Dear Recipient,
In this letter, you will find information about Schengen visas, the application process and travel
documents required for visiting Finland.
Schengen visas and the application process
A Schengen visa is meant for short stays in or transit through the Schengen area for a duration of no
more than 90 days in any 180-day period. A visa issued by one Schengen state is valid for travelling in
any Schengen state. You must apply for the visa from the country of your main destination.
If your country of destination is Finland, you should apply for a visa at the nearest Finnish mission or at a
visa centre that the mission advises you to. Honorary consuls cannot grant visas.
In countries where there are no Finnish missions, Finland may be represented by another Schengen
state. In such cases, we kindly advise you to lodge your visa application to the mission of that specific
Schengen state.
An application cannot be sent by e-mail or telefax. For visits that last longer than three months, a
residence permit is required. You may have to book an appointment before lodging the application.
We kindly ask you to contact the Finnish Embassy or the Schengen state representing Finland in visa
matters in the country where you would submit your application.
We kindly remind you to submit your application well in advance. You may submit an application no
more than six (6) months before the start of the intended visit. The processing time is approximately 15
days. However, the processing time may be longer if a more detailed examination of the application is
required. No advance decision on the visa application can be made. We encourage starting the visa
process as early as possible.
Schengen visa applications shall be reviewed according to the EU's Common Visa Code https://eur-
lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32009R0810. Each visa application shall be assessed
on a case-by-case basis, based on all available information.
Travel documents
To enter the Schengen area, you will need a valid passport or other official travel document accepted by
Finland. The travel document must be valid for at least ninety (90) days after your intended date of
departure from the Schengen area. The passport or other travel document must be issued within the
last ten years. In case you do not need a visa for the Schengen area, you can stay in Finland or in the
territory of other Schengen state for ninety days in any 180-day period.
Upon arrival in Finland, you must meet the general entry requirements according to which a person
must not constitute a danger to public order and security, national health, or Finland’s international
relations.
Links for further information:
- More detailed information on visas, please see https://um.fi/visa-to-visit-finland
- Country-specific instructions and document requirements: https://finlandvisa.fi/
- Information about Finnish missions and visas https://finlandabroad.fi/frontpage
Kind regards,
Visa Unit
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Helsinki
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