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Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Finland?
Finland is listed among the Schengen zone of the EU, in which states have jointly agreed their visa requirements towards third country nationals. However, each state may enforce specific regulations concerning the travel documents it asks from citizens of different countries. You can find online the extensive list of travel documents detailed for foreigners.
Finland Visa Types
There are different visa types including single-entry, double-entry, multiple-entry and airport transit visas that enable holders to enter Finland for stays up to 90 days in periods of 180 days. Single-entry visa grants one time entrance whereas double-entry visa holders may travel twice in designated times. On the other hand, multiple-entry visa allows for consecutive visits not exceeding the time constraints.
What is Schengen Visa?
Schengen visa allows its holder to move freely within the Schengen area for a short period. The Schengen area comprises of 26 European countries, namely the Schengen States, among which border controls are abolished. Therefore, passengers who wish to travel in the Schengen area either for business-related or touristic visits are obliged to obtain Schengen visa for stays up to 90 days within a period of 180 days. The complete list of Schengen States include Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Finland Category C visa- For Short Stay Visits
Finland Schengen Visa Types:
- Finland Airport Transit Visa: enables the transit at the airport for connected flights. It is valid only for the international zones. Citizens from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka are requested Finland airport transit visa.
- Finland Business Visa: is applicable to those who would like to apply for the Schengen visa with the purpose of doing business in the Schengen area. It is usually valid for stays up to 90 days.
- Finland Tourist Visa: is granted to third country citizens who seek to visit the Schengen states for entertainment and for stays not exceeding 90 days.
- Finland Visitor Visa: is required for the third country citizens who would like to travel to the Schengen area in order to visit family members, relatives or friends. In this case, a letter of invitation by the person you’ll be visiting is mandatory. Visitor visa is valid for 90 days within 6 months.
- Finland Cultural Visa: is obtained for short term cultural visits allowing the holder to attend culture, sports and religion events. The terms of stay are restricted to 90 days within 6 months period.
- Finland Medical Treatment Visa: enables the holder to receive medical treatment for healthcare reasons in one of the Schengen states and for stays up to 90 days.
Finland Category D visa- For Long Stay Visits
- Finland Student Visa: is granted to third country citizens who seek to stay in Finland for study purposes. Admission to a study program is among the prerequisites for applying a student visa. Holders of this type of visa are entitled to apply for residence permit for stays exceeding 90 days.
- Finland Employment Visa: is granted to non-EU citizens who fulfill the specific conditions to be eligible for working in Finland. An employment contract or binding offer is essential for the processing your application.
- Finland Seasonal Work Visa: is required for seasonal work permit although it does not entail a residence permit itself. It enables the holder to stay in Finland for up top 90 days.
- Finland Family Reunion Visa: is the type of visa that can be obtained by Finnish residents’ family members who would like to visit Finland.
- Finland Researcher Visa: refers to guest scientist or visiting scholar visas granted to non-EU citizens who wish to engage in research activities in an established research institution for a designated time.
- Finland Freelancer Visa: is granted to third country nationals who seek to go to Finland and work as a freelancer. Portfolio including previous works, professional authorization, evidence of a freelance plan and letters of commitments from future customers are among the key documents to apply for a freelancer visa.
- Finland Language Course Visa: is an educational visa given to non-EU citizens who intend to enroll in a language course for a period of 3-12 months. Confirmed registration to the course along with other documents is required to obtain this type of visa.
- Finland Student Internship Visa: are requested from third country citizens who would like to do an internship in Finland. Therefore, an approval letter from your prospective employer and permission to work are among the documents to attach to your application file.
- Finland Partnership Visa: spouse of a Finnish citizen holding his/her own country’s passport which does not have any bilateral visa free agreements with Finland are entitled to apply for an entry visa of such kind.
- Finland Work Permit Visa: shall be obtained by people who are eligible to work in Finland.
- Finland Relative Visa: relatives of a Finnish citizen may apply for an entry visa if they do not obtain EU/Schengen passport, residence permit or the passport of a country which has visa bilateral free agreements with Finland.
General Requirements to Apply for Finland Visa
Finland’s tourist visa requirements and application procedures are explained for specific categories below. In general, applicants must submit their applications comprising of the requested documents to the Diplomatic Mission or authorized visa application centers in due time. Please bear in mind that the necessary documents may differ depending on the term and purpose of your stay, hence the category of your visa.
Finland Visa Applications
- A passport with at minimum two blank pages and is valid for at least 90 days after the end of travel. Copy of the first page including personal data and previous Schengen visas if obtained.
- Completed and signed visa application form along with one color biometric photo that is not older than 6 months.
- Proof of travel with confirmed both-way tickets.
- Bank account details proving that the passenger can sufficiently fund his/her travel.
- Evidence of occupation in the form of certified documents through employer letter, student certificate, document of registration or demonstration of pension funds.
- Accommodation details through an invitation letter or proof of your hotel reservation throughout your stay.
- Documentation of travel health insurance that will cover up to 30.000 euros throughout the period of travel and is valid within the entire Schengen area.
There are specific documents to attach to your application dossier depending on your status of employment.
Employed:
- Employment contract (original certificate of employment indicating the position in the company and the salary)
- Bank account statement of the past 6 months
- Approval letter of leave from employer
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
Self-employed:
- Proof of business license (company registration)
- Company’s bank account statement of the past 6 months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
Student:
- Documentation of University enrollment
- No-objection certificate from school management
Retired:
- Pension statement documenting the past 6 months
Unemployed:
- Proof of financial resources is nevertheless required
- If the person is not able to finance his/her own expenses, proof of a sponsor is mandatory.
What is Visa Sponsorship for Finland?
Students or unemployed/retired people who are not in a position to cover their own travel expenses will need to demonstrate support from a sponsor who will borne the full costs. The sponsor is entitled to certain requirements. Hence, only first grade relatives can fulfill this position. You can check our website for all the relevant details.
Finland Visa Rules
- A minimum of 30 Euro per day must be proved for demonstration of the sufficient financial assets to meet the travel expenses in order obtain entry visa to Finland.
- As a rule, applicants shall personally submit their visa applications in due time, with all the necessary documents, at the Finnish Diplomatic Mission authorized in their place of residence.
- Your passport must have at least two blank pages left, and it shouldn’t be older than 10 years.
- It is generally required to have a passport valid for a minimum of 3 months after the expected date of departure from the Schengen area.
Finland Visa Requirements
In addition to above mentioned application documents, general requirements include:
Finland Visa requirements for Non-Europeans
- The general requirements for non-Europeans wishing to enter the EU conform to above mentioned procedures. In case of an invitation supporting your application, contact details of the host organisation or private host such as name, address, relation to the guest, purpose and length of visit shall be included in the application. However a formal invitation does not secure positive result of the application.
Finland visa for European countries
Citizens of European countries can benefit from visa-free travel opportunities within the borders of the European Union.
Finland Visa requirement for US, UK, and Canadian citizens
- US citizens holding US passports valid for at least 3 months from intended return date from Finland are not obliged to obtain a visa for touristic or business purposes as well as airport transits for stays up to 90 days.
- UK is not included in the Schengen area. Moreover, the UK citizens won’t have the right to freedom of movement in the European Union since the UK officially leaves the EU as of 31 January 2020. The details will be formalized following a possible post-Brexit transition period.
- Canadian citizens are not obliged to get a visa to travel to Schengen countries for stays up to 90 days within a period of 180 days.
Finland Visa Fees
You can find below fixed fees for different types of Finland visas determined by authorities as of March 2020. The visa fees include consultation, submission and processing of your application. However, please keep in mind that under specific conditions some applicants may be exempt from visa fees or benefit from reduced prices. The visa fee is non-refundable, thus in the case of rejection of your application reimbursements are not available.
| Short-Stay Visa (Adults) | 80€ |
| National Visa | 75€ |
| Airport Transit Visa | 80€ |
| Children Between 6-11 Years of Age | 40€ |
| Children Younger Than 6 Years of Age | Free of Charge |
| Nationals of Countries which signed the Visa Fee Facilitation Agreement | 35€ |
NOTE: This article was prepared in March 2020. Please check up-to-date information published by official sources.
