Guide for Finland Visa Requirements
Visiting Finland usually means applying for a Schengen visa first. The visa covers stays of up to 90 days in any 180 days, and Finland runs an online tool that tells you whether your nationality needs one.
Your nationality and circumstances decide what goes into the application. Border police want to see certain documents whichever way you arrive, by land, sea or air, and LUMA covers the travel insurance side of that list.
How can I get a Schengen visa for Finland?
Steps to apply for a Finland visa:
- Identify the correct visa type you require and gather all necessary supporting documents before you start. You may need additional documentation if traveling with children.
- Complete the online visa application form, tailored to your home country's requirements for a Finland visa application.
- Visit the embassy or consular services provider's website to arrange an appointment.
- On the day of your appointment, head to the Visa Application Centre to submit your application and provide biometric data.
- Once processed, you can collect your passport directly from the Centre, or choose an Express Courier Return option for delivery if available.
Requirements change, so check the official Finland visa site or contact your local Finland Embassy or Consulate before you apply.
Finland Schengen Visa Document Checklist
For a Finland tourist Schengen visa, you need:
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application form.
- Valid passport, issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area, with at least 2 blank pages.
- Two recent passport-style photos, meeting Schengen visa photo specifications.
- Travel and medical insurance covering at least €30,000, valid across the entire Schengen Area for your full trip.
- Cover letter or itinerary explaining the purpose and dates of your visit.
- Proof of accommodation, a confirmed hotel booking or private stay invitation, for your full stay.
- Round-trip or onward flight itinerary. Book it only after your visa is approved. The application needs flight details, but a non-refundable ticket bought before approval is money you lose if the answer is no.
- Proof of financial means and employment, as required for your situation.
- Proof of civil status where relevant, such as a marriage certificate, if applicable.
- Employed applicants also submit recent pay slips, an employment contract, and a letter from their employer confirming leave.
- Third-country residents may need to show a residence permit.
- Minors under 18 generally need notarized proof of family relation or guardianship, travel permission from parents or guardians, and copies of parents' IDs.
Proving Financial Means for Your Finland Visa Application
Finland accepts bank account statements, deposit or savings, showing three months of transactions. Where someone else is funding the trip, a sponsorship letter works instead, backed by their own financial documentation.
Finland visa for Thai citizens
Thai citizens are not visa-exempt and need to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa using the standard document checklist above, submitted through the Finnish embassy or an authorized visa application center.
- Visa application form with a recent, unedited photograph, completed, dated, and signed by the applicant.
- Bring your passport or travel document plus 2 copies of the ID page. It needs at least 3 months of validity after the planned journey, an issue date within the previous 10 years, and 2 blank pages minimum.
- Travel insurance: The insurance must cover:
- Cost of repatriation for medical reasons or death.
- Urgent healthcare and emergency hospital treatment for the entire stay and throughout the Schengen area.
- Any expenses that might arise with Covid-19 or repatriation for medical reasons.
- Coverage must be at least €30,000 or its equivalent in local currency.
- If the application is for a multiple-entry visa, the medical insurance must be valid for the first planned entry. LUMA Travel Insurance is highly recommended as it meets all these requirements.
- Prove your itinerary with a detailed plan covering all your destinations.
- Show transport reservations, meaning a round-trip flight reservation that includes any third countries and other Schengen countries. Buying tickets before the visa decision isn't recommended. On an organized trip, proof from the travel agent or tour operator confirms the booking.
- Show accommodation for the whole stay, across every destination on the journey. Paying for it before the visa decision arrives isn't recommended either.
- Provide a national ID as proof of identity, along with a copy of any name change certificate.
- Prove your employment with a letter on official letterhead, stamped and dated, carrying contact information (address, email, telephone number) plus the name, position, and signature of the countersigning officer. It states your name and position, your salary, years of employment or study, approval of absence, your position after leave, and information about the visit. Self-employed applicants show evidence of business ownership through company registration.
- Prove your financial means with pay slips or a bank account statement covering the previous three months. Bank book statements aren't accepted. The statement carries the account holder's name and comes in English.
- Students prove studies with a letter on official letterhead, stamped and dated, carrying contact information (address, email, telephone number), the name, position, and signature of the countersigning officer. It states your name and position, years of study, approval of absence, your position after leave, and your return after the journey.
- Third-country citizens, meaning non-Thai nationals, need a copy of a valid Thai residence or work permit, with the original shown at submission. It stays valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area.
- Travelling with minors means a birth certificate, proof of custody, and a letter of consent from the legal guardian where applicable.
- Visa fees vary depending on the type of Finland Visa you require and other circumstances.
- Finland Schengen Visa Application Appointments can be made via VFS Global, the official partner of the Finland Embassy for visa processing. Finland Visa applications can only be processed in Bangkok.
- VFS also provides an online document checklist which is recommended for review before attending your Finland visa application appointment.
Finland visa for Malaysian citizens
Malaysian citizens don't need a visa to enter Finland for tourism or business if the stay doesn't exceed 90 days within a 6-month period. Exemptions shift, so it’s worth confirming the current requirements before you travel, since exemptions can shift.
Finland Visa for Vietnamese Citizens
Vietnamese citizens are not visa-exempt and need to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa using the standard document checklist above, submitted through the Finnish embassy or an authorized visa application center.
- Visa application form with a recent, unedited photograph: The Schengen visa application form shall be duly completed, dated, and signed by the applicant.
- Bring your passport or travel document with 2 copies of the ID page. At least 3 months of validity after the journey, issued within the previous 10 years, with a minimum of 2 blank pages.
- Travel insurance: The insurance must cover:
- Cost of repatriation for medical reasons or death.
- Urgent healthcare and emergency hospital treatment for the entire stay and throughout the Schengen area.
- Any expenses that might arise with Covid-19 or repatriation for medical reasons.
- Coverage must be at least €30,000 or its equivalent in local currency.
- If the application is for a multiple-entry visa, the medical insurance must be valid for the first planned entry. LUMA Travel Insurance is highly recommended as it meets all these requirements.
- Prove your itinerary with a detailed plan listing every destination.
- Show transport reservations, meaning a round-trip flight reservation covering possible third countries and other Schengen countries. Hold off on buying tickets until the visa decision comes through. Travelling on an organized trip? Proof from the travel agent or tour operator confirms the tour booking.
- Show accommodation covering the full stay, across all destinations on the journey. Again, avoid paying for it before the decision arrives.
- Provide a national ID as proof of identity, plus a copy of any name change certificate.
- Prove your employment with a letter on official letterhead, stamped and dated, carrying contact information (address, email, telephone number), the name, position, and signature of the countersigning officer. It states your name and position, salary, years of employment or study, approval of absence, position after leave, and information about the visit. Self-employed applicants show business ownership through company registration.
- Prove your means of subsistence with pay slips or a bank account statement covering transactions for the previous three months. Bank book statements aren't accepted. The statement carries the account holder's name and comes in English.
- Students prove their studies with a letter on official letterhead, stamped and dated, carrying contact information (address, email, telephone number), the name, position, and signature of the countersigning officer. It states your name and position, years of study, approval of absence, position after leave, and return after the journey.
- Travelling with minors means a birth certificate, proof of custody, and a letter of consent from the legal guardian where applicable.
- Visa fees vary depending on the type of visa you require and other circumstances.
- Finland Schengen Visa Application Appointments can be made via VFS Global, the official partner of the Finland Embassy for visa processing. Finland Visa applications can only be processed in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
- Full types of visa and whether you need one are covered on Finland's official site for Vietnam.
- VFS also provides an online document checklist, which is recommended for review before attending your Finland visa application appointment.
Finland visa for Indonesian citizens
Indonesian citizens are not visa-exempt and need to apply for a short-stay Schengen visa using the standard document checklist, submitted through the Finnish embassy or an authorized visa application center.
- Visa application form with a recent photograph, completed, dated, and signed by the applicant.
- Bring your passport or travel document and 2 copies of the ID page. Minimum 3 months validity after the planned journey, issued in the last 10 years, at least 2 blank pages.
- Travel insurance: The insurance must cover:
- Cost of repatriation for medical reasons or death.
- Urgent healthcare and emergency hospital treatment for the entire stay and throughout the Schengen area.
- Any expenses that might arise with Covid-19 or repatriation for medical reasons.
- Coverage must be at least €30,000 or its equivalent in local currency.
- If the application is for a multiple-entry visa, the medical insurance must be valid for the first planned entry. LUMA Travel Insurance is highly recommended as it meets all these requirements.
- Prove your itinerary with a detailed plan including all destinations.
- Show transport reservations, meaning a round-trip flight reservation including possible third countries and other Schengen countries. Wait for the visa decision before purchasing. On an organized trip, the travel agent or tour operator confirms the booking.
- Show accommodation for the entire stay, across all destinations. Avoid paying before the decision arrives.
- Provide a national ID as proof of identity, with a copy of any name change certificate.
- Prove your employment with a letter on official letterhead, stamped and dated, carrying contact information (address, email, telephone number), the name, position, and signature of the countersigning officer. It states your name and position, salary, years of employment or study, approval of absence, position after leave, and information about the visit. Self-employed applicants show business ownership through company registration.
- Prove your financial means with pay slips or a bank account statement for the previous three months. Bank book statements aren't accepted. The statement needs the account holder's name on it and has to be in English.
- Students prove studies with a letter on official letterhead, stamped and dated, carrying contact information (address, email, telephone number), the name, position, and signature of the countersigning officer. It states your name and position, years of study, approval of absence, position after leave, and return after the journey.
- Travelling with minors means a birth certificate, proof of custody, and a letter of consent from the legal guardian where applicable.
- Visa fees vary depending on the type of visa you require and other circumstances.
- Finland Schengen Visa Application Appointments can be made via VFS Global, the official partner of the Finland Embassy for visa processing. Finland Visa applications can be processed in Bali and Jakarta.
Finland visa for Singapore citizens
Singaporean citizens similarly don't need a visa to enter Finland for the same 90-day tourism or business window. It's worth confirming the official Finland visa application requirements before finalizing travel plans.
How Do I Get a Student Visa for Finland
An overview of the requirements for a Finland student visa:
- Application form and photo. Complete Schengen form.
- Passport. Valid for 3+ months post-trip, issued within the last 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages.
- Medical insurance covering the entire Schengen Area for your full trip, with a minimum coverage of €30,000. LUMA Travel Insurance is highly recommended as it meets all these requirements.
- Transport. Round-trip flight details, best booked after visa approval.
- Stay. Hotel bookings or a private stay invitation.
- Visit purpose. A letter from the inviting organization.
- Employment and finances: proof as required for your situation.
- Third-country residents. A residence permit.
- Minors under 18. Notarized family relationship or guardianship proof, travel permissions, and parents' IDs.
- Further details are available on the official Finland visa application page.
What is the cost of a Schengen visa for Finland?
The cost of obtaining a Schengen Visa can vary based on the applicant’s age, visa type, and nationality. As of the last update on 11 June 2024, the general visa fee structure for the Schengen visa is as follows:
- Adults: €90
- Children aged 6–12: €45
- Children under 6: Free
However, there are certain exceptions and reductions:
- Reduced fees or waivers may apply for students or postgraduates and accompanying teachers on educational trips.
- Individuals travelling for scientific research may benefit from reduced fees.
- Diplomatic passport holders can obtain a visa for free.
- Certain categories of applicants from countries with Visa Facilitation Agreements with the Schengen states may be subject to a reduced visa fee of EUR 35.
- National visas or Type D visas, intended for longer stays or any other Schengen country, might have a different fee structure.
Fees are non-refundable, even if your visa application is rejected. Additionally, visa processing agencies or centres might charge an additional service fee.
Is travel insurance mandatory for a Finland visa?
Yes, travel and medical insurance is mandatory for any Schengen visa application, including Finland's. Your insurance needs to be valid for all 29 countries in the Schengen Area, covering accidents and illness, with a minimum coverage of €30,000, even for countries you don't plan to visit.
Consulates check this closely. Policies get rejected for the wrong coverage limit, the wrong date range, or cover that stops at the Finnish border instead of extending across the zone.
Choosing Travel Insurance for Your Finland Trip
Meeting the €30,000 minimum is the starting point for a Finland Schengen visa, but it's worth thinking about what you actually want from a policy beyond satisfying that requirement.
LUMA Travel Insurance is built around exactly this kind of trip. Coverage starts at €30,000, matching the visa minimum directly, and it's designed to work whether you're planning a single Finland trip or multiple trips across Europe within the year. It covers a wide range of traveler ages, and it's structured with Southeast Asian departures specifically in mind, useful if that's where your trip is starting from.
A few things worth knowing about LUMA's Schengen coverage:
- Coverage starting at €30,000, meeting the Schengen visa insurance minimum directly.
- Flexible options for both individual trips and travelers making multiple trips within a year.
- A wide eligibility range, covering travelers from young children through older adults.
- An easy online application, with your insurance certificate delivered by email.
- Wide embassy acceptance, intended to make the visa application process smoother rather than adding friction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Standard processing runs up to 15 calendar days for tourism, visiting family or friends, study, or sports. The embassy can extend that to 45 days in individual cases or during high season, so apply well ahead of peak periods.
It's not required for the application, and it's genuinely risky to do. The application needs your travel dates and an itinerary, but a non-refundable ticket booked before approval means losing that money if the visa is denied. Many applicants book a fully refundable or cancellable itinerary first and confirm the real booking only after approval.
Not for a standard short-stay tourist visa. Medical certificates are more commonly required for longer-stay or specific visa categories, and requirements can vary by applicant, so it's worth confirming directly with your local Finland visa application team or consulate before assuming either way.
Yes. Finland provides an online visa-need tool through the official Finland visa application system, letting you check based on your nationality and travel purpose before starting a full application.
All 29 Schengen Area member states, not just Finland. Your insurance and visa both need to account for the entire zone, even countries you don't plan to visit.
You can obtain a medical certificate from your own doctor before making your visa application. It's worth checking with your local Finland visa application team, the consulate, or service provider for any country-specific requirements before applying.
Visa refusals are always notified in writing, explaining why. You can submit an appeal for reconsideration to the relevant Consular Office within 1 month of the day following the date you receive the refusal notification.
Yes. Under the Schengen rules, a Schengen visa is generally valid for travel throughout the Schengen Area. One important rule: you must apply for your Finland visa at the consulate of your primary destination.
As immigration requirements can change at short notice, it's worth contacting your travel agent or the Embassy of Finland in your home country for the latest information before finalizing plans.
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