Visa instructions

You can apply for a visa if the lenght of your stay in Finland is maximum of three months. If your stay exceeds three months, you should apply for a residence permit.

Please note that from 1st October, 2010, the Embassy will accept only the E-passport from the Nigerian applicants. This is because the Nigerian Immigration Service has informed that the Nigerian old machine readable passport will stop being in use by December 2010. As a result of that, the Embassy cannot issue visas on the old passport three months before the expiry date. The Embassy at the moment does not accept the old passport if it has been renewed on the observation page.

The processing time for a visa is 10 calender days.

To apply for a tourist visa to Finland you need

• the application form which is carefully filled in and signed by the applicant before coming to the embassy.
• the applications will have to be submitted personally. All the applicants will be interviewed.
• an international passport which is valid at least three months after the journey
• one (1) passport size photograph with white background (coloured backgrounds will not be accepted)
• reservation for accommodation and/or a letter of sponsorship from the host in Finland
• copy of the flight reservation. Do not buy tickets before a visa has been issued!

• Visa application form 

In addition to the above you need

For a business visa

• a letter of invitation from the Finnish company/companies
• a letter of authorization from the company you represent
• company's tax clearance
• company's registration documents

For attending a conference

• acceptance from the organizer and proof of payment for the conference
• introductory letter from the applicant's office

Please note that the applicant is to provide all the documents together with his/her application form. Documents (invitations etc) should not be sent directly to the embassy.

After the visa has been granted, the following documents must be presented

• return flight ticket
• proof of sufficient funds in foreign exchange
• health and travel insurance issued by an accredited Schengen insurance policy company, please refer to: Insurance companies accepted by Schengen countries

Please be prepared to provide more information and documents if required by the Embassy officials.

Visa payment

• Please refer to: Service fees and payment instruction

Residents of Ghana and Benin

If You are a citizen of Ghana, Benin or living legally and permanently in one of these countries, You may apply for a visa to Finland in the following Embassies (which represent Finland in visa matters)

In Ghana:

• Royal Danish Embassy
   

In Benin:

• Embassy of Netherlands