3.9.2025 News

Finland will open the submission of visa and residence permit applications in Qatar at VFS Doha

The services of the Embassy of Finland in Doha will expand as of October 1, 2025. The Embassy will start providing residence permit services within its consular district for Qatar and Kuwait. In addition, the Doha Embassy will replace the Finnish Embassy in Abu Dhabi in the provision of consular services to Pakistani nationals and complement the services of the Finnish Embassy in Ankara to provide residence permit services to Iraqi citizens.

Residence permit applications for Finland are accepted from Qatari, Kuwaiti and Pakistani nationals as well as from applicants residing legally in these countries (with a residence permit etc.). Iraqi nationals and applicants residing legally in Iraq (with a residence permit etc.) can submit their residence permit application for Finland either in Ankara or Doha.

Visa applications for Finland are accepted from Qatari nationals as well as applicants residing legally in Qatar (with a QID). Iraqi nationals can submit their visa application either in Ankara or Doha.

Visa and residence permit application submissions in Qatar are outsourced to an application centre operated by VFS Global. Visa applications will be received on behalf of Finland at the VFS application center starting September 30, 2025, and residence permit applications starting October 1, 2025.

The VFS Global Application Centre is located at:

1st Floor, Al Nuaimi Building,

Next To Oqba Bin Nafie Metro Station,

Airport Road, Zone 45, Doha, Qatar

Important information regarding application submission:

  • All applicants must visit the Application Centre personally to be identified and to give biometric identifier information.
  • All visa and residence permit applicants are served by appointment only.
  • Residence permit applications should be filled online beforehand at https://migri.fi/enter-finland. To guarantee a smooth and quick identification visit at VFS Doha we recommend online applications and online payment in the online service Enter Finland. In addition, paper applications are accepted. The Finnish Immigration Service is the responsible authority in residence permit matters.
  • Visa application can be filled online at https://finlandvisa.fi/ or on paper. The Embassy of Finland in Doha process visa applications according to the Visa Code.
  • A service fee (20 EUR paid in QAR) will be charged at the Application Centre together with the residence permit fee (if not paid online) or visa fee.
  • All confirmed residence permit and/or visa application appointments under the Embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi or Embassy of Finland in Ankara will remain as agreed. If you have started your residence permit process in Abu Dhabi or Ankara or submitted your visa application in Ankara your process will continue in the same embassy where it started.

The website, call center and appointment booking for submitting visa and residence permit applications will be launched in early September 2025.