Finnish Visa for Official Visits
Residents of the UK have a strong affinity for traveling abroad, and trips to Finland offer numerous benefits. British tourists visiting Finland not only enjoy sightseeing but also seek to experience the country’s rich heritage and customs. However, international travel from the UK can present various challenges. Therefore, it’s important to provide clear guidance to British residents on how to obtain a Finnish visa.
Finnish flagTable of Contents:
Introduction
1. Top Questions
1.1 What is a Visa & Who Needs One?
1.2 What is a Visa for Official Visits?
1.3 How long is a Visa for Official Visits Valid for?
1.4 When should I Apply for a Visa for Official Visits?
1.5 How Long Does it Take to Obtain a Finnish Visa for Official Visits?
1.6 Where is the Visa for Official Visits Processed?
1.7 How Much Does it Cost to Obtain a Finnish Visa for Official Visits?
1.8 How to Pay?
2. Application Process
2.1 Documents Required to Apply for a Finnish Visa for Official Visits
2.2 Steps to Apply for a Finnish Visa for Official Visits
3. Visa for Official Visits Extension
Introduction
It is clear that the tourism industry is thriving, and cross-country travel plays a crucial role in the socio-economic development of both the UK and Finland.
Firstly, international tourism contributes significantly to Finland’s prosperity and benefits the local population in various ways. To accommodate the growing number of British visitors, Finland has invested in infrastructure improvements, such as better roads, enhanced transport facilities, and stronger law enforcement. These developments not only aid tourists but also improve the quality of life for locals.
Secondly, the increasing number of visitors creates more employment opportunities, particularly in the hospitality sector. This, in turn, enhances the overall quality of life for Finns and generates revenue for the government, helping to address financial challenges.
However, there are growing concerns about the negative impacts of tourism on local communities and the environment in Finland. In response, both the government and individuals are implementing stricter visa procedures to mitigate these adverse effects and ensure that tourism continues to contribute positively to Finland’s prosperity.
1. Top Questions
1.1 What is a Visa & Who Needs One?
According to Wikipedia, a visa is an official permit issued by Finland that allows an individual to enter, stay in, or transit through its borders. This permit is typically stamped into a passport by the relevant embassy. The type of visa and the length of stay depend on the purpose of the visit. In some cases, an interview at the embassy may be required before a visa is granted.
British citizens enjoy visa-free entry for short stays in the Schengen area, including Finland, for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. However, if a British citizen intends to stay for more than 90 days, a visa will be required. For those who are UK residents but do not hold a British passport, a Finnish Schengen visa is necessary to visit Finland.
To determine whether you need to apply for a Finnish visa, please refer to the tables provided.
[expand title=”The countries whose citizens are required to get a Finnish visa in order to enter there are”]
| A | |||||
| Afghanistan | Algeria | Angola | Armenia | Azerbaijan | |
| B | |||||
| Bahrain | Bangladesh | Belarus | Belize | ||
| Benin | Bhutan | Bolivia | Botswana | ||
| Burkina Faso | Burma/Myanmar | Burundi | |||
| C | |||||
| Cambodia | Cameroon | Cape Verde | Central African Republic | Chad | |
| China | Comoros | Congo | Cote D’ivoire | Cuba | |
| D | |||||
| Dem. Rep. Of Congo | Djibouti | Dominican Republic | |||
| E | |||||
| Ecuador | Egypt | Equatorial Guinea | Eritrea | Ethiopia | |
| F | |||||
| Fiji | |||||
| G | |||||
| Gabon | Gambia | Ghana | Guinea | Guinea-Bissau | Guyana |
| H | |||||
| Haiti | |||||
| I | |||||
| India | Indonesia | Iran | Iraq | ||
| J | |||||
| Jamaica | Jordan | ||||
| K | |||||
| Kazakhstan | Kenya | Kosovo | Kuwait | Kyrgyzstan | |
| L | |||||
| Laos | Lebanon | Lesotho | Liberia | Libya | |
| M | |||||
| Madagascar | Malawi | Maldives | Mali | ||
| Mauritania | Mongolia | Morocco | Mozambique | ||
| N | |||||
| Namibia | Nepal | Niger | Nigeria | Northern Mariana’s | North Korea |
| O | |||||
| Oman | |||||
| P | |||||
| Pakistan | Papua New Guinea | Palestinian Authority | Philippines | ||
| Q | |||||
| Qatar | |||||
| R | |||||
| Russia | Rwanda | ||||
| S | |||||
| Sao Tome And Principe | Saudi Arabia | Senegal | Sierra Leone | ||
| Somalia | South Africa | South Sudan | Sri Lanka | ||
| Sudan | Suriname | Swaziland | Syria | ||
| T | |||||
| Tajikistan | Tanzania | Thailand | Timor-Leste | ||
| Togo | Tonga | Tunisia | Turkey | ||
| Turkmenistan | |||||
| U | |||||
| Uganda | Uzbekistan | ||||
| V | |||||
| Vietnam | |||||
| Y | |||||
| Yemen | |||||
| Z | |||||
| Zambia | Zimbabwe |
[/expand]
With a valid UK residence permit extending at least three months beyond your planned departure date from Finland or the Schengen Area, you can enjoy several benefits. You may stay in Finland for up to 90 days. However, if your intention is to stay beyond 90 days, you will need to apply for a residency permit rather than a Finnish Schengen visa.
If you hold a UK visa valid for three months, you have the option to extend it by an additional three months, which makes you eligible to apply for a Finnish Schengen visa from within the UK. Remember, you must apply for this extension before your current visa expires and while you are still in the UK.
1.2 What is a Visa for Official Visits?
To obtain this visa, you must receive an official invitation from an intergovernmental organization for purposes such as meetings, consultations, negotiations, exchange programs, or other official events in Finland.
1.3 How Long is a Visa for Official Visits Valid for?
This visa is typically issued for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. If the total duration of the stay is expected to exceed 90 days, a long-stay national visa will be required.
1.4 When Should I Apply For a Visa for Official Visits?
It is highly recommended to apply for a Finnish Visa for Official Visits 6 months prior to the planned trip.
1.5 How Long Does it Take to Obtain a Finnish Visa for Official Visits?
Typically, the Visa Application Centre will respond within 15 days or less. However, processing times can extend to 30-60 days in certain cases, depending on the complexity of the documentation and the specifics of the application.
1.6 Where is the Visa for Official Visits Processed?
All visas follow a similar processing procedure, though additional documents may be required in certain cases.
- If You Visit Only Finland: Submit your application at the VFS Visa Centre in the UK.
- If You Visit More Countries Than Finland: Submit your application at the Visa Centre in the country where you will spend the most days or where you will first arrive if you plan to spend an equal amount of time in each.
VISA APPLICATION CENTRE IN LONDON – VFS JOINT VISA APPLICATION CENTRE
Address:
66 Wilson Street
London
EC2A 2JX
Contact Details:
Email: info.ituk@vfshelpline.com
Helpline Number: 0871 376 0023
Due to high demand for Finnish visas, the Finnish Embassy has outsourced visa processing to the Finnish Visa Centre in London. A Visa Application Centre is a third-party service provider authorised to accept and transmit visa applications to the embassy or consulate of the applicant’s destination country. Our company assists with preparing and sending the necessary documents to the Visa Application Centre.
VFS Centre’s official website page1.7 How Much Does it Cost to Obtain a Finnish Visa for Official Visits?
The cost for processing a Finnish visa varies based on the category of the applicant:
- For adults: £73
- For children aged 6-12 years: £36.50
There is no fee for the following categories:
- Children under 6 years of age
- Family members of an EU/EEA national, who must present the following documents:
- Original Marriage Certificate or Civil Partnership Certificate
- Original full Birth Certificate
- EU/EEA national’s passport
- People who are going to study in Finland for a short period and are accompanied by teaching staff, such as school children, undergraduates, and postgraduates. They must present:
- A letter from the school principal or dean indicating that the trip is a necessary part of the school or college program.
1.8 How to Pay?
You have the option of paying the visa fees by cash or credit/debit card when applying at the Visa Application Centre. Please note that checks are not accepted.
2. Application Process
2.1 Documents Required to Apply for a Finnish Visa for Official Visits
When applying for a Finnish Visa for Official Visits, you must provide the next documents:
1. Visa Application Form
You need to complete the Short-stay Visa Application Form legibly and correctly. Ensure you sign the form and include accurate addresses in Finland, specifying the number, street name, city, and postal code.
Please refer to the following table to fill in the form correctly:
| The appropriate Form Section | Our explanation of each Form Section |
| Surname | Fill in your name like it is on your passport (do not write “married name” and your husband name) |
| Surname at birth | Write the name you had at your birth if different than your current surname |
| First Name (s) | Write your first name like it is on your passport |
| Date of birth | Fill in your date of birth like this: day/month/year |
| Place of birth | Fill in your place of birth like it is on your passport |
| Country of birth | Fill in your country of birth even there is no it on your passport |
| Current Nationality | Fill in your nationality like it is on your passport |
| Nationality at birth, if different | Fill in your nationality at birth if it is different from the nationality on your passport |
| Other nationalities | |
| Sex | Fill in your male or female gender |
| Marital Status | For a common-law marriage, indicate “common-law marriage” in the section “Other”. For a PACS (your destination country civil union contract) with a local citizen, indicate “PACS” in the section “Other“ |
| Parental Authority | Fill in the full name, address, telephone number, email address, and nationality of the person who keeps parental authority or legal guardianship |
| National Identity Number | Fill in your national identity number if you have this one |
| Type of travel document | Write the appropriate kind of your travel document |
| Number of travel document | Write the appropriate numbers of your travel document |
| Date of issue | Write the date your passport was issued (not the extension date) |
| Valid until | Write your passport expiration date taking into account the extensions |
| Issued by | Write the country of issuing your passport and the authority that issued the passport |
| Personal data of the family member who is a European Union, EEA or Swiss Confederation citizen or is a United | Fill in the full name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and relationship only if you are the dependent spouse, child, father, or mother of a person who is a citizen of another State of the European Union. |
| Kingdom citizen beneficiary of the withdrawal agreement, if applicable | |
| Family relationship with an European Union, EEA or Swiss Confederation citizen, or with United Kingdom citizen beneficiary of the withdrawal agreement, if applicable | Fill in the corresponding status |
| Applicant's home address and e-mail address | Write the e-mail address: 1) your own one, either 2) another person one, or 3) company (accordingly, write the name of the mailbox owner). |
| Telephone number | Write your cellular number in your residence country and, where appropriate, in the country where you are submitting your visa application |
| Residence in a country other than the country of current nationality | If you are living in other country you need to write the number of your residence permit and its expiration date |
| Current occupation | Fill in the current occupation like it is on the passport, for example: “professor” or “retired (former designer)”. If you have no occupation, write “no occupation” |
| Employer and employer's address and telephone number | Fill in the name of the organization (firm, public service, educational institution) where you work or study and its name, address, and telephone number |
| For students, name and address of educational establishment | |
| Purpose(s) of the journey | Write the appropriate goal of your travel |
| Member State of main destination (and other Member States of destination, if applicable | Write a country name as your primary destination. If it is a foreign overseas department or territory, write your destination country name and the name of the department or territory |
| Member State of first entry | Fill in your destination country |
| Number of entries requested | Write your desired number of entries with the dates of arrival and departure |
| Fingerprints collected previously for the purpose of applying for a Schengen visa | If your fingerprints have already been taken for a visa application, write the date |
| Entry permit for the final country of destination, where applicable | Write the number and validity dates for your visa at your final destination, if this country is outside the Schengen area |
| Surname and first name of the inviting person(s) in the Member State(s). Address and e-mail address of inviting person(s). Telephone number | Write the name of the person who invited you, address, e-mail and a phone number |
| Name and address of inviting company / organization, phone number and e-mail number | Write the contact info of the organization that invited you and the contact info for your contact person in the organization |
| Cost of travelling and living during the applicant's stay is covered | Indicate the necessary boxes |
| Place and date | Write the place and date where you are filling in the form, even if this date is different than the day you are going to the visa service |
| Signature | The visa applicant must sign and not another person. If the visa applicant is a minor (under 18), the application must be signed by a person having parental authority and their relationship should be included in parentheses (father, mother, guardian). If the visa applicant cannot sign, a cross may be used |
2. Two Recent Photographs
Follow these Austrian Visa Photo Requirements:
- Two identical photos taken within the last six months.
- Photo size: 35×45 mm (width x height).
- Colour photos only (no black and white).
- Head should occupy 70-80% of the photo.
- Background should be bright and lightly coloured (light grey is recommended).
- The applicant should be facing the camera directly.
- Maintain a neutral expression (no smile and mouth closed).
- Avoid uniforms or colours that match the background.
3. Valid Passport
Your passport’s maximum validity period: 10 years.
Your passport’s minimum validity period: 3 months after your trip to Finland. Your passport should have at least two blank pages in order to be able to affix the visa sticker.
4. Copy of Your Return Ticket Reservation with Dates and Flight Numbers
This document may also be referred to by other names such as Booked Flight Itinerary, Flight Itinerary for Visa Application, Flight Reservation, Air Ticket Booking, Dummy Air Ticket for Visa, Dummy Ticket, Flight Confirmation, or Return Ticket.
A Flight Itinerary for Visa Application is not an actual air ticket that you purchase. Instead, it is a document that outlines your planned flight or travel journey to Finland. This itinerary should include the flight name, your name, a valid flight reservation number or booking ID, arrival and departure dates, airport IATA codes, and the price of a real flight ticket.
Obtaining a Flight Reservation for your visa application may involve a fee. While some airlines offer reservations without immediate payment, many will charge a small fee. It is advisable to explore various airlines to find one that offers a no-cost reservation option.
5. Travel Health Insurance
You need to be aware of some travel insurance requirements, such as the following:
- A minimum coverage of at least 30,000 EUR;
- It should cover all member states of the Schengen Area;
- Cover any expenses on repatriation for medical reasons, urgent health attention, and/or emergency hospital treatment or death.
Regarding this, it is highly recommended to contact one of the companies such as AXA, or Europ Assistance.
AXA insurance company page6. Proof of Accommodation in Finland
You need to provide one of the following recognized documents to the Finnish Visa Application Center:
- Hotel Booking or Reservation: VisaReservation is a recommended service that can provide you with a Proof of Accommodation Letter for your visa application. To use this service, visit the VisaReservation website, select the “Hotel Booking Plan Only,” fill in your details and hotel stay information, make the payment online, and receive a confirmation email with your hotel reservation details. Print this confirmation and submit it to the consulate or embassy.
A hotel in Finland
7. Means of Subsistence
This document should demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay in France. Proof of subsistent financial means can include:
- A bank account statement.
- A sponsorship letter from someone who will financially support your trip.
- A combination of both.
Accepted documents for proof of subsistent financial means include:
- A personal bank statement showing your financial affairs for the last 3 months.
- Credit card.
- Cash.
- Cheques.
- Payslips.
- Proof of employment.
- Documentation from your sponsor.
- Proof of prepaid accommodation.
- Documentation regarding private accommodation.
- Proof of prepaid transport.
- Other relevant documents.
When applying for a French visa, you should be able to prove having the following amounts:
- €120 per day if there is no proof of prepaid accommodation.
- €65 per day if you have proof of covered hotel accommodation for the entire period of stay. If not, the remaining amount is €120.
- €32.25 per day if you have proof of prepaid, less expensive accommodation.
Bank account statement8. Evidence of Employment Status
In case of your employment:
- Employment contract
- Leave permission from the employer
- Income tax return
- Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
In case of your self-employment:
- A copy of your business license
- Company’s bank statement of the latest 6 months
- Your Income Tax Return
In case of your studies:
- Proof of enrollment
- No Objection Certificate from School or University
In case of your retirement:
- Pension statements of the latest 6 months
Sometimes, you may need to provide proof of regular income generated by property for the latest 6 months.
The signed application form must be accompanied by the mandatory documents mentioned above and personally handed to the appropriate embassy/consulate or its representative in your home country. In addition to the general documentation required, additional documents may be necessary depending on the purpose of your Finnish Visa application.
9. Travel Itinerary
This document should include dates and flight numbers indicating entry and exit from the Schengen area. It must contain the following details:
- The purpose of traveling to Finland
- The time frame, including the date of entry and departure from Finland
- Information on hotel or hostel reservations in Finland
- Places you plan to visit or activities you intend to attend
10. Visa Application Cover Letter
Your cover letter should include the following:
- The purpose of your travel to the Schengen member state(s)
- Proof of how you will fund your trip (personal funds or sponsor)
- If you have a sponsor, explain your personal relationship with them and the reason they are sponsoring your trip
- An overview of your itinerary, including why you chose to apply at this specific embassy
- If you cannot submit any required documents, provide reasons and explain any alternative documents you are submitting
- Your intent to return to your home country, which may include a separate letter of intent detailing your ties to your home country
Writing a cover letter is an important way to communicate directly with the embassy officer processing your visa application.
11. The Official Invitation Copy
12. Proof of Civil Status
This document can be one of the following:
- A marriage certificate
- A birth certificate for children
- A death certificate of a spouse
13. Identity of Applicant
14. A Copy of Your Return Ticket Reservation
(Please remember that you need to obtain the visa before purchasing your ticket.)
15. Copies of Your Previous Visas
16. Purpose of the Journey
This document should detail the purpose of your trip, such as negotiations, meetings, events organized by intergovernmental organizations, or consultations.
17. Duration of Stay
18. Place of Accommodation
2.2 Steps to Apply for a Finnish Visa for Official Visits
Regardless of your visa type, the process for applying is as follows:
First Step: Locate the nearest Visa Application Centre where you need to submit your documents. Contact us for assistance in finding the appropriate centre
Your choice of applyingSecond Step: Determine the best time to visit the Visa Application Centre in person to submit your Austrian Visa application.
Your choice of time to come to usThird Step: Schedule an appointment at the Austrian Visa Application Centre.
You can make an appointment in one of two ways:
- Online
- In Person
Make an appointment at the Finnish Visa Application CenterFourth Step: Attend your appointment at the Visa Application Centre with all the required documents.
Your interviewFifth Step: Pay the visa fee.
Paying money for your visaSixth Step: Wait for a response from the application centre regarding your visa application.
A reply from the VFS application centreNote: Ensure that your visa application form clearly specifies the dates of your visit and the cities you will be staying in. It is advisable to gather all necessary documents and complete the application form only after you have all the required information.
3. Visa for Official Visits Extension
Extending your Finnish visa is not common and should only be considered for compelling reasons. Valid reasons for extending your visa may include:
- Late entry
- Humanitarian reasons
- Force majeure
- Personal reasons
For more detailed information on extending your visa, please review these scenarios.
In Summary,
We hope this article has provided valuable guidance for applying for an Finnish visa from the United Kingdom. Thank you for reading. Stay tuned for more information and feel free to share this article!