How to apply for a visa?

Submit your visa application at a mission or visa centre in person. An application cannot be sent by e-mail or telefax.

To apply for a visa you need the following

  1. The visa application form(Link to another website.) completed and signed
  2. One photograph
    Include a colour photograph from which you are recognizable. Please visit the EU website (Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)for guidance.
  3. A passport
    Make sure your passport is valid for at least three (3) months after the end of your intended travel and that it has been issued no later than ten (10) years ago.
  4. Travel insurance
    Your travel insurance must be in force for the period of the validity of the applied visa and cover the entire Schengen area. The minimum coverage of the policy must be EUR 30,000 and the insurance must cover expenses arising from a sudden illness and accident (also the patient's repatriation) and repatriation expenses in case of death.
  5. Supporting documents
    As the required appendices vary by country, contact the mission or visa center to make sure which ones you need. The mission may request that you append certain documents to the application to show the purpose, conditions and duration of the visit. Examples of such documents are tickets, a confirmation of hotel reservation, a private invitation letter and an official invitation.

    The invitation is a free-form letter indicating the host organisation’s or private host’s contact details and the invited person's details, such as name, date of birth, address, passport number, and purpose and length of visit.

    In case of a private visit, it is advisable to mention if your host is a friend or your spouse or relative. Please note that an invitation does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. The funds of the inviting party may be taken into account if the inviting party fills in the proof of sponsorship form and attaches the necessary documents as proof of funds.

    In addition to the above, you may be asked to provide information concerning the itinerary, means of transport, return trip, financial means of support and assets and employment.

    The applicant must have proof of sufficient financial means to cover the duration and purpose of the stay and the cost of living in the country.  In Finland a minimum of EUR 50 a day is required.
  6. Parental consent is required for minors
    Unaccompanied minor children need a parental consent for their travel.
  7. Interview
    The mission may also ask you for a personal interview to find out about the purpose of your visit.

Processing time of the application

Submit your visa application at a mission of Finland or a visa centre no later than 15 days before travel. You may submit an application no more than six (6) months before the start of the intended visit.

The processing time can be longer if e.g. the central authorities of other Schengen states need to be consulted. 

Applying for a Schengen visa in Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

A Schengen visa to Finland must be applied at the Embassy of Finland in Tel Aviv, Israel. Submit your visa application in person no later than 15 days before your planned trip. The application may be submitted during the opening hours of the Mission. Contact us to book an appointment by calling +972 3 745 6600.

In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the visa application can be submitted at the Representative Office of Finland in Ramallah. Submit your visa application in person no later than 21 days before your planned trip. Visa application can be submitted by a prior appointment only.

General requirements for all visa applicants in Israel and in the Occupied Palestinian Territory

  • The application must be submitted in person at the Mission.
  • The Schengen visa application form(Link to another website.), duly completed, dated and signed by the applicant. The application form is also available at the Embassy. The form is free of charge.
  • One colour photograph (not older than 6 months, photo size 36x47mm, face size 32x36mm, brightly colored background). More detailed instructions on passport photos are available on the website of the Finnish police www.poliisi.fi/en(Link to another website.).
  • A non-refundable visa fee of 80 euros, paid in Israeli Shekels only, upon submitting the application.
  • A valid travel document (valid for at least ninety days after your intended date of departure from the Schengen area.)
  • A valid Israeli residence permit (valid for at least 3 months after the departure from the Schengen area) if the applicant is a foreign national subject to a visa requirement in Israel.
  • An Entry Visa issued by the Israeli authorities (valid for at least 60 days after the departure from the Schengen area)
  • Preliminary flight reservation (not a paid flight ticket). A proof of the paid return ticket must be shown only upon the collection of the issued visa.
  • Proof of the applicant’s means of support during the trip
  • Your travel insurance must be in force for the period of the validity of the applied visa and cover the entire Schengen area. The minimum coverage of the policy must be EUR 30,000 and the insurance must cover expenses arising from a sudden illness and accident (also the patient's repatriation) and repatriation expenses in case of death. A proof of the travel insurance does not need to be presented when submitting the application but it must be presented when picking up the issued visa.

The required supporting documents for each visa type

Private visit

  • A free-form letter of invitation, stating the personal and contact details of the host and visitor (name, date of birth, address, telephone number, email), purpose, duration and time of the trip, details of the accommodation and the address, and proof of relationship between the host and the visitor. The invitation letter must be signed and dated.
  • Evidence of the applicant's means of support during the trip and who will bear the cost of the trip.
  • Other supporting documents if required (e.g. proof of occupation, enrollment, means of support)

Tourism

  • Travel itinerary
  • Hotel reservation
  • Proof of occupation/enrollment and leave permission from the employer
  • Proof of the applicant’s means of support (bank statement from the last 3 months)

Business trip/conference

  • The original letter of invitation from the company/organisation. The letter of invitation must indicate the host’s contact details (name, phone number, email, address) and purpose and date of visit.
  • A written confirmation from the company/organization of the trip and the purpose of travel
  • If necessary, the Embassy may ask for further clarification (e.g. business/trade register extract, proof of means of support)

Family members of an EU/ETA citizen

Family members of an EU/ETA citizen are exempt from the visa fees and the obligation to submit travel insurance. However, it is recommended that the traveler has a valid travel insurance. In accordance with section 37 of the Aliens Act, a Finnish citizen's foreign family members are:

  • The spouse of a EU/ETA citizen residing in Finland
  • An unmarried child aged under 18 whose parent or guardian is an EU/ETA citizen residing in Finland
  • If the person residing in Finland is a minor, his other parent or guardian is the family member (proof of custody)
  • Same sex partner if the partnership is nationally registered