not possess a valid visa, you can apply for a Finland Schengen visa as many times as necessary.
How Much Does a Finland Visa Cost?
Visa fees will depend mostly on your age and the type of visa:
- Schengen visa fees for adults: €80
- Schengen visa fees for children between ages 6-11: €40
- Schengen visa fees for children under the age of 6: free
- Schengen visa fees for a fast-tracked visa request: €70
The Finland visa fee for these countries is €35:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Cape Verde
- Georgia
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Russian Federation
- Serbia
- Ukraine
Visa fees are not applicable for individuals holding diplomatic passports or for minors traveling for educational purposes. However, in situations where Finland does not recognize your travel documents, you may have to pay an additional fee of €10 for any forms you need to obtain. Visa charges may also vary depending on the country.
It is important to note that visa fees are non-refundable in the event of rejection, except in certain circumstances, such as if you applied for the wrong type of visa.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Finland Visa?
The processing time for a Finland visa is typically 15 days. You may submit your application to the embassy up to six months in advance, but it is advisable to do so 15 days before your departure to allow ample time for processing.
What Are the Reasons for Finnish Visa Application Denial?
A Finnish mission may reject your visa application for these reasons:
- Your travel documents are expired or will expire while you are in the country.
- You have not clearly stated your reason for visiting.
- You do not have enough funds to support yourself during your stay.
- You are prohibited from returning to your home country or entering the Schengen Area.
- The embassy has concerns that you may not leave Finland when your visa expires.
What Can I Do in Case the Finnish Authorities Deny My Visa?
If your visa application is rejected, you have the option to appeal the decision. The instructions on how to appeal will be included in your rejection letter.
To challenge the decision, you have the option to file a request for review with the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, you must submit your request within 30 days of receiving the visa denial notice from the embassy, and it must be in either Finnish or Swedish. Additionally, you are required to pay a fee of €170 to process your appeal.
If you are not satisfied with the decision of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, you can submit another request for administrative review to the Helsinki Administrative Court. The fee for this request is €260. It’s important to note that you can only appeal on the grounds of legal errors or procedural errors made by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
You are free to apply for another visa even if your previous visa application was rejected.
How Long Can I Stay With a Finland Visa?
A Schengen visa issued by Finland is valid for a period of three months within a six-month time frame. This means that during this period, you can visit other Schengen countries as well, but the time you spend in those countries will also be included in the three-month validity of your visa.
It is important to comply with the duration of stay allowed by your Schengen Finland visa, as staying beyond the allowed period may result in penalties such as fines, travel bans, or even detention.
Can I live in Finland with a Schengen visa?
No, you can’t. In order to live in Finland, you need to apply for either a residence permit or citizenship.
Can I Extend a Finland Visa?
Yes, an extension of your Schengen Finland visa may be possible, but it is limited to certain circumstances such as force majeure events or serious personal reasons related to family matters. It is not guaranteed and will depend on your specific situation.
An extension of your visa will not be granted if you simply want to stay longer without any valid reason.
Can I Use My Visa to Travel to Another Country Other Than Finland?
Yes, a Finland visa is valid for any country in the Schengen Area. However, it is important to note that the 90-day limit applies to the total duration of stay in the Schengen Area, which means that the time spent in other countries also counts towards the limit.