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8 ways to enter

Finland visas

Finland tourist visa

For a holiday in Finland, you may need a short-stay Schengen visa. Some travellers can visit without a visa.

Ways to get a Finland tourist visa

  1. Visa-free short visit

    No visa needed

    Ordinary passport holders from the listed countries and territories can visit for leisure without a visa, subject to entry conditions.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

  2. Short-stay Schengen visa

    Visa needed

    Visitors who need a visa and meet the Schengen visa requirements can apply.

    Stay
    Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.
    Valid for
    Up to five years. New applicants usually receive validity covering their intended trip.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    EUR 90 normally; EUR 45 for children aged 6–12; free for children under 6. Other exemptions or reductions may apply. The fee can rise to EUR 180 for some nationalities, except children under 12. An external service may charge up to EUR 120 extra.
    Processing
    15 calendar days for an admissible application with no issues; delays and appointment shortages can occur.
    1. Choose Finland's embassy or consulate if Finland is your main destination. If no main destination can be identified, use the first Schengen country of entry.
    2. Submit your application no more than six months before your intended entry, through the embassy or its application service.
    3. Attend in person for a first application and interview. Give fingerprints and a digital photograph if required.
    4. Pay the applicable fee and wait for the decision.

  3. European free movement

    No visa needed

    Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can enter, live and work in Finland without a visa.

    Stay
    Free movement includes the right to enter, live and work; no fixed visitor limit is specified.

  4. Visit using an existing Schengen visa or residence document

    Other permit

    Holders of a valid short-stay Schengen visa can normally visit Finland. Holders of a long-stay visa or residence permit from another Schengen state, Gibraltar or Monaco can also make short visits without an additional visa.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period for visits using a qualifying long-stay visa or residence permit. Short-stay visa holders must follow their visa's limits.
    Valid for
    Subject to the existing visa or residence document.
    Entries
    Subject to the existing visa.

  5. Visa-free visit for refugees and stateless residents

    No visa needed

    Finland grants visa-free entry to refugees and stateless people resident in Ireland or the United Kingdom.

    Passports that qualify (2)

  6. Bilateral visa-free stay

    No visa needed

    Australian and New Zealand citizens have separate visa waiver agreements covering Finland.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in Finland without reference to time spent in other Schengen countries.

    Passports that qualify (2)

  7. Diplomatic or official passport exemption

    No visa needed

    Finland exempts diplomatic and official passport holders from the ordinary visa-free countries. It also exempts these passport holders from Bolivia, Cape Verde, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Turkey.

    Stay
    Short stays of up to 90 days.

Who needs it

Travellers whose nationality or residence status does not qualify for a visa exemption need a visa.

Who doesn't

Citizens of the listed visa-free countries and territories can usually visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Other exemptions cover European free movement, certain residence permits and family members.

How to apply

  1. Apply to Finland's embassy or consulate if Finland is your only or main destination. If there is no main destination, apply to the first Schengen country you will enter.
  2. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. The embassy may use an external application service.
  3. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photograph if required.
  4. Pay the applicable fee and wait for a decision.

What to bring

  • Travel document accepted for a Schengen visa.
  • Supporting documents for your application; a full tourist checklist is not specified.
  • Fingerprints and a digital photograph, if required.

Good to know

  • Count short visits across the whole Schengen Area together.
  • Finland's reference amount for living costs is EUR 30 per day.
  • A short visa-free visit does not give permission to work in Finland.
  • Check whether your visa limits the countries you can visit.
  • Children under 12 do not give fingerprints. Fingerprints provided within the past 59 months may not need to be collected again.
  • A visa's validity period is different from the number of days you may stay.
  • A Schengen visa issued by another member country normally covers Finland unless marked otherwise.
  • A visa or residence permit issued by Cyprus does not allow entry to Finland.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for Finland?

Travellers whose nationality or residence status does not qualify for a visa exemption need a visa. Citizens of the listed visa-free countries and territories can usually visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Other exemptions cover European free movement, certain residence permits and family members.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for Finland?

There are 8 options: Visa-free short visit (no visa at all); Short-stay Schengen visa (a visa from an embassy); European free movement (no visa at all); Visit using an existing Schengen visa or residence document (a special permit); Visa-free visit for refugees and stateless residents (no visa at all); Bilateral visa-free stay (no visa at all); Diplomatic or official passport exemption (no visa at all); Additional diplomatic passport exemption (no visa at all).

Who can go to Finland without a tourist visa?

Ordinary passport holders from the listed countries and territories can visit for leisure without a visa, subject to entry conditions. Citizens of European Union countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland can enter, live and work in Finland without a visa. Finland grants visa-free entry to refugees and stateless people resident in Ireland or the United Kingdom. Australian and New Zealand citizens have separate visa waiver agreements covering Finland. Finland exempts diplomatic and official passport holders from the ordinary visa-free countries. It also exempts these passport holders from Bolivia, Cape Verde, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Turkey. Finland also exempts diplomatic passport holders from Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, India, Kazakhstan, Morocco and Tunisia. Belarusian passports must be biometric.

How long can I stay on a Finland tourist visa?

Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

How much does a Finland tourist visa cost?

Standard visa fee: EUR 90. Children aged 6–12: EUR 45. Children under 6: free. Other reductions, exemptions or higher fees may apply. An external application service may charge up to EUR 120 extra.

How long does a Finland tourist visa take?

15 calendar days after an admissible application is lodged, if there are no issues. Appointment shortages and longer processing can occur.

How long is a Finland tourist visa valid?

Usually the intended trip for new applicants; visas can be valid for up to five years. Entries: One, two or multiple entries..

What documents do I need for a Finland tourist visa?

Travel document accepted for a Schengen visa.; Supporting documents for your application; a full tourist checklist is not specified.; Fingerprints and a digital photograph, if required..

How do I apply for a Finland tourist visa?

1. 1. Apply to Finland's embassy or consulate if Finland is your only or main destination. If there is no main destination, apply to the first Schengen country you will enter. 2. 2. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. The embassy may use an external application service. 3. 3. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photograph if required. 4. 4. Pay the applicable fee and wait for a decision.

What rules do I have to follow on a Finland tourist visa?

Count short visits across the whole Schengen Area together. Finland's reference amount for living costs is EUR 30 per day. A short visa-free visit does not give permission to work in Finland. Check whether your visa limits the countries you can visit.

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