To go to Finland, you will have to apply for a Schengen visa category C. It has a time limit - you can stay in the Schengen territory for no longer than 90 days within 6 months.
If your goal is to travel to different parts of Europe in one trip, you should prepare a Finnish visa only if you will spend the most time in this country.
You can apply for a Finnish visa yourself at the Finnish Embassy in Moscow, as well as at consulates in St. Petersburg, Murmansk and Petrozavodsk.
Before applying for a visa, it is worthwhile to study what documents are needed and whether you have all of them available. Their list is the same, regardless of how you decide to process the documents for a Schengen trip: with the help of an embassy, a travel agency or a visa center. Make copies of all required paperwork before submitting.
In addition to the list below, you may be asked for additional documents or invited for an interview. Filling out the application form for a trip to Finland should be taken seriously, because if you fill it out incorrectly, you will be refused.
Documents required for obtaining a visa to Finland:
- A passport that will not be expired for at least another quarter of a year, until the expiration of the Schengen visa being issued. It must have at least two blank pages. If during the last 3 years you have already applied for a visa, then you should take an old passport. A new one must be issued no earlier than 10 years ago. If you have another valid passport, you should take that as well.
- Photo for documents in 36*47 mm, color, preferably on a gray background. It should be without adjusting the appearance and elements that cover the face. A person must take a photo no more than six months ago, from the moment of submission. In the image, the face should be straight and the eyes open.
- All tourists are required to have medical insurance, except for those who are married to Schengen citizens, their minor children (under 21), as well as those who have official or diplomatic passports. If necessary, it is issued at the offices of the company. The insurance limit of the policy must be at least 300 thousand euros, since it must cover, if necessary, the costs of treating diseases, accidents, medical or posthumous transportation of a person to the place of residence.
- For persons over the age of 14, copies of the Russian passport must be made. If the applicant is not a resident of Russia, you must additionally present registration, a residence permit or a visa of the Russian Federation, a work permit in Russia, as well as copies of all these papers.
- A completed application form, with the personal signature of the applicant. You need to fill it in Latin letters on a computer or manually, but in legible handwriting. For a minor, one of the parents or legal representative fills out the questionnaire and signs it.
- Receipt confirming that payment for the visa fee has been made.
- An agreement filled out by the applicant for the verification of personal data.
- Confirmation that the recipient of the visa is able to financially support his trip and is guaranteed to return to the Russian Federation. Such documents: certificate of employment, pension certificate or student card.
- If another person pays for the trip, a sponsorship letter is required. Especially it will be needed by unemployed people.
Package of documents for a minor child:
- Application signed by one of the parents or legal representatives.
- Birth certificate (even if the child is already 14 years old - they also need to present a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation). As well as copies of these documents.
- If the child is sent alone - the consent of the parents, certified by a notary. If one of the parents goes with the child - the consent of the second. If both parents are traveling with a child, copies of parental visas are also needed.
What other documents may be required?
Additional documents, the composition of which varies depending on the purpose of the trip to Finland and the Schengen area.
Tourism:
- A document confirming a hotel reservation, an application from a travel agency, or written travel planning.
- The visa number of a friend or relative, if one is traveling with you.
Visiting cultural events:
- An invitation from the organization hosting the event.
Business trip:
- Complete information about the party inviting you. Or a cover letter from the employer.
Medical service:
- Invitation, medical certificate from a Finnish medical organization.
Official, sports, study trips:
- Invitation to Finland.
- Cover letter from the sending party.
Visiting friends and relatives:
- Invitation letter and full information about the person you are visiting, confirmation of the legality of his stay in Finland.
- If the traveler is related to the inviter, documents are required to establish their relationship.
When preparing documents, remember that the submission of documents is a crucial moment. Their lack or incorrect filling is very often the main reason for refusal to obtain a visa to Finland.
