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

  1. Fill in the visa application form at the website finlandvisa.fi. 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.
  2. You can even fill in an application in pdf format 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. A visa fee will be charged for processing visa applications (see the Service fees).
  6. 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.

Visa for seasonal work

Fill in the visa application form on the website finlandvisa.fi. On the website you will find information about the documents and appendices you need to apply for a visa for seasonal work. You can check the required documents without logging in on the finlandvisa.fi website.

Employer’s assurance form (PDF)

The employer's assurance form is one of the appendices required for applying for a visa for seasonal work. Employers can fill in the form in Finnish, Swedish or English.

Practical information for visa applicants

Finland has outsourced the submission of Finland and Sweden visa applications to VFS Global. In order to apply for a Schengen visa, the applicant must be able to visit in person VFS Global Visa Application Centre located in Nicosia, Republic of Cyprus. The applicant must also prove legal residence in Cyprus.

Finland represents Sweden for the purpose of examining and deciding on visa applications on behalf of Sweden, according to the Visa Code. 
Applicants should note that when an application is examined and decided by a representing country, the decision will primarily follow the guidelines of that representing country.

Finland significantly restricts non-essential travel (e.g. tourism) of Russian citizens on the basis of government resolution issued on 6 July 2023. You may review the restrictions on the entry of Russian citizens, which are taken into account in all applications examined and decided by Finland. Visa applications for non-essential travel (e.g. tourism) to Finland are currently not received from applicants affected by these restrictions. Issuance of tourist visas to Sweden is restricted.