News, 8.3.2021

Finland will outsource the submission of Schengen visa applications in Tanzania on 12 March 2021

Updated 8.3.2021

Finland will outsource the submission of Schengen visa applications in Tanzania. The Finland Visa Application Centre maintained by VFS Global will be opened in Dar es Salaam on 12 March 2021. The new Visa Application Centre will make it easier to apply for a Schengen visa and give more extent services to applicants.

Applicants must submit their applications in person and well in advance as the processing time of the applications is 15 calendar days. Applications are accepted at the Visa Application Centre only by appointment. 

Even after the Visa Application Centre has opened, the Embassy of Finland will process the applications and make all the visa decisions. 

The Embassy will continue handling all residence permit, passport, notarial and consular services.

The appointments scheduled to the Embassy before the outsourcing will remain as agreed.

Appointment booking is available through the VFS Global Visa Application Center website or call centre starting from 9 March 2021.

VFS Global Visa Application Centre

Due to the coronavirus pandemic Schengen visa applications can only be submitted in the following categories:

  • Family member of a Finnish citizen
  • Family member of an EU or Schengen member state citizen residing in Finland
  • Essential reason, for example, the birth of one's own child, a serious illness of a close relative, one's own wedding, dating relationship

For more information on allowed border traffic to Finland during the Coronavirus pandemic, please see the Finnish Border Guard(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window) website.