Last Updated: 9 October, 2001

How to get a Tourist Visa for Finland?

IMPORTANT

The information provided on this page is NOT OFFICIAL. It is based on the personal experiences. The information provided on this page, is subjected to change.  Please kindly check the latest immigration rules and regulations with Finnish Embassy or Consulate.

Contents

• Before you start
• Documents Required
• Procedure
• A) Visa Process through a travel agent
• B) Visa Process by Yourself
• Useful Addresses
• Templates and Reference Materials

Before you start

Before you start the visa process, please note following points:

• Visit website of Finnish Embassy at http://www.finembindia.com/ and read the visa information carefully and completely.
• Finland is now part of Schengen countries. Hence, it is better to apply for a Schengen visa.
• The actual visa process takes about 3-4 weeks, hence plan your trip well in advance.
• There are some travel agents who can handle the visa process for you.
• Travel Insurance and Medical Test Reports helps to speed up the visa process.
• Most of the private courier services (such as DHL, FedEx etc.) DO NOT provide services to send your important travel documents such as passport. You can send your documents by Speed Post, a service provided by Indian Post.
• It helps a lot if your company supports your visa application, by duly signing and putting company's stamp on it.
• The embassy issue visa exactly for the period that you have mentioned in the visa application form or invitation letter or cover letter. Hence, please specify the period the stay carefully. 

Documents Required

You will need to supply following documents with your visa application:

• Original Passport - plus it's photocopies 2 sets. Passport should be valid during your trip.
• Passport Size Photos of the Applicant - 4/5 photos
• Return Air Ticket - You may produced a receipt of the blocked ticket. But it is better to show the purchased ticket. There are travel agents who can handle visa procedure for you.
• Invitation Letter - from a person who is inviting you to Finland. Click Here to see sample letter.
• Cover Letter - describing your reason of travel. Click Here to see sample cover letter.
• Travel Insurance - which covers medical tests
• Medical Test Report - if not covered under Travel Insurance procedure.
• Visa Fee - Check latest information on embassy's homepage

Procedure

There are two ways you can conduct the visa process: A) Visa Process through a travel agent and, B) Visa Process by Yourself. 

A) Visa Process through a travel agent

There are some travel agents who can handle the visa process for you. The travel agent will charge for this service. Here are the steps involved:

1. Discuss your trip with the travel agent and decide whether to block or purchase the air ticket. The travel agent knows the process better as they provide the service for it.
2. Get the Visa Application Form from the travel agent.
3. Fill in the application form and attach the required supplementary material as mentioned above. Give this form and the visa fee to the travel agent.
4. Keep follow up with the travel agent.
5. After you get your visa, check following things on your visa:-

• Visa validity period
• Number of entries your allowed. Whether it is a Single-Entry or Double-Entry or Multiple Entry visa.
• Your name and details appears exactly as they appear on your passport. There should not be any spelling errors

If you are doing the visa-process through travel agent and if you call the Finnish Embassy in New Delhi to check the status, then you will need to tell the File/Case Number to them. Make sure you get this File/Case Number from your travel agent.

B) Visa Process by Yourself

The following description assumes that you are located in Maharastra State of India.

1. Get the Visa Application Form from the nearest Finnish Embassy or Consulate. There is Finnish Embassy in New Delhi and Finnish Consulate in Bombay.
2. Fill in the application form and gather the required supplementary material as mentioned above.
3. Decide a date for your journey and block the ticket.
4. Call the Finnish Consulate at Bombay and get an appointment for the interview.
5. Appear for the interview, present your visa application papers and give any information which Consulate might ask you.
6. Get the papers checked, signed and stamped by the Consulate.
7. You will need to pay the visa fee and postage fee through two separate bank drafts. For this and other details, call Finnish Embassy in New Delhi and find out more information.
8. Now, send the visa papers and the bank draft by Speed Post to Finnish Embassy in New Delhi.
9. After few days, call the Embassy and check whether they have received the papers. If yes, then get the File/Case Number for your visa application. This File/Case Number helps when you are following up your application.
10. Keep follow up with the Finnish Embassy by call. When you call for a follow-up, the Embassy will ask you File/Case Number or your last name. 
11. After you get your visa, check following things on your visa:-

• Visa validity period
• Number of entries your allowed. Whether it is a Single-Entry or Double-Entry or Multiple Entry visa.
• Your name and details appears exactly as they appear on your passport. There should not be any spelling errors

Useful Addresses

Templates and Reference Materials

The templates/cover letters provided here are just an example. They are NOT final and are subjected to change as per the immigration rules.

• Sample Invitation Letter - Click Here to Download
• Sample Cover Letter for Visa Application - Click Here to Download
• Sample copy of Visa Application Form
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