A Finland visa is a short-term permit that allows its holder to enter and stay in Finland for a fixed amount of time.
Finland is situated in the Northern part of Europe, surrounded by Russia, Sweden, Norway, and the Baltic Sea. In 1996, it officially became a part of the Schengen Area alongside 28 other European countries.
The Schengen countries have abolished their borders, which means that their residents can travel visa-free across the area. However, residents from countries without a visa agreement will need a Schengen visa to visit Finland.
Types of Finland Visas
There are several types of Finland visas depending on your visit purpose.
- Tourist Visa. This is a typical tourist visa that is issued to individuals who wish to visit and explore Finland as a tourist. It’s valid for three months within a period of six months.
- A Finland short stay visa can also be issued for other purposes, such as business or medical treatment.
- Long-term Visa to Finland. You will need to apply for a long-term visa if you are planning on staying for more than 90 days. The long-term visa types are:
- Transit Visa. This is a type of visa that is only issued when you pass through Finland as a transit zone. This means that during your travel you will stop in Finland while waiting for your connecting flight to your final destination. Some travelers are not allowed to wait in the transit zone without a visa.
- Seamen Visa. A seamen visa is a type of transit visa that is usually valid for 15 days and it’s issued to third-country nationals who need to travel through Finland’s trade port, either to join a new vessel or switch ships or to disembark in case of emergencies.
- Seasonal Work Visa. Generally speaking, for work you need a long-term visa but for seasonal work, a 90 days permit is granted.
*Please note that no matter what the reason for visiting, a Schengen visa is a short-term visa, valid only for 90 days.
How to Apply for a Finland Visa?
You need to follow these steps when applying for a Schengen Visa:
Step 1: Find your local Finnish mission
Find your local Finnish mission. Local embassies/consulates issue visas for third-country nationals. So, make sure you find your nearest official authority in order to apply for your visa.
Step 2: Fill in your visa application form
This form is vital for your application so make sure you get the form ready as soon as you can.
Step 3: Prepare your documents
Make sure all your required documents are ready for submission. This means you need to translate any document that is not in Finnish, Swedish or English, and legalize it with an apostille stamp if required.
Step 4: Make an appointment
You need to make an appointment with the embassy in order to hand over your application. Please remember that you need to submit the documents personally.
Step 5: Submit all your documents
Once you gather all the required documents you can lodge your application with the representative authority on the day of your appointment.
Step 6: Prepare for an interview
You probably will be asked to sit down for an interview at the embassy. The aim of the interview is to get a better view of your reason for wanting to visit Finland.
Finland Visa Fees
Visa fees will depend mostly on your age and the type of visa:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Adults | €90 |
| Children between ages 6-11 | €45 |
| Children under the age of 6 | Free |
| Fast-tracked visa request | €70 |
The Finland visa fee for these countries is €35:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Cabo Verde
- Georgia
- North Macedonia
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Russia
- Serbia
- Ukraine
You also don’t have to pay a visa fee in cases where you hold a diplomatic passport, or when minors are travelling for educational purposes.
In some cases, you have to pay an extra fee of €10 for any type of forms you must obtain in cases where Finland won’t recognize your travel documents. Sometimes the charges for a visa may differ from country to country.
You should be aware that your visa fee is non-refundable in cases of rejection. The fee may be refunded only in some specific cases, such as if you applied for the wrong type of visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Apply for a Visa Online?
It depends on the embassy. Some embassies have already made electronic services available for online applications, while some require you to fill in the application in person. Please note that you still have to submit your documents in person no matter if you filled in the application online.
How Many Times Can I Apply for a Finland Schengen Visa?
As long as you don’t have a valid visa then you can apply for a Finland Schengen visa as many times as you need to.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Finland Visa?
It takes 15 days to process your application for a Finland visa. You can lodge your application at the embassy six months earlier if you wish, however, it’s always best to do so 15 days before you depart.
What Are the Reasons for Finnish Visa Application Denial?
A Finnish mission may reject your visa application for these reasons:
- Your travelling documents are expired or will expire for the duration of your stay.
- You did not state the reason for your visit to Finland.
- You lack the financial means to support yourself while in Finland.
- You are banned from returning to your country of origin.
- You are banned from entering the Schengen Area.
- The embassy suspects you will not return after your visa has expired.
How Long Can I Stay With a Finland Visa?
A Schengen Finland visa is valid for only three months within a six-month period. During this time you can visit other Schengen countries as well, but the time you spend in other countries will also count as part of your three-month permit.
Anyone who stays past their legal allotted time will be subjected to either; fines, travel bans or even detainment. If you’re not sure please check with the Schengen visa calculator.
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, but the extension is granted only in specific cases. Your request for an extension will be accepted if you are dealing with a force majeure (earthquake, an unexpected illness, a political situation in your home country, etc.), or you have serious personal reasons related to family matters.
If you wish to extend your visa only because you want to stay longer, with no strong reason, you won’t get an extension.
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, just remember that the days you spend in other countries are counted in your 90 days limit.