Finland Visa From Nigeria – How to Apply for Finnish Schengen Visa Application Requirements Guide

One Schengen country you really should visit is Finland. Wherever you travel in this lovely destination, you’ll find something that’s right up your street! In the south, you can discover the capital – Helsinki. There are plenty of other interesting towns across the country too. There are forests and lakes if you prefer country life or you could travel to Lapland to see reindeer or spend the day skiing! In this article, learn more about how to apply for a Finland visa from Nigeria, Finland visa appointment booking, processing time at the Finland visa application centre, 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 Nigeria.

Image by LTapsaH @ Pixabay

Finland Schengen Visas

In 2019, 895,775 visa applications for Finland were received by embassies around the world. 16,894 were not issued. The Embassy of Finland in Abuja, received 721 applications and rejected just over half (486/50.1%).

Applying for a Finland Schengen Visa from Nigeria

If you are a citizen of Nigeria and you want to go to Finland, you will need to apply for a visa.

Visa applications must be submitted to VFS Global in Abuja. Once handed in, your application will be sent to the Embassy of Finland in Abuja for processing.

You may apply for your visa at least 15 days and up to 6 months before you travel. Applications are processed within 15 days, but the time could be longer if the embassy needs more information or further documents are requested.

Types of Schengen visas offered at VFS Global in Nigeria

The visa you apply for will depend on:

1. The duration of your trip
2. The purpose of your trip

VFS Global accept applications for short-stay visas only which means for trips up to 90 days. If you wish to go to Finland for longer than 90 days, you should contact the embassy for more information.

It is your responsibility to apply for the correct one, so you should look at all the information before you apply. You can do this on VFS Global’s website.

Types of visa:

1. Tourist visa – for leisure, recreation or sightseeing
2. Business –  for meetings, conferences, training, trade fairs etc. Please note, if you are going to work in Finland you need to obtain a residence permit which you can apply for through the embassy
3. Visiting family and friends – for visiting family members or friends legally residing in Finland
4. Conference, fair, seminar, congress  – for cultural purposes in Finland
5. Official purposes in Finland
6. Research or training in Finland

Airport Transit visa  – allows the visa holder to transit via the international zone of the airport during a stopover or change between two flights. You are not permitted to leave this zone. Citizens of the following countries need a transit visa:

1. Afghanistan
2. Bangladesh
3. Eritrea
4. Ethiopia
5. Ghana
6. Iraq
7. Iran
8. Democratic Republic of Congo
9. Nigeria
10. Pakistan
11. Somalia
12. Sri Lanka

Visas are usually issued as:

1. Single-entry – allows the holder to enter Finland once and stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period
2. Double-entry – allows entry into Finland twice and are valid within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period
3. Multiple-entry –  is granted for several consecutive visits to the Schengen area. The total duration of the stays may not exceed 90 days in a 180-day period.  A multiple-entry visa is valid for a maximum of five (5) years

How Can I Apply for a Finland Schengen Visa from VFS Global in Nigeria?

Go to VFS Global’s website and click on “Apply for a visa”:

On the next page, you will see that there are several steps you need to follow when you apply for a visa.

1. Step 1 – Identify visa type
2. Step 2 – Begin your application
3. Step 3 – Book an appointment
4. Step 4 – Visit a visa application center
5. Step 5  – Pay your fees
6. Step 6 – Track your application
7. Step 7 – Collect your passport

Step 1 – Identify visa type

The first thing you’ll need to do is to make sure the visa you are applying for is the correct one. Click on “visa type”:

On the next page, you will see different tabs for everything you need to know about applying for your visa. Read this before you apply.

Step 2 – Begin your application

When you are ready to apply, download your visa application form. Click on the link:

On the next page, click on the link to start your online application form:

You will need to create an account before completing your application form:

You can also download the visa application form, complete it, print the completed form, and take it to VFS Global for submission.

Step 3 – Book an appointment

Making appointments with the embassy, consulate or visa application centre 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 on 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:

1. Visit the link to schedule the visa appointment
2. 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
3. Receive appointment confirmation in email

You can also make an appointment on your own by following the steps below.

1. Go to VFS Global’s website and go to “step 3 – book an appointment”
2. Click on the link
3. Click on “book now”
4. Register as a new user
5. Log into your account and make a suitable appointment day and time
6. Receive a confirmation email

Step 4 – Visit a visa application center

You must submit your visa application to VFS Global in person.

There are a few things you need to do:

1. Aim to arrive 15 minutes before your appointment
2. You must attend the appointment for your visa application in person
3. Take 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
4. Take all supporting documentation (originals and copies)
5. Submit your fingerprints and photograph. This is known as biometric information collection. Without this, your application will not be processed

You may also be asked questions about your trip. If this happens, simply answer honestly. Example questions include:

1. What are you going to do in Finland?
2. Are you going alone?
3. Do you know anyone in Finland?
4. What is your salary?

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

Methods of payment for visa fees:

At VFS Global, you can pay by cash or credit/debit card. The visa fee and service charge are paid at Bank Implant inside VFS Centre. Take a photocopy of the first page of your passport while paying the service fee and the visa fee at the bank. The fees are non-refundable.

There is also a service fee payable to VFS Global:

Step 6 – Track your application

To track the status of your application, go to “step 6 – track your application” and click on the link:

Click on the next link:

Key in your reference number and date of birth:

Step 7 – Collect your passport

When a decision has been reached, your passport will be returned to VFS Global. You will have the option to:

1. Collect your passport from VFS Global –  take the receipt issued and ID
2. Pay to have your passport returned to your home address via courier – see more information regarding additional services on VFS Global’s website

The decision will be either:

1. Approved – you will find your new visa attached to one of the pages in your passport
2. Rejected – your application has been rejected for a particular reason. You can appeal the decision. For further information regarding this, click here

Reasons for a rejected visa application include:

1. Your passport is not valid – you must have a valid passport or travel document (see requirements below)
2. The purpose of your trip is not clear – you must state the reason for your trip and verify this with the documents you provide such as a travel itinerary or confirmation of a meeting etc
3. You are not entitled to return to the country of origin – you must be a citizen of the country you are applying from and/or have proof that you are a legal resident there
4. The embassy thinks you will not leave the Schengen area before the expiry of the visa – you are permitted to stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days (or longer if you have the correct visa) and you must prove that you intend to leave before the visa ends

Documents Required

You will need to gather specific documents to submit along with your visa application form. There are checklists available on VFS Global’s website, so take a look at these before applying. If you fail to submit everything, your application could be refused. You should also prepare photocopies as well as providing the original documents, so don’t forget to do that too!

Documents include:

1.  Schengen visa application form duly completed, dated and signed by the applicant (signatures in the
   field 37, field “multi-visa” in case of multientry and at the end of the application)
2. Colour passport photograph; maximum 6 months old, 35 – 40 mm., background must be plain light-coloured, neutral face expression. The photo must not be edited. See full photograph specifications 
   
3. Original valid passport/travel document and one photocopy of it (ID page and all pages containing markings). Must be valid for a minimum of 3 months after the planned journey and issued within the previous 10 years and have at least 2 blank pages
4. Previous passports if any
5. Valid National ID–card or residence permit. Permit must be valid at least 3 months after the departure
   from the Schengen area
6. Individual travel medical insurance covering the entire duration of the trip to Schengen area. The minimum coverage of 30 000 euros, non-deductible, covering: emergency medical expenses, hospital treatment, repatriation for medical reasons or death. It must be valid in the whole Schengen area or  worldwide
7. Round trip airline ticket reservation  & travel plan/itinerary including all destinations of the journey. 
8. Proof of accommodation for the whole duration of the intended stay – hotel reservation etc
   
9. Employment letter on official company letterhead, stamped and dated; containing contact address, email, telephone number) as well as name, position and signature of the countersigning officer. The letter must state the name and position of the applicant, salary, years of employment and approval of absence
10. Original Tax Clearance Certificate and certificate of Business Incorporation for businessmen
11. For scholars (professors, scholarship-holders, lecturers, instructors etc.) and students, letter from school or university
12. Proof of ties to Nigeria, original documents such as marriage certificate, child’s birth certificates, legal proof of real estate or other properties, etc
13. Proof of financial means – 3 months bank statement, salary slips, regular incomes generated by property etc
14. For minors – letter of consent from both parents/legal guardians, official proof of guardianship, if applicable.
    Original and one copy of birth certificate of the minor, naming mother and father & ID cards/passports of both parents/legal guardians
15. Invitation letter stating name, address, relationship to host and duration of stay (if applicable)

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:

1. Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
2. Submit the travel details and make the payment online
3. Receive flight itinerary in email

COVID REGULATIONS

Entry Requirements

Vaccinated travelers

If you are fully vaccinated, you may be granted entry into Finland from any country, provided that at least 7 days have passed since the last vaccine dose has been received. For more information about acceptable vaccines, check THL’s website.

When you arrive in Finland and you have a vaccination certificate and the last dose was given at least 7 days ago, or a certificate of a laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease that has been diagnosed within 6 months, you do not need to participate in coronavirus tests when entering the country.

Unvaccinated travelers

If you have not been vaccinated against Covid-19, you must have one of the following reasons for entering Finland:

1. Returning to Finland – Finnish/EU nationals and their family members, third-country nationals residing in Finland with a residence permit & UK citizens and their family members residing in Finland
2. Essential reason – work that is significant for the functioning of society or supply security, health care, rescue service and elderly care professionals, people traveling on a Finnish residence permit
3. Special groups such as representatives of culture, sports and business life

Click here for full information regarding essential reasons to travel.

In addition, you must present certificates related to COVID-19 and/or participate in a mandatory health check-up and/or a coronavirus test.

When you arrive in Finland and you have a certificate of a negative result in a coronavirus test taken no more than 72 hours before the arrival in Finland OR of the first dose of a coronavirus vaccination course obtained at least 14 days before arrival, you must participate in a coronavirus test within 3 to 5 days, i.e., no earlier than 72 hours and no later than 120 hours after arriving in Finland.

When you come to Finland and you do not have any of the above certificates, you must participate in a coronavirus test both at the point of entry and within 3 to 5 days after arriving in Finland.

When you come to Finland and you have participated in a coronavirus test at the point of entry, you must participate in another test within 3 to 5 days after arriving in Finland.

You can use the FINENTRY service either before traveling or during your journey to get guidance on travel to Finland, to book an appointment for a coronavirus test in Finland, to receive SMS instructions and to obtain the result of the test on your mobile.

How to contact VFS Global in Abuja, Nigeria

Address: Visa Application Centre, Sterling Bank Plaza, 3rd Floor, Plot 1083, Mohammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja, Nigeria

Hours:

Email: info.finland.ng@vfshelpline.com

Tel: +2348150188800 (08:00 – 15:00)

Conclusion

To apply for a Finland visa from the Embassy of Finland/VFS Global in Nigeria, follow these simple steps:

1. Step 1 – Identify visa type
2. Step 2 – Begin your application
3. Step 3 – Book an appointment
4. Step 4 – Visit a visa application center
5. Step 5 – Pay your fees
6. Step 6 – Track your application
7. 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 Nigeria

Apply for Spain Schengen Visa From Nigeria

Apply for Italy Schengen Visa From Nigeria

Apply for Germany Schengen Visa From Nigeria

Apply for Denmark Schengen Visa From Nigeria

Apply for Norway Schengen Visa From Nigeria

Apply for Czech Republic Schengen Visa From Nigeria

Apply for Netherlands Schengen Visa From Nigeria

Apply for Iceland Schengen Visa From Nigeria

Apply for Belgium Schengen Visa From Nigeria

Apply for Switzerland Schengen Visa From Nigeria

Apply for Portugal Schengen Visa From Nigeria

Apply for Sweden Schengen Visa From Nigeria

Apply for Poland Schengen Visa From Nigeria

Apply for Greece Schengen Visa From Nigeria