Where and how to apply for a visa?
If your country of destination is Finland, you must apply for a visa at the nearest Finnish mission. Honorary consuls and honorary consulates do not grant visas.
How to apply for a visa
- Fill in the visa application form at the website finlandvisa.fi(Link to another website.). At the website, you will find information about the documents, appendices and passport photo you need to submit an application. You can check the required visa application documents without logging in on the website finlandvisa.fi.
- You can even fill in an application in pdf format (Link to another website.)either by hand or with computer. Even when filling in a pdf application, you should check the required visa application documents at the website finlandvisa.fi(Link to another website.).
- Book an appointment for submitting your application at the Finnish mission located in your country of residence or providing services to your country of residence.
- All visa applications must be submitted in person. Your biometric identifiers will be collected at the same time. Fingerprints are not taken if the fingerprints were given in connection with a previous Schengen visa application less than 59 months ago.
- A visa fee will be charged for processing visa applications (see the Service fees(Link to another website.)).
- The Finnish mission may request additional information or documentation and, if considered necessary, to interview the applicant.
Processing times of visa applications
You must submit your application for a visa well in advance. You may submit an application no more than six (6) months before the start of the intended visit. The processing time of a visa application is 15 days.
The processing time may be longer if a more detailed examination of the application is required.
Submitting a Schengen visa application in Cyprus
Finland has outsourced the submission of Finland and Sweden visa applications in Cyprus. In order to apply for a visa, the applicant must be able to visit in person VFS Global Visa Application Centre(Link to another website.) located in the Republic of Cyprus. The applicant must also prove legal residence in Cyprus. More information: Finland will outsource the submission of Schengen visa applications in Cyprus.
Please note the Finnish Border Guard’s restrictions on the entry of Russian citizens(Link to another website.). No tourist visa applications are currently received from applicants affected by these restrictions.
For general information and guidance on visas and residence permits to Finland, please see FAQ: Visas and residence permits(Link to another website.)