Processing times for a Finnish visa, where to get an urgent visa and how much it costs

Types and features of Finnish visa

Finland is part of the Schengen area, so when traveling to this country you must follow the standard rules for obtaining permits. The Finnish tourist visa (type C) provides for a short-term visit for up to 90 days. Its design is allowed to solve the following problems:

• business;
• work trip;
• tourism;
• visiting family and friends;
• training courses;
• other purposes that do not require staying in the country for more than 90 days.

There are also type A and B visas. The first allows you to stay in the territory of an airport or other transit hub for more than a day, and the second gives the right to stay in the country for up to five days. The second option is convenient when a traveler travels to another state by car. This visa is usually applied for by Russians planning a trip to Norway or Sweden.

Depending on the number of trips, a tourist visa to Finland can be of the following types:

• single entry - gives the right to one border crossing with the possibility of visiting another Scandinavian country and returning to Finnish territory;
• double - allows you to make two trips within the period specified in the permit;
• multiple - does not limit the frequency of border crossings.

Most often, a single-entry tourist visa to Finland is issued for Russians, which allows them to make one trip, taking into account the purpose of the trip.

Documents for Finnish visa

Long-term visas for 2 and 3 years when visiting Finland for the first time are reluctantly issued by the visa service. In this case, it is easier to apply for a six-month visa several times.

For tourist visa

Main list:

• a form filled out in Latin letters (for minors, the form must be filled out by parents or guardians);
• one photo 35 * 45 mm, without glasses, wigs and hats.
• international passport with a copy of the first page (the passport must have at least 2 blank pages, and its validity must be at least 90 days);
• if you have previously issued passports, their forms;
• medical insurance policy with a coverage amount of at least 30,000 euros;
• a copy of the passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
• confirmation of the purpose - tickets from a tour operator or a detailed travel plan.
• place of residence - hotel reservation, rental agreement, guarantee of living space from the trustee;
• confirmation of financial solvency: bank account statement, employment certificate, letters from the sponsor.

Important: The insurance policy must be valid throughout the Schengen area and must begin on the date of submission of documents.

For student visa

A special feature of a student visa is the opportunity for students to combine work and study.

For a study visa you will need the following documents:

• questionnaire;
• international passport;
• 1 photo;
• medical insurance policy;
• certificate of enrollment from a Finnish university (you must first pass the entrance exams on a tourist visa);
• certificate of secondary education;
• confirmation of financial support (6,720 euros for 1 year of study).

The financial minimum, in accordance with the norm of the Schenge zone, is 560 euros for 30 days, and you need to confirm the amount for the entire duration of the visa. These requirements may be reduced if the university provides room and board to the student.

For visitor visa

Basic list:

• questionnaire;
• a foreign passport valid for at least 90 days;
• 1 photo;
• a written invitation and confirmation of the provision of housing and finances from the host party.

For work visa

A work visa is issued for the following types of trips:

• scientific cooperation;
• agricultural work for the season;
• accompaniment as a parent or family member;
• visiting personal property;
• provision of international passenger cargo transportation services.

Documents for a work visa to Finland:

• questionnaire;
• 2 photos;
• international passport;
• work permit;
• migration card;
• a copy of the pages of the Russian civil passport.

The following documents must be attached to the basic package of documents:

• confirmation of hiring and established payroll from the place of work in Finland;
• an extract from your personal account for travel at the rate of 60 euros for each day of stay in the country.

Any employment without a work visa in the country, except for student internship, is prohibited.

Child visa to Finland

• birth certificate;
• child's questionnaire;
• child's international passport;
• medical insurance policy;
• a notarized power of attorney from one parent if he is not traveling with the child, and the consent of both if the child is traveling accompanied by third parties.

Regardless of whether they have passports, a separate application form is created for each child. If the child does not have a foreign passport, an adhesive mark is added to the parent’s document.

Traveling to Finland in your own car

The following must be attached to the basic list of documents:

• registration certificate;
• Schengen insurance – “Green Card”;
• international driver's license.

Transit visa to Finland

This visa is worth applying for if:

• the waiting time for a transplant will not exceed one day;
• the final destination of the trip is not a Schengen country;
• does not leave the transit air zone.

Permit cost

When applying for a Finnish visa, it is important to take into account the costs associated with the need to pay fees at the Consulate and the Visa Application Center. The following rates apply for 2020:

• The consulate charges 35 € for adults, and 0 € for children under six years of age.
• VC service fee - from 1499 rubles.
• Urgent registration - 70 € (Consulate fee) + CC commission.

To obtain accurate information on the price of a tourist visa to Finland for Russians, you can contact the nearest VC by phone, in person, or view the information online. Payment of fees is made in rubles, taking into account the current exchange rate at the time of application. Payment is made in cash or using a payment bank card.

If the Consulate refuses to provide a visa, the money paid will not be returned.

Where to submit documents

The procedure for obtaining a two-year Finnish Schengen visa is no different from applying for any other short-term visa. There are three ways

.
The easiest way is to pass it on to the tour operator
.
This is possible if you go on a trip on an organized tour
. Your tour operator or travel agency will resolve the visa issue independently or through representatives accredited by the embassy. All you need is a passport and money.

The second method is more expensive, but fast and convenient. We are talking about submitting an application through special visa centers. These are commercial organizations, so they work harmoniously and efficiently

. Addresses of accredited visa centers in Finland are here:

Visa centers of Finland in the Russian Federation: addresses and telephone numbers https://aidazanami.ru/vizovye-tsentry-finlyandii-v-rf-adresa-i-telefony

The third option is for the thrifty and brave: applying for a Finnish visa at the embassy yourself. Suitable for those who have free time and live within transport accessibility from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Murmansk or Petrozavodsk

.
These cities are where the official diplomatic institutions of Finland are located. The procedure is simple: make an appointment - pass the documents - get a visa, and in the process save 20-30 euros per nose on the services of intermediaries
. Read about how to do this without loss here:

How to get a visa to Finland yourself https://aidazanami.ru/kak-poluchit-vizu-v-finlyandiyu-samostoyatelno.html

How to apply for a tourist visa to Finland yourself

If desired, you can obtain the necessary travel permit yourself. For this purpose, there are Visa Centers that help with collecting and filling out documents, thereby minimizing the likelihood of refusal.

To apply for a tourist visa to Finland, you need to go through several steps:

• Decide on the duration of the trip and the type of permit.
• Contact the VC or the Consulate to clarify the issue regarding the requirements for the package of documents.
• Select your nearest Visa Application Center and make an appointment.
• Prepare a package of documentation taking into account the received requirements.
• Come to the CC on the appointed date and time.
• Hand over your documents and undergo fingerprinting. The last procedure is carried out every five years. Children under 12 years of age are exempt from it.
• Pay the required fees. To do this, check in advance how much a tourist visa to Finland costs.
• Wait for the stated period. In many CCs you can control the decision making through the official website.
• Come to the center branch to pick up your stamped passport.

To obtain a permit, you must come in person with identification. It is permissible to involve an intermediary, but on the condition that the latter has a notarized power of attorney.

Where is the Schengen visa to Finland valid in 2021?

The issued visa to Finland 2021 is valid for the following Schengen countries: Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Estonia, Denmark, Sweden, Greece, Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg, Malta and a number of others. In addition, this territory covers a number of countries that are not members of the EU, but also allow entry with a Schengen visa - these are Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway. A separate visa will have to be issued if you need to visit Ireland or the UK, which are not parties to the Schengen Agreement. With a multiple visa you can also visit Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus.

Document requirements

Before visiting the CC, you must collect documents for a tourist visa to Finland, taking into account the stated list. The absence or incorrect execution of any certificate or questionnaire is often the reason for refusal to grant permission. In order to avoid trip disruption, financial and time losses, it is necessary to approach this stage responsibly.

To travel, please prepare:

• Application form for a Finnish visa. Filled in Latin letters. This can be done on paper or online. The required form and assistance in filling it out can be obtained from the Visa Application Center. The application form is signed twice by the applicant.
• Photo . Visa photo requirements are specified in the ICAO standards. Size - 3.5x4.5 cm, the print is placed on matte paper, the eyes must be open. The use of sunglasses and hats is not allowed. The facial expressions are normal, the mouth is closed. Employees of the CC and salons where the photo is taken are required to know these requirements.
• International passport . Must be issued for a period of up to 10 years and be valid for another three months after returning to Russia from Finland. If you have an old foreign passport, you must take it with you.
• Internal passport . A copy of all pages containing information and records is made.
• Agreement with an insurance company (without franchise) . Must be valid in all Schengen countries. The lower threshold of payments upon the occurrence of an insured event is from €30,000. The insurer in which the policy is issued must be accredited by the Finnish Consulate. Children and spouses of EU citizens do not need an agreement with the insurance company.
• Reservation of accommodation and tickets (copies or original).
• Certificate from the employer . It indicates the place of work, position, salary and other data.
• An extract from a credit institution with information about the amount in the account.

The list of documents for obtaining a tourist visa to Finland may change, so it is better to clarify the requirements for the package in advance. When receiving information, it is important to say who exactly will be going abroad, what age the travelers are and the duration of the trip.

For example, when traveling with children, it is also necessary to fill out forms and prepare a package of documents for each minor. In particular, you will need a birth certificate, a passport (if you have one) and an insurance policy. If a child crosses the border only with his mother or father, there is no need to obtain permission from the second parent. The main thing is that the register does not contain a statement of disagreement with the removal of a minor abroad.

What documents are needed

To correctly and quickly obtain a Schengen visa to Finland, you need to collect the following documents:

• original foreign passport - the validity of such a certificate must be at least 90 days at the time of return to the point of departure;
• copies of all pages of the general passport of the Russian Federation, which contain personal information about the applicant - some visa centers and consulates require making copies of even blank pages of the document;
• application form - when filling it out, you must use Finnish or English (all information entered must correspond to the real state of affairs due to the fact that they will be confirmed by accompanying papers) - ;
• a copy of the health insurance policy - there are several requirements for such a certificate, including the amount of coverage, which must be at least 30,000 euros (insurance must cover all extraordinary expenses arising during the trip);
• official certificate from the place of permanent employment - it contains current information about the applicant’s salary, position held and length of service (prepared exclusively on company letterhead, taking into account the indication of individual details) -;
• any document confirming the citizen’s solvency during the trip - this could be, for example, a certificate from an individual bank account;
• a sponsorship letter from a close relative or organization - is drawn up if all expenses will not be fully reimbursed by the traveler himself -;
• copies of transport tickets in both directions;
• evidence of availability of accommodation in the host country - this can be a hotel reservation or a tourist voucher;
• invitation – if the applicant goes on a guest trip;
• standard photographs that meet certain requirements - the dimensions of the images must be 35 by 45 millimeters, and there must be no tinted glasses or other accessories on the face.

Finland visa application form:

Duration of obtaining a tourist visa to Finland

The speed of issuing a permit depends on the workload of the Consulate and the number of requests submitted within 30 days. Since the beginning of February 2020, the European Union has established a maximum period for obtaining a visa permit - no more than 45 days. If documents confirming the need for urgent departure are submitted, the processing takes up to three days. For ordinary tourists, this option is usually not provided.

You can collect and submit documents to obtain a Finnish tourist visa six months before your trip, but no later than 15 days. It is important to be prepared if you are asked to come to the Consulate for an interview. In this case, the period for obtaining a permit will be longer. During the conversation, the consul asks simple questions about the place of employment, the purpose of the trip, etc. If we are talking about a tourist trip, such calls rarely occur.

Types of visas

In 2021, potential travelers can expect to receive the following categories of travel documents:

Many may be interested in the question of how long a Finnish visa is given for the first time.

This directly depends on the purpose of the trip and the relevant permit:

Sample of completed pages of a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation:

Reasons for refusal

According to statistics, the Finnish Consulate rarely assists travelers in issuing a visa. Typically, only 1 in 100 people receive a negative response. Most often, the application is approved automatically and only as a last resort does the consul refuse, when there are gross violations, any documents are missing or there is incorrect registration.

If a tourist visa to Finland is refused, the applicant will be given the following stamps in his or her passport:

• C1 - temporary failure until a certain period;
• C2 - the decision is postponed, you must come for an interview;
• C3 - identification of errors or false information;
• C4 - ban on visiting EU countries.

Most often, applicants are faced with the first three situations. In the case of C1 and C3, it is necessary to clarify the reasons for the refusal, make corrections and resubmit documents for consideration. If your passport is marked C2, you will have to appear for an interview and answer several questions. It's worse if C4 is placed. This means that the person has violated EU law, so such a refusal cannot be challenged.

Preparation of documents

In order to obtain a visa document, the traveler undertakes to collect and submit the necessary certificates. If the traveler lives in a small town where there is no Finnish consulate, all certificates can be provided by an authorized representative if he has the appropriate document.

What you need to provide

To obtain a visa document for two years, the applicant undertakes to provide the consular office with:

1. Valid passport.
2. An old passport with the latest visas to Finland stamped.
3. Photograph (1-2 pieces).
4. A high-quality photocopy of your internal passport.
5. Insurance.
6. Application form.

   

   Sample of filling out an application form for a visa to Finland

7. A document that highlights the purpose of the trip (if the traveler is planning a tourist trip, then this item can be skipped).

For minors

If the traveler is accompanied by a minor, then, in addition to the standard package of documents, the employees of the diplomatic institution must provide the original or a high-quality photocopy of the child’s birth certificate (must be notarized).

Visa readiness check

To find out how much a Finnish visa is being processed, to clarify the status of the decision after carrying out all the procedures, collecting papers and submitting fingerprints, you need to go to the application tracking section on the visa agency website, enter your last name (in Latin letters), date of birth and registration number from the receipt issued to you. Information on the website will be available immediately after the Consulate makes a decision. We do not recommend making calls to the hotline, as you have to spend time waiting for your turn; it is much more convenient to use the help of an electronic service. If you are personally convinced that the decision has already been made, or you have been informed about this by trusted representatives, go get your passport, first taking with you a receipt and confirmation of payment of the visa fee. Courier delivery is also possible, which must be ordered when submitting documents. When contacting our company, you will be able to learn about the status of the decision from the company’s employees, and will also be deprived of the need to visit the Consulate on your own, having immediately received a passport with a visa in hand. To eliminate the risks of refusal or lengthy processing of documents, you can contact our visa agency, which employs exclusively experienced specialists who guarantee the correctness and completeness of the set of documents, the ability to quickly obtain a visa to Finland within a day, and save time and effort. In addition, there is no need to travel far and make an appointment in advance. Our agency provides the best conditions for registration, and saves its clients from unnecessary hassle, worries and wasted nerves.

Is it possible to expedite the processing of the application?

If you are interested in how long it takes to obtain a Finnish visa in an expedited manner, you need to discuss this issue when submitting your application, because after receiving all the documents, it is unlikely that it will be possible to speed up their processing. To avoid unnecessary additional checks, you must carefully collect and prepare all the necessary papers. Remember that with a correctly collected package of documents, the likelihood of being called for an interview and additional consideration of forgiveness is significantly reduced. You must notify the Consulate staff in time of the need to apply for an urgent visa, and provide documentary evidence of the urgency of leaving for family reasons or participating in business negotiations: a letter or an invitation to an event with a specified date. Without a reason, it will not be possible to issue an urgent visa, and after submitting all the papers, the processing time cannot be changed. Expedited visa processing can take only 3 days!

Terms of consideration

It is recommended to submit the visa application form at least a couple of weeks before departure and no earlier than 90 days. This is due to the fact that depending on the current number of visa applications, the processing time for documentation may vary. Before the holidays and during the summer season there is a possibility of time delays.

The Main Consulate of Finland in Russia provides approximate updates every week about how long it takes to obtain a Finnish visa. This is not a guarantee of receiving a visa permit on that day, but they make it possible to understand how long the process may take or by what date to prepare to pick up your passport.

The official processing time for all Schengen visas is up to 10 working days (according to the current visa facilitation agreement). If necessary, this period can be extended to 30 days if additional information or documents are required. Currently, the approximate processing time for a Finnish visa (in practice) is from 6 to 9 days.

Holidays for 2021

On Russian or Finnish holidays, documents may take longer to process because the consulate is not open.

Expedited review

In cases where the consideration of an application needs to be expedited, it is important to indicate this when submitting the application, providing written justification. The opportunity to expedite review exists only until the application is submitted.

. In cases where the purpose of the trip is tourism, it is impossible to speed up the review process.

Urgent processing, as a rule, takes place within three weekdays - this applies only to the category of citizens who live in the territory served by the embassy, ​​which includes all regions of the country except the North-West. In Moscow, applications for urgent consideration are accepted only at the visa center

.
For Russian citizens whose place of residence is more than 500 km from the capital, there is also the possibility of urgent consideration of the application. The fee for urgent processing is 70 euros.

You can receive a passport with a new visa or find out about the decision on this issue either at the visa center during business hours without an appointment, or at the visa department of the embassy on weekdays from 9 a.m. to lunch, an appointment is also not required. You can monitor how quickly a visa to Finland is processed on the visa center website or by contacting the place where you submit your application.

Finland attracts many Russians with its close location, nature, resorts and attractions, social support, and standard of living. The country is open to tourists from Russia, but is a member of the European Union and participates in the Schengen agreement

.
Therefore, to travel to this state you must obtain permission
.
To understand how much a visa to visit Finland costs, you need to determine the purpose of the trip
. The type of permit and the timing of registration depend on this.

Methods for submitting documents

You can get a Finnish visa valid for two years using one of 3 methods. The first method is considered the simplest and therefore it is more popular than the other two. Its essence is that the applicant submits documents through a travel agency.

This method is relevant for anyone who does not have enough time to prepare all the necessary documents.

Map of the location and appearance of the Finnish Consulate in St. Petersburg

The second method of obtaining a Finnish visa is considered the fastest, but also the most expensive. It assumes that the applicant applies to the Finnish VC with a corresponding request.

The third method involves submitting documents to the consular office yourself. This method is economical, but is only suitable for those who have enough free time. In order to apply for a visa to Finland on your own, the applicant must join the queue. This can be done either by phone or on the website of the consular office.