Visa types

The Schengen category C visa allows its holder to travel in the Schengen Area on a short-term and temporary basis for no more than 90 days over a period of 180 days. A C visa can be obtained in the form of:

  • Single-entry visa
    allows the holder to enter into the destination country once and stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
  • Double-entry visa
    allows entry into the destination country twice and may be valid within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
  • Multiple-entry visa
    is granted for several consecutive visits to the Schengen area. The total duration of the stays may not exceed the number of days stated on the visa sticker, that is, up to 90 days in a 180-day period.  A multiple-entry visa is valid for a maximum of five (5) years.

The Schengen category A visa is an airport transit visa which allows its holder to travel through the international transit area of an airport during a stopover or a change of flights. The visa does not permit its holder to leave the international transit area of an airport. The nationals of the following countries need an airport transit visa:

  • Afghanistan
  • Bangladesh
  • Eritrea
  • Ethiopia
  • Ghana
  • Iraq
  • Iran
  • Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Nigeria
  • Pakistan
  • Somalia
  • Sri Lanka

The Schengen category D visa allows its holder to travel in the Schengen Area for no more than 90 days over a period of 180 days. Finland grants D visas to certain categories of applicants.

For more information, visit the website of the Finnish Immigration Service(Link to another website.). If your residence permit is valid and your Finnish residence permit card has been lost, stolen or expired, you may apply for a D visa for return to Finland.

For more information, see the section Loss of residence permit card(Link to another website.).

Visa with limited territorial validity visa (VLTV) allow their holders to travel in one or more Schengen States that are specifically mentioned in the visa. They do not allow their holders to travel in any other Schengen State. This type of visa may be issued in exceptional cases, such as for humanitarian reasons or for reasons of national interest or international obligations.

See Article 3(5) of the EU Visa Code(Link to another website.) for the categories of persons who are exempt from the requirement to hold an airport transit visa.