Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining a Finland Visa

February 10, 2023 Claudia Jeff Immigration Guide 0

Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining a Finland Visa Finland is a complex and exciting story that spans thousands of years. Archaeological evidence suggests that Finland has been inhabited since the Ice Age, around 8,000 BC. During the Iron Age, from 500 BC to 1300 AD, Finnish society was primarily agricultural, with a hierarchical social structure and strong trading relationships with other cultures in Europe and Asia. In the Middle Ages, the Swedish Empire gained control over Finland, which lasted until the early 19th century when Finland became an autonomous Grand Duchy within the Russian Empire. During this time, Finland experienced rapid industrialization and economic growth, which led to a movement for independence and national identity. In 1917, Finland declared independence from Russia, becoming a democratic republic. During World War II, Finland fought against the Soviet Union twice, first in the Winter War of 1939-1940 and then in the Continuation War of 1941-1944. After the war, Finland had to pay significant war reparations to the Soviet Union and was forced to pursue a policy of neutrality. In the post-war period, Finland experienced rapid economic growth and became one of the world’s wealthiest countries. The country joined the European Union in 1995 and has since become a leader in many areas, including technology, design, and environmental protection. Finland is a prosperous and stable country with a high standard of living and a rich cultural heritage. The government is known for its beautiful landscapes, innovative technology, and strong commitment to social justice and equality. The history of Finland is a story of resilience, progress, and determination, and its people are proud of their unique cultural heritage and place in the world.

Finland Entry Conditions

Due to the Schengen common travel area, any EU citizen with a valid passport or travel document can go to Finland. Step-by-Step Guide to Obtaining a Finland Visa The passport requirement does not apply to citizens of the Nordic nations, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland. They may enter Finland with simply a valid ID. Passengers from outside the EU who want to visit Finland must show certain documents at the port of entry. These are the documents A valid passport or travel document. Suitable for at least three more months beyond their intended departure date from Schengen and issued during the previous ten years.

A visa if they fall under Finland’s visa rules.

  • You may also need to show extra paperwork, like a letter of invitation from a Finnish host, Proof that you have a place to stay, or a round-trip ticket. 
  • In addition to these documents, the Finnish border officer may ask you the following questions about your journey to Finland:
  • Who Is Required to Have a Schengen Visa to Enter Finland?
  • All citizens of EU/EEA member states have visa-free access to Finland and the whole Schengen Area. However, certain groups of foreign nationals are required to obtain a visa before entering Finland.
  • You are a citizen of a third-world nation that has not reached a visa-free travel agreement with the Schengen states.
  • You are a citizen of a third-world nation that has signed a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen nations. Still, you were previously denied visa-free entry to Finland or any other Schengen country.

What kind of visa is required to enter Finland

Before beginning the application process for a visa to Finland, you must choose the type of visa you require. The sort of visa you must apply for depends on your reason for entering Finland.

The following are the Schengen visa types for Finland for stays of up to 90 days within six months:

  • For tourists who must land in one of Finland’s airports to board a flight to a non-Schengen / non-EU destination country, a Finland Airport Transit Visa is required.
  • For tourists who must depart in one of Finland’s ports to board a ship bound for a non-Schengen / non-EU destination country, a Finland Transit Visa is required.
  • The Finland Tourist Visa is for foreign nationals who intend to visit Finland for tourism, exploration, or vacation.
  • Visa for Visiting Friends and Family in Finland For nationals of third-world countries who have relatives or acquaintances living in Finland and desire to visit them.
  • Travelers who need to participate in business operations in Finland must get a Finland Business Visa.
  • Finland Visa for Official Visits For foreign visitors on official business in Finland.
  • The Finland Medical Visa is for non-Finnish citizens seeking medical treatment in Finland.
  • Visa Required to Study in Finland. For students who intend to participate in the course of study, training, or internship in Finland.
  • Finland Visas for Film, Cultural, and Sports Crews. For people who intend to attend a cultural or sporting event planned in Finland, as well as members of a film team traveling to Finland.
  • Please note that these visas allowed stays of up to 90 days in Finland during 180 days. If you need a permit for a more extended stay in Finland, you should instead apply for a Finland National Visa.

What Documents Are Required to Apply for a Finland Schengen Visa?

The following are the mandatory Finland visa requirements for stays up to 90 days:

  • Visa application for Finland Complete the form by providing answers to all questions, then print and sign it.
  • Two photographs for passports. The images must be comparable and adhere to the Finland Schengen visa application’s photo standards.
  • Your valid passport. Which must satisfy the requirements established by Schengen member states. Verify that your access has at least two blank visa pages and was issued within the past ten years. Additionally, it must be valid for at least three months beyond the day you want to depart Finland and the Schengen area.
  • Copies of all of your prior visas (if applicable)
  • Travel Health Insurance for Finland This covers any medical crisis requiring at least €30,000 in Finland and the entire Schengen area.
  • Circular Flight Itinerary A flight reservation comprising the dates of your entry and exit from Finland, flight numbers, and personal information.
  • Accommodation documentation. 
  • This indicates where you will be staying while in Finland. I.e., a hotel booking.
  • Evidence of civil status This could be: Affricate, a child’s birth certificate, a spouse’s death certificate, etc.
  • Evidence of sufficient financial resources for the duration of the stay in Finland. You must demonstrate to the Finnish Embassy or Consulate that you have at least 30 euros daily for your planned visit to Finland.
  • A cover letter. Include your reason for requesting a visa to Finland and other pertinent information on your trip in this letter.

Your Employment-Related Finland Visa Requirements

  • The following are the additional Finland visa requirements based on your occupation:
  • When employed,
  • Employment contract
  • Recent bank statements over the previous six months
  • Leave authorization from the employer’s ITR form or ITR form.
  • If you are self-employed, provide Proof of your company’s license to conduct business Six-month bank statement for the company’s Income Tax Return (ITR)
  • Evidence of enrollment
  • Certificate of no objection from a school or university
  • Advertisements
  • When retired:
  • Pension statement from the previous six months
  • If relevant:
  • Proof of steady revenue earned by the property over the past six months >> No Objection Certificate from the school
  • Additional Requirements for Minors’ Finland Visas
  • Minors seeking a short-stay visa to Finland, as well as parents seeking a ticket for their minor child, must include the following Finland Visa Requirements in their application file:
  • Certificate of birth for the youngster traveling to Finland
  • Finland application form with both parents’ signatures.
  • Family court directive. In situations where one parent has sole custody of the child.
  • If the minor is traveling alone or with someone else:
  • Original copy of the passport page with the holder’s information, expiration date, current photograph, and visa copy.
  • A notarized parental authorization to go to Finland, signed by both parents or guardians. *Note: When applying at the Finland embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country, the parent or guardian must accompany the minor.
  • Additional Requirements Depending on the Reason for Entry to Finland
  • Depending on your reason for entering Finland, you may be required to produce additional documentation. The other Finland visa requirements, depending on your basis for visiting Finland, are detailed below.
  • Documents Required for a Finland Airport Transit Schengen Visa
  • When applying for a Finland Airport Transit visa, the following supplementary documents are required:
  • A valid passport (if needed) for the final destination of your trip.
  • The flight ticket for the final destination of your journey.
  • Documents Required for a Schengen Transit Visa to Finland

When applying for a Finland transit visa, the following supplementary documents are required:

  • Letter of invitation from the Finnish company you will be visiting, including the company’s full address and the dates of your visit.
  • A dispatch letter from your employer. It would help if you described your motivations for visiting Finland in your letter.
  • Bank statement for a business. Ideally, over the last six months.
  • Association’s Memorandum and Articles. If registered with joint stock corporations, it must be supplied in an original certified copy (written with mutual stock companies).
  • (First issued and ongoing renewal) Trade License (first published and current renewal).
  • Evidence of trip funding.
  • No objection letter from the school where you are currently enrolled, if applicable (if applicable).
  • Internship contract. A contract has been signed between the Finnish company, the trainee’s original institution, and the latter.
  • documents needed to obtain a medical Schengen visa for Finland
  • The following additional documents must be provided when applying for a permit to Finland to receive medical treatment:
  • Local medical information. A physician, clinic issue, or hospital in your native nation attesting to your need for medical care in Finland.
  • A medical attestation from a hospital or physician in Finland verifies your appointment date and medical condition. Additionally, it should imply that the hospital can provide proper medical care and that you will be treated fairly.

Evidence of the agreement’s financial terms.

The receiving medical facility’s (hospital or clinic) official confirmation of the treatment or appointment in Documents Needed for a Finland Schengen Visa for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew, or Religious Purposes You must submit the following additional documents when applying for a Finland visa to participate in a cultural, sporting, or religious event in Finland

Choose the correct visa category for Finland entry.

  • Determine the location for the visa application for Finland.
  • Fill out the short-stay visa application form for Finland.
  • Obtain the legally required Finland visa information.
  • Schedule a visa interview.
  • Participate in the discussion at the Finland embassy, consulate, or VAC.

Where Can I Apply for a Short-Stay Visa for Finland

You may need to apply for one of the following Finnish diplomatic missions in your country of residence, depending on how Finnish authorities have handled visa submission in your country of residence. However, you can travel to more countries besides Finland. In that case, you should only apply for a short-stay visa at a Finland Embassy, Consulate, or VAC if one of the following circumstances applies to you.

A foreign national currently uses a government-issued temporary or permanent residence permit. The time it takes to obtain a Finland visa A short-stay visa for Finland may require up to 15 days for processing. When Finland is represented in the country by another Schengen state or during busy times when the Finnish embassy is processing several applications, this time frame may be increased to 30 days.

However, unusual situations could take up to 60 days because the Finland embassies might need to speak with other Schengen consulates.

To ensure your application is processed in time for your flight to Finland, submit your application as soon as possible, but at least three months beforehand.

How Much Does a Finland Visa Application Cost

  • Finland’s Schengen Visa costs are as follows:
  • Adults pay €80, while kids under 12 pay €40.
  • Children under the age of 6 are admitted free of charge.
  • However, some candidates are not required to pay the fee, while others only have to pay a small amount.

How long can we remain without a visa in Finland

If you are a citizen of an EU or EEA country, you may enter and stay in Finland without a visa for as long as you like. If you intend to stay here for more than three months, you must still register with the local authorities.

Suppose you are a national of Australia, Israel, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of South Korea, and the United States of America. In that case, you can also enter Finland and remain there for as long as you desire. If you are a national of any other Finland visa-exempt nation, you can stay in Finland and the other Schengen countries for up to 90 days during six months. For lengthier stays, you need to obtain a long-stay visa to Finland. Suppose you are a national of any country that still needs to sign a visa-free agreement with Finland and the other Schengen members. You must obtain a visa before going to Finland or another Schengen member country.

Final words

Getting a Finland visa can be straightforward if you have all the required documents and meet the eligibility criteria. Finland is part of the Schengen Area, meaning you can enter Finland without needing a separate ticket if you have a visa for one of the Schengen countries.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get a Finland visa:

Determine your visa type: Finland offers various kinds of visas, including tourist visas, business visas, student visas, and work visas. Determine which type of visa you need based on your purpose of visit.

Check eligibility: Before applying for a visa, check if you meet the eligibility criteria. 

Gather required documents: You will need to submit a range of documents with your visa application, including a completed visa application form, a passport-sized photo, your passport, Proof of travel and health insurance, Proof of sufficient financial means, and any other documents specific to your visa type. Pay the visa fee: Finland visa fees vary based on the type of visa you are applying for. The price must be paid at the time of application and is non-refundable. Apply: You can submit your visa application online or at a Finnish embassy or consulate in your home country. Be sure to submit your application well before your planned trip to allow time for processing. Wait for a decision: The processing time for a Finland visa can take up to 15 working days, so be patient. You can check the status of your visa application online or by contacting the embassy.