Finland Visa From India – How to Apply for Finnish Schengen Visa Application Requirements Guide
Finland is one of the 26 Schengen countries and it seems to have it all, making it a great destination to visit. The capital city of Helsinki is a good place to start with lots to see and do. You’ll find historical areas in the center of Finland, forests and lakes in the east and you can go skiing or spot some reindeer in Lapland! In this article, learn more about how to apply for a Finland visa from India, Finland visa appointment booking, processing time at the Finland visa application center, flight itinerary for a Finland visa, hotel bookings for a Finland visa, Schengen travel insurance for a Finland visa application, and Finland visa application process in India.
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Finland Schengen Visas
61,015 Schengen visa applications for Finland were received by embassies around the world in 2021. 2,745 (4.7%) were rejected. The Embassy of Finland in New Delhi received 376 applications and rejected 66 (19.9%).
Applying for a Finland Schengen Visa from India
To apply for a visa for Finland from India, you must be a natural citizen of India or have the legal right to reside in the country if you were not born there.
Once your application is handed in, the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi will process it and you will receive an answer within 15 days. Please note, it could take longer depending on whether the embassy needs to do further checks. You can apply no more than 6 months ahead of your trip.
Even though the embassy is responsible for processing visa applications, you will submit your application to VFS Global. There are offices across India in Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi.
Types of Schengen visas offered at The Embassy of Finland in India
There are different visas that you may apply for and it is important that you apply for the correct one:
- Schengen C visa – for trips up to 90 days for tourism, visiting family/friends etc.
- Residence permit – for trips over 90 days for work, study etc. More information about residence permits can be found on the embassy’s website
Visas are usually issued as one of the following:
- Single-entry visa – allows the holder to enter Finland once and stay for up to 90 days
- Double-entry visa – allows entry into Finland twice and may be valid within the Schengen area for up to 90 days
- Multiple-entry visa – is granted for several consecutive visits to the Schengen area. The total duration of the stays may not exceed 90 days. A multiple-entry visa is valid for a maximum of 5 years
- Airport transit visa – allows the visa holder to transit via the international zone of the airport during a stopover or change between two flights. Citizens of the following countries need a transit visa: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka
How Can I Apply for a Finland Schengen Visa from VFS Global in India?
There are several steps to follow when you apply for your visa.
- Step 1 – Identify visa type
- Step 2 – Begin your application
- Step 3 – Book an appointment
- Step 4 – Visit a Visa Application Center
- Step 5 – Pay your fees
- Step 6 – Track your application
- Step 7 – Collect your passport
Step 1 – Identify visa type
The first thing you need to do is identify the correct visa to apply for. Go to VFS Global’s website and click on “Start now”:
Go to “step 1 – identify visa type” and click on the link for “visa type”:
On the next page, you will then see information about visa fees, documents required, photos etc. Read this fully before proceeding to the next step:
Step 2 – Begin your application
The next step is to begin your application. To complete your application form online, go to “step 2” and click on the first link:
You will be directed to the online application form. Click on the link to start an online application:
Then, you will need to create an account before signing in and completing the online application form:
If you would prefer to print the application to complete it, click on the second link:
You will be directed to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Finland. Scroll down and click the link for the application form in your chosen language:
Then you can save the form to your computer:
Regardless of whether you complete it online or manually, you must print the form and make sure it is completed in full and signed.
Step 3 – Book an appointment
Making appointments with the embassy, consulate or visa application center is generally free and can be done yourself. However, If you are running short of time or not sure which consulate to apply to or have no idea how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!
Booking a visa appointment using our services is pretty simple! All you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:
- Visit the link to schedule the visa appointment
- Submit the appointment details, the visa you are applying for, consulate you need the appointment for, the country you need the appointment IN and make the payment
- Receive appointment confirmation in email
You can also make an appointment on your own by following the steps below.
- Go to “step 3” and click on the link to book an appointment
- Click on the link to book now
- Create an account with VFS Global
- Log in and make your appointment
Step 4 – Visit a visa application center
On the day of your appointment:
- Aim to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment
- You must attend the appointment for your visa application. You cannot send someone in your place
- Only applicants and one parent/legal guardian accompanying a child under 18 years are permitted to enter the Visa Application Center
- Printed copies of your visa application, passport bio page, as well as valid passport or travel document with at least 2 empty pages are required
- All supporting documentation (originals and copies) is required
- Children under 18 years old need to be accompanied by an adult and this cannot be a member of VFS Global staff
- If you miss your appointment on the scheduled day, you will need to book a new appointment after 24 hours from your original appointment date
You may also be asked questions about your trip. If this happens, just answer truthfully. Example questions include:
- What do you know about Finland?
- How will you fund your trip?
- What are you going to do in Finland?
- What job do you do in India?
Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!
Step 5 – Pay your fees
The visa fees are paid in INR by debit/credit card or cash. The fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Category | VISA FEES(EURO) | VISA FEES (INR) |
---|---|---|
Schengen visa | EUR 80 | INR 6600 |
Visa fee for children 6-11 years | EUR 40 | INR 3300 |
Visa fee for the citizens of the following countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russian Federation, Serbia, Ukraine | EUR 35 | INR 2900 |
Visa for children under 6 years, family members of EU citizens and school pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake stays for the purpose of study or educational training | EUR 0 | INR 0 |
TYPE | Euro | INR |
---|---|---|
VFS Service fee | 83.96 | 1847 |
Step 6 – Track your application
You can track your application by going to “step 6 – track your application” and clicking on the link:
On the next page, click on the link:
Key in your reference number and date of birth:
Step 7 – Collect your passport
Please check with VFS Global at the time of submission for the options available to collect your passport.
In case you have to collect your passport in person, you need to take the receipt, issued by VFS Global, and your ID.
The decision will be either:
- Accepted – you will find your visa attached to one of the pages in your passport
- Rejected – if your application is rejected, you have the right to appeal the decision within 30 days. See the embassy’s website for more information and the costs involved
Reasons for a rejected application include:
- Your passport is out of date – if you do not have a valid passport you must get a new one before applying for your visa
- The embassy has good reasons to doubt that you do not intend to exit the Schengen area before the expiry of the visa that you are applying for – your visa will be issued for a limited time and you must prove that you will leave before it expires
- You may have an entry ban to Finland – if this is the case, you will not be allowed to enter Finland or any Schengen state
- Missing documents – you must provide everything that is required for your visa application, so check what documents are required before you submit your application
Documents Required
Check the embassy’s website to find out what documents are required for your visa application. You should also submit photocopies along with original documents.
Documents include:
- The visa application form completed and signed
- One photograph (see full photograph specifications)
- A passport – make sure your passport is valid for at least three (3) months after the end of your intended travel and that it has been issued no later than ten (10) years ago
- Travel insurance – must be in force for the period of the validity of the visa and cover the entire Schengen area. The minimum coverage of the policy must be EUR 30,000 and the insurance must cover expenses arising from a sudden illness and accident (also the patient’s repatriation) and repatriation expenses in case of death.
- Supporting documents to show the purpose, conditions and duration of the visit. For example, hotel reservations, flight tickets, a private or official invitation letter
- Information concerning the itinerary, means of transport and assets and employment
- Proof of sufficient financial means to cover the duration and purpose of the stay and the cost of living in the country. In Finland, a minimum of EUR 30 a day is required
- Parental consent is required for minors
- Interview – the mission may also ask you for a personal interview to find out about the purpose of your visit
If you’re planning to obtain your flight reservation for visa without paying for the ticket, all you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:
- Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
- Submit the travel details and make the payment online
- Receive flight itinerary in email
COVID REGULATIONS
You can enter Finland if you have:
- a certificate of a complete and valid vaccination series. At least 7 days must have passed since the last vaccination
- a single certificate that you have recovered from covid-19 and have had one vaccination
- EU digital COVID certificate that proves you have recovered from covid-19 within the last 6 months
All the above-mentioned requirements apply to people born in 2006 or earlier.
In addition, for those traveling with short-term visas (C-visa), it is not possible to transit through Finland to another country (for example to meet relatives).
For more information, you can check the website of the Finnish Border Guard.
How to contact VFS Global in India
Bangalore – Currently closed
Chennai
Address: Visa Application Center, Fagun Towers, Third Floor, No 74, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore, Chennai, 600 008 India
Hours: Monday to Wednesday, 09.00 – 16.00 (Submissions)/ Monday to Friday, 09.00 – 16.00 (Passport collections)
Hyderabad – Currently closed
Kolkata
Address: Visa Application Center, 5th Floor, Rene Tower, Building No. 1842, Rajdanga Main Road, (Landmark: Near Geetanjali Stadium) Rajdanga, Kolkata 700107 India
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 09.00 – 14.00
Mumbai
Address: Visa Application Center, Urmi Axis Building, Second Floor, Behind Famous Studio, Opp. E Moses Road, Mahalaxmi (West), Mumbai – 400 011
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 09.00 – 16.00
New Delhi
Address: Visa Application Center, Shivaji Stadium Metro Station, Mezzanine Level Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place New Delhi 110001 India
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 09.00 – 16.00 (Submissions)/ Monday to Friday, 09.00 – 16.00 (Passport collections)
Helpline
Please contact VFS Global for any information regarding the visa process:
Tel: 022-67866026 (Monday to Friday 08:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs except on Embassy holidays)
Email: finlandvisain@vfshelpline.com
Conclusion
To apply for a Finland visa from the Embassy of Finland in India, follow these simple steps:
- Step 1 – Identify visa type
- Step 2 – Begin your application
- Step 3 – Book an appointment
- Step 4 – Visit a visa application center
- Step 5 – Pay your fees
- Step 6 – Track your application
- Step 7 – Collect your passport
At Visa Reservation, we strive to simplify the visa process by providing free visa consultations, cover letter templates and no objection letter templates for our clients from US, UK, Canada, Philippines, India, China, UAE, Europe, Nigeria and globally. We also offer flight itinerary for visa, travel medical insurance, hotel reservations for visa , Book Visa Appointment, Travel Guides, Visa Interview Guides and many more. To learn more about how we can help you with our visa services, please feel free to contact us today.
See Also
Apply For France Schengen Visa From India
Apply For Italy Schengen Visa From India
Apply For Spain Schengen Visa From India
Apply For Germany Schengen Visa From India
Apply For Austria Schengen Visa From India
Apply For Netherlands Schengen Visa From India
Apply For Switzerland Schengen Visa From India
Apply For Greece Schengen Visa From India
Apply For Denmark Schengen Visa From India
Apply For Belgium Schengen Visa From India
Apply For Sweden Schengen Visa From India