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A Finland tourist visa is a visa given to foreigners who want to visit the country for tourism purposes. You can also apply for this visa if you intend to stay in Finland with your friends or relatives or want to visit the country for a business or conference. The visa is also known as a Schengen visa and is given for up to 90 days within 180 days. Some people even call this visa the Finland Travel visa. Indian citizens can apply for this visa at a visa application centre provided by the Finnish mission, a Schengen country representing Finland, or at a Finnish mission. Keep reading to know more about the tourist visa for Finland.
This Blog Includes:
- Do Indians Need a Visa to Visit Finland?
- Finland Tourist Visa Types
- Documents Required for a Finland Tourist Visa
- Requirements to be Met by the Iniviting Party
- Finland Tourist Visa Requirements for Applicants Under the Age of 18
- Where to Apply for a Finland Tourist Visa?
- How to Apply for a Finland Tourist Visa for Indians?
- How Much Bank Balance is Required for a Finland Tourist Visa?
- Finland Tourist Visa Processing Time
- Finland Tourist Visa Application Fees
- What is the Rejection Rate for Finland Tourist Visa?
- What to Do if My Finland Tourist Visa Application is Rejected?
- FAQs
Do Indians Need a Visa to Visit Finland?
Yes. All Indian nationals need a visa to visit Finland. Only citizens of the EU member countries or a Nordic Country are excluded from the visa requirement. Therefore, you need to apply for a Finland tourist visa for a temporary stay of less than 90 days within 180 days. For a longer stay, you need a residence permit.
To visit Finland you need a travel document accepted by Finland. That is, you need any one of the following:
- Diplomatic passport
- Ordinary passport
- New ePassport
- Official duty passport
- Seaman’s pass / Seaman’s book (if you are in service)
- Foreigner’s travel documents (if you are a Tibetan refugee)
Note: Indian Nationals holding a diplomatic passport do not need a Finland tourist visa.
Finland Tourist Visa Types
The Finland tourist visa/Schengen (category C) visa permits you to travel temporarily (less than 90 days within 180 days). You can obtain this visa in the form of:
- Double-entry visa: A visa that allows you to enter Finland twice
- Single-entry visa: A visa that permits you to enter the country one-time
- Multiple entry visa: Enter Finland multiple times. A multiple-entry visa is valid for 5 years. However, you cannot extend your stay more than 90 days within 180 days.
Apart from the tourist visa, there is a Schengen category A visa. This airport transit visa allows you to travel through the international airport transit area to change flights or for a stopover. You cannot leave the airport with a transit visa. Another visa is a category D visa, given for a stay of more than 90 days in Finland. This visa is given for different purposes like education, and work.
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Documents Required for a Finland Tourist Visa
The following documents are required for a Finland Schengen visa/tourist visa. You must ensure that you have these documents for a successful visa application. You can find the specific requirements on the website: (finlandvisa.fi)
- You must complete a visa application form and must sign it
- Have a passport/travel document that is valid for at least 3 months beyond the duration of your stay. The passport must have been issued within the last 10 years.
- One photograph is taken against a light background, with a clear focus on your face. Your full face must be visible. You must also not wear items that symbolise your religious or ethnic background. The photograph must be printed on normal photographic paper and must be attached to your visa application.
- Travel insurance is valid for the duration of your stay. This travel insurance must be valid in all the Schengen countries and must be at least EUR 30,000.
- Documents to prove the purpose of your stay must be submitted. For example, air tickets, a private invitation letter, confirmation of hotel reservations/accommodation proof, and an official invitation.
- Apart from that, you need to provide details of your itinerary, return trip, and means of transportation.
- Proof of employment or education. Unemployed individuals need to present proof of income.
- You also need to meet the financial requirements. That is, you must have a minimum balance to apply for the visa. That is, EUR 50 a day.
- Invitation free form letter indicating your private hosts’/organisations’ contact information.
- For private visits, you need to mention if the host is a relative/friend/spouse in the invitation letter. (if applicable)
- For business visits, the business wealth is not taken into account. If the host is paying for the trip then a proof of sponsorship form must be attached. On the other hand, if the host is not paying for the trip a free-form invitation is only needed.
- Any additional document, if applicable.
Requirements to be Met by the Iniviting Party
The inviting party (family, friends or business) can financially support you for travel. However, in this case, a sponsorship form must be filled. The inviting party must fill out the form in front of a notary office and must get the document authorised. The following documents must be attached to the sponsorship form. These documents must be of the inviting party:
- Identification card and residence permit
- Copy of the employment contract, and last 3 months’ bank statements
- Copy of right of possession of a housing. For example, a rent agreement, register of occupants, etc. (That is if the visa applicant is staying with you)
- Proof of family relationship (if applicable)
- Proof of previous meetings held with the visa applicant (if the visa is applied not based on family relationships).
Finland Tourist Visa Requirements for Applicants Under the Age of 18
If you are a minor you need to present additional documents. This includes the following:
- Birth certificate (copy)
- Copy of the parent’s passports (if applicable)
- Proof of parental consent must be submitted. This is only applicable to those who are not accompanied by their parents/guardians.
- Proof of custody changes
You may need to clear a visa interview as well.
Where to Apply for a Finland Tourist Visa?
The Finland tourist visa can be applied at a visa application centre (provided by the Finnish mission), a Finnish mission, or at a country from the Schengen are that represents Finland.
- Indian nationals can apply for a visa at a visa application centre for a tourist visa. Visa application centres in New Delhi, Chennai, and Bangalore. Hyderabad, Mumbai, Kolkata accepts the visa application form. You need to visit personally for the visa application submission.
- You can also directly apply at a Finnish mission located near you.
- In countries where the Finish mission/consulate doesn’t exist, applications can be submitted through a Schengen country that represents Finland. For example, Sweden represents Filand for visa affairs for Bangladesh.
How to Apply for a Finland Tourist Visa for Indians?
To apply for a Finland tourist visa fill out a visa application form. The visa application form can be found at the official website of Finland Visa (finlandvisa.fi). You can also download the same from the VFS Global website.
- Fill out the visa application form either by hand or online
- Gather the documents required for Indians applying for a Finland tourist visa.
- Get an appointment at a visa application centre, and confirm your appointment
- On the date of your visa appointment bring the necessary documents and your visa application form. You also need to submit the biometric information
- You may have to clear a visa interview (if applicable)
- If you are applying with your family you need to book individual appointments for each member. The same goes for those applying in groups.
- Pay the Finland visa application fee.
- At this stage, the visa processing will be started.
- You can track your application online (using your reference number and last name)
- You will be contacted regarding the status of your application
- Once a decision has been made you can collect your documents from the visa application centre.
To learn more about getting a Finland tourist visa, watch the video below:
How Much Bank Balance is Required for a Finland Tourist Visa?
To apply for a Finland tourist visa you need to have a minimum bank balance. You need to provide proof of the same. The minimum amount required is provided below. You must have this amount for the duration of your stay.
| Visa Type | Minimum Bank Balance |
| Finland Schengen Visa/tourist visa | EUR 50 per day |
Finland Tourist Visa Processing Time
The Finland tourist visa processing time depends on the purpose of your visit. The processing time is provided below:
| Purpose of Visit | Processing time |
| Groups (of more than 15 people) for tourism | 20 working days |
| Individuals visiting Finland for tourism | 15 working days |
| Individuals visiting Finland for short-term business activity | 15 days |
| Groups (of more than 15 people) visiting for business | 20 working days |
| Visa extensions (if applicable) | 30 days |
During high seasons the visa application processing can be extended for up to 30 days.
Finland Tourist Visa Application Fees
The Schengen visa application fees differ based on the age of the applicant. The visa fees are provided below:
| Age Group | Finland Tourist Visa Application Fee |
| Adults | EUR 90 |
| Children aged between 6-11 | EUR 45 |
| Children aged between 0-5 | Free |
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What is the Rejection Rate for Finland Tourist Visa?
The Finland tourist visa rejection rate is 9.7% (2023-2024). That is, out of 1,64,427 applications only 15,530 applicants were rejected. The main reasons for the Finland visa application rejection are:
- Lack of finances for the duration of stay
- The applicant does not have a clear intent to travel
- Previous record of visa rule violations
- Bad employment record
Therefore, before applying for a tourist visa, ensure that all documents are accurate and that you meet the visa requirements. Moreover, be clear regarding the purpose of your visit. Generally, as long as you meet these requirements your application is accepted.
What to Do if My Finland Tourist Visa Application is Rejected?
When a Finland tourist visa is denied, you have 2 options. These are provided below:
- Reapply for a tourist visa: Identify the reasons for the rejection of the visa application, rectify the mistake and reapply.
- File an appeal – You can choose this option if the application rejection has been unfair. The appeal must be written in Finnish or Swedish and must be filed within 30 days. It must be a request for an administrative review. You need to pay a fee of EUR 70 for a visa appeal. If the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs rejects the appeal application you can even apply for a final appeal at the Helsinki Administrative Court within a month.
FAQs
Those who meet the Finland visa application requirements, and submit an accurately filled application from will have their visa approved. The visa application is accepted as long as your intention to apply is also clear. At present visa application rejection rate is only 9.7%.
Yes. Finland is an excellent destination for travel. It is the happiest country in the world. Moreover, the crime rates are low.
You can apply for a Finland tourist visa at a Finnish Mission or a visa application centre approved by a Finnish Mission. To get the visa, ensure that you meet all the visa requirements, fill out the application form accurately, and submit accurate documents, and your intention to visit the country is only for tourism purposes.
The best time to visit Finland is during the summer. You can visit between June and August. During this time the temperature is ideal That is when the temperature is between 53°F and 73°C.
We hope you now understand all about the Finland tourist visa. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!
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