Finland Visa – Application, Types, Requirements and exemptions
Every traveler going to Finland needs a visa. What are your plans for your trip to Finland? To promote tourism? To see family and friends or to further your education? Then you may apply for a Finland visa.
If you need to enter Finland lawfully, you should find out if you need a visa. Unless you are from one of the nations listed on this page, you will require a visa.
Finland is a Nordic country located in Northern Europe. It has a population of about five million people and an area of about 219,000 square kilometers.
The country is the largest and most sparsely populated country in the European Union.
In this guide, you will learn about the types of Finland visas, the necessary paperwork to apply for the visa, and the steps to apply for one.
What is a Finland visa?
A Finland visa is a document that allows a person to enter Finland and stay for a certain amount of time. The visa can be obtained from a Finnish embassy or consulate.
Finland is a Schengen region country, and visa-free travel is allowed for citizens of the following countries such as Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, and Denmark.
Others include Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, and Luxembourg, among others.
Types of Finland Visas
Several visas allow foreigners to enter Finland for a variety of reasons. Each type of visa has a distinct validity duration.
The following visas are available to foreigners wishing to visit Finland.
#1. Finland tourist visa
A Finland tourist visa is a short-term visa that allows international visitors to enter the country for a specified time.
It has a maximum validity duration of ninety days, making it suitable for short-term stays such as tourism, business, and medical care.
You can also view our guide on what a Finland tourist visa is and how to apply for one.
#2. Long-term visa to Finland
If you want to stay for more than 90 days, you must apply for a long-term visa. The following are categories of long-term visas:
- Finland Student visa
- Finland Family visa
- Finland Work visa.
#3. Finland Transit visa
A Finland transit visa is a sort of visa that permits individuals to transit through an airport in Finland. It allows the individual to stay in the country for up to three months.
Transit visas are provided to tourists, business travelers, and athletes traveling to or from countries that do not have an official bilateral treaty with country.
However, to be eligible for a transit visa to Finland, you must have certain papers, including a valid passport, a visa, and a flight ticket to the target country.
#4. Finland Seamen visa
The Finland Seamen Visa permits seamen to enter the country for a maximum stay of fifteen days.
Furthermore, Sailors can get this type of visa from any Finnish embassy or consulate.
Candidates must also satisfy specific criteria, such as holding a valid passport and demonstrating that they are sailors.
#5. Finland Seasonal work visa
The Finnish Seasonal Work Visa allows foreigners to work in the country during specific seasons. The visa is valid for six months and can be extended for another six months.
More so, the visa allows foreigners to work seasonal jobs in the country.
The jobs that are available with the Finnish Seasonal Work Visa are seasonal jobs, such as tourism, agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting.
Finland visa exemptions
Finland offers a variety of visa exemptions for citizens from certain countries. They include:
- Residents of the Schengen nations or the European Union. Examples include Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, etc.
- International countries that have a visa or bilateral agreement with the country. They include Japan, South Korea, and the United States.
Most importantly, travelers who can enter Finland without a visa can stay there for three months.
visa application requirements
Here are the conditions for foreign nationals seeking lawful entrance into the country.
1. Finland visa application form: Download and complete a Finland visa application form online.
Make sure to fill all of the fields in the form. Then, if the question does not apply to you or you do not have a response, type N/A.
Furthermore, your passport must be valid for at least three months following your return from Finland.
3. Schengen health insurance: Without a doubt, it is necessary to acquire health insurance coverage worth at least €30,000 to cover medical emergencies related to your trip to Finland.
4. Evidence of sufficient financial resources: Evidence of adequate financial resources indicates that the person has the means to cover their basic needs without any provision from the government.
The individual can show proof by providing a statement of account.
5. Invitation letter: This document is necessary if a friend or family member has invited you as a visitor.
Hence, the invitation includes vital information about your host and yourself, including your date of birth, name, address, and relationship with the person.
6. Travel itinerary: You may also be required to give a thorough travel plan, which includes your departure date, return date, and other pertinent information concerning your visit.
7. Proof of a legal stay: You must also supply documentation demonstrating that you are a lawful citizen of your country of residence. You can do this by submitting a National Identity Card.
Minors must receive approval from a parent or guardian to travel independently (if the minor is traveling unaccompanied).
How to apply for a Finland visa
The following are the basic processes for applying for and receiving your Finland visa:
Step 1: Check to see whether you are eligible to apply for a Finland visa
According to Schengen Region visa rules, one of the requirements for granting a Schengen visa is that the individual must exit the Schengen area before the visa expires.
As a result, they will not issue this visa to someone who has gone to Finland for a residence permit or is awaiting a decision on a residence permit application.
You will, however, review the qualifying conditions to determine your position for the application for a Schengen visa.
Step 2: Complete the Schengen visa application form
The second step is to go online, download and complete the application form. You can do this on the Finland Ministry of Affairs website.
Alternatively, the appropriate application form can be identified if you search through job websites and educational institutions.
Step 3: Attach any essential paperwork
At this stage, you must attach your supporting documents to your Finland application form.
However, if you need to travel to Finland for business or to further your education, you might need additional documents such as academic credentials, business registration certificate, etc.
Most importantly, applicants must note that the required paperwork may vary depending on the embassy or consulates in their country of residence.
Step 4: Make your payment for the visa.
You will be required to make your visa payment and your application.
All applicants need to be informed that the processing fee payment is nonrefundable even if they cancel the application or receive an adverse decision regarding the application.
Step 5: Check your visa status
You can check your current processing status on the country’s website.
Meanwhile, you may be required to provide further information, and the embassy or consulate may schedule an interview for you, which you must attend.
Processing your application, on the other hand, takes time. You must be patient.
Step 6: Prepare for your journey to travel.
Once your request for a visa is successful, it will be sent to you via email.
If otherwise, it may be that you do not possess enough of the required documents, and you will not receive your visa to travel to Finland.
Once you follow all the steps above, you will successfully apply and receive a response within a limited time.
Frequently Asked Question
How much is the Finland visa fee?
Finland is one of the Schengen Area countries. Therefore, citizens of the European Union and other Schengen Area countries do not need a visa to visit the country for up to ninety days.
However, citizens of non-EU countries must obtain a visa in advance. The visa fee for a single entry visa is €60. For a multiple entry visa, the fee is €120.
Can I stay in Finland while on a Schengen visa?
If you are a citizen of a Schengen country and have a valid visa, you can stay in the country while your visa is valid.
However, if your visa has expired or is not valid for longer than three months, you will need to leave the country.
You might be subjected to criminal penalties if you stay beyond the three-month limit.
How long does it take to process a visa to Finland?
You must obtain a visa if you are a foreigner wishing to travel to Finland. The visa application process can vary depending on your nationality and the country you are visiting,
In general, it will take fifteen to twenty days to process.
Make sure to apply well in advance if you plan to travel during peak travel season, as processing times can increase significantly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a Finland visa is an important document that allows foreigners to enter, stay, or transit through the Schengen Area.
There are different types of visas depending on the purpose of travel and specific requirements and exemptions you must meet to be eligible.
For more information on how to apply for a Finland visa, please visit the website of the Finnish Embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
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