Finland: in Suomi - only according to Schengen, which is very easy to get yourself

Every year brings many changes, and 2019 is no exception. They concern not only political and economic directions, but also changes in customs and visa legislation. But as before, a visa to Finland will be needed for all categories of Russians who need to get into a country that is a member of the Schengen Agreement. Guided by our instructions, you can arrange it yourself and save on the services of travel agencies.

Attention! Since September 14, 2015, for all applying for Schengen visas, mandatory submission of biometric data has been introduced. It is necessary to pass the procedure of fingerprinting (fingerprinting) and photographing at the visa center. The data obtained will be valid for 5 years (59 months). In this regard, the initial registration of a visa implies the obligatory personal presence of the applicant when submitting documents. Children under the age of 12 are exempted from fingerprinting (but not from photography).

Traveling to Finland is your best holiday

Finland is located in northern Europe, in the eastern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. This is the country of the beautiful North, the New Year, the Finnish Santa Claus Joulupukki, fabulous Lapland, deer and the Finnish sauna, which conquered all of Europe. Life in Finland, according to statistics, is considered the most environmentally friendly and calm. Although the Finns are an ardent people, they are nevertheless close to the Russian soul. They are cheerful and carefree, besides they speak a strange language called "elvish". To get to this distinctive European state, you should get a visa that will open the way for you to other countries that are members of the Schengen Agreement. Any visa to Finland, standard or urgent, is issued easily and simply, especially if you carefully read the instructions to the end.

You are visiting Finland as…

… TOURIST

You have decided to spend your Christmas holiday in the homeland of Joulupukki or relax in the cool Scandinavia in the summer. To do this, you need a regular tourist visa, which is done without any problems. In this case, the Schengen visa to Finland is accompanied by the presence of the following documents:

• standard questionnaire. Take it seriously. Both electronic and printed versions are accepted. Application forms can be taken at the visa centers, but it is more convenient to fill out the application form online (visa.finland.eu/Russia/Moscow/Online_Application_Form.html). A sample of a completed application form. The form printed out and filled in Latin letters is signed twice by the applicant. One photograph must be glued to it, in color, with a format of 36 by 47 millimeters (more details on the requirements for photographs will be explained later).
• Your foreign passport. Make sure that the statute of limitations does not exceed ten years from the date of issue.
• Typewritten insurance policy. Its validity must cover your stay in the country. The minimum amount of coverage is 30 thousand euros. Be careful: not all insurers can issue such a policy. The insurance representative to whom you apply for the service must be officially accredited either at the Finnish Embassy, ​​which is located in the capital, or at the Consulate General, which is located in St. Petersburg. Family members of citizens of the European Union do not need insurance.
• In Finland you will stay somewhere. Therefore, the list of documents also includes confirmation that you have a hotel, hostel or camping reservation. It is usually provided in paper form. A travel agency voucher will also work.

If you draw up documents not in one of the capitals, but for example, in the city of Yekaterinburg, you will need reserved tickets or copies of original travel documents on the railway, or purchased from airlines.

… GUEST

You are lucky to have relatives or friends in this country. This will greatly simplify the issuance of a visa to Finland in the traditional way. You will need an invitation visa.

You will have to prepare all the previously indicated documents from the tourist list, as well as:

1. Confirmation that you are really expected. It can be an invitation letter sent in any way - from a company or from private citizens. It is necessary to indicate the personal information of those people who invite you, that is, last names and first names with dates of birth, numbers and dates of issue of passports, their details. Do not forget that the purpose and duration of the trip must be indicated.
2. If you were invited by relatives living in Finland, you will need to indicate the degree of relationship. A fax or printed text sent by e-mail will do.

… BUSINESSMAN

To obtain a work visa to Finland, it is also necessary to collect a package of documents consisting of the already indicated items (for tourists), and:

1. , which would confirm your position and salary;
2. Two color photographs 36 by 47 millimeters;
3. Statements from your bank account specially opened for the trip. The account must have at least 60 euros for each day spent in Finland;
4. Migration card;
5. Copies of personal passport;
6. Work permits in Finland.

As a rule, Russians do not have problems with processing documents for a visa to Finland for the purpose of a business trip, because the inviting business partners themselves are interested in your arrival.

… STUDENT

A student visa to Finland compares favorably with all the others, because it allows you not only to study, but also to work, however, in the specialty for which you entered. If you are going to a Scandinavian country to take the entrance exams, you need documents for a visa to Finland as a tourist. If you successfully pass the exams, you will need to obtain permission to stay in the country on the basis of study. In addition to the already indicated documents (for a tourist), you must have:

1. Certificate of admission to the university. It may be in electronic form.
2. Confirmation of your material wealth, that is, a bank statement stating that you have an amount equal to 6720 euros per year, or 560 euros for each month. If the university has any quotas in the form of free meals or accommodation, the indicated amount may be less.
3. Certificate of previous education.
4. As for the insurance policy, if your trip is within one year, a standard policy of 30,000 euros will be enough, but if you plan to spend 2 years in Finland, the amount should be 100,000 euros. In this case, you will be able to use medical services free of charge.

If you are traveling with a child

To obtain a visa to Finland for the children you are taking with you, you also need to fill out questionnaires for each of those traveling separately, as well as prepare a complete package of all documents, which includes a list of names for a tourist plus:

1. Original document and photocopy of birth certificates;
2. Insurance;
3. Passport if available.

If a child travels to a Scandinavian country with one of the parents, the second will need, of course, certified by a notary, as well as a copy of the main pages of the applicant's personal passport. The good news is that if your child is under the age of six, a visa will be free for him.

Special requirements for the design of photographs

To ensure that you do not have any problems when entering a country that is a member of the Schengen Agreement, you should take your trip very seriously. Applying for a visa to Finland on your own or with the help of tour operators is only half the battle. Because it has to be done right. For example, “Schengen” imposes special requirements on the design of a photo. So, what should be the photo so that it is not rejected:

• Its dimensions should be as follows - 36 by 47 millimeters;
• The head in the photograph must be at least 25 and not more than 35 millimeters;
• The expiration date of the picture is no more than six months;
• The background behind you should be a soft shade and naturally lighter than the face. As a rule, it is a gray color with darkness up to 18 percent;
• How you look all the time, this should be your image in the photo, that is, without cardinal changes, such as changing hair color, hairstyles, etc .;
• The position of the head is full face, that is, a straight face;
• You should not be wearing unnecessary accessories such as glasses, a hat, etc.;
• Retouching the photo is prohibited.

If you are planning a road trip

In this case, you also need a package of documents for your car, which will consist of international rights, an international insurance policy (green card) and a technical passport. If you follow the procedures to the end, you should have both originals and copies of the specified documents.

If you are a pensioner

Then don't forget your pension certificate along with documents according to the type of visa.

What types of visas to Finland are there?

We reviewed visas by purpose of travel. Depending on this, visas can be as follows:

Single entry visa to Finland

It is given for three months, taking into account one trip. True, it is not forbidden to visit another Scandinavian country, and then return to Finland again.

two-time

From the name it is clear that the recipient can make two trips to Finland during the time specified in the visa.

Multiple - for six months

Such a visa is convenient for foreign citizens whose nature of work is associated with trips to this country.

1 year visa to Finland

Even if the visa is obtained for a period of one year, the maximum period of stay in the country should not exceed six months.

transit

If the passage through Finland is forced to get to another country, then a transit visa is what you need. True, you can cross Finland no more than 2 times, and the total number of days that you can stay in it is five.

Visa in a joint passport

This visa is suitable for traveling with children under the age of 16.

Return visa

This is a kind of permission to leave the country for certain reasons. This visa can be issued by the police.
If you plan to make a visa to Finland on your own, then you need to collect all the documents in accordance with the purpose of the trip, write an application for a visa to Finland and transfer all this to the consulates located in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and other cities.

Muscovites can contact:

Embassy of Finland in Moscow, which is located at:

• Kropotkinsky lane, 15, room. 17.
• Here you will be received on weekdays from 9.00 to 17.00.
• You can clarify the information you are interested in by calling: +7-495-787-41-74 and +7-499-255-33-80 (this is a fax).
• Also, a lot of information is presented on the official website at www.finland.org.ru.
• As a rule, the issuance of documents for a visa takes place on weekdays from 9.00 to 12.00.

Finland Visa Application Center in Moscow:

• st. Kalanchevskaya, 13 (near the Komsomolskaya and Krasnye Vorota metro stations).
• Here they work in the same way as in the embassy.
• You can clarify all questions by calling + 7 (495) 662-87-39.
• The website address is visa.finland.eu.

A visa to Finland for residents of St. Petersburg can be obtained at:

Consulate General of Finland at:

• Preobrazhenskaya Square, 4,
• Phones: +7 812-331-76-00, fax: +7 812-331-76-01.
• Here you will be received on weekdays from 9.00 to 15.30.

Finland Visa Application Center in St. Petersburg at:

• st. Stremyannaya, 21/5 (on the corner of Marata st., 5).
• Phone: + 7 (812) 309-28-89.
• Opening hours - weekdays, from 9.00 to 19.00.

Residents of Yekaterinburg can also obtain a visa to Finland. Your application and documents will be accepted by:

at the Visa Application Center at:

• st. Kuibysheva, 44 from 9.00 to 16.00 on weekdays.

Consulate General of Hungary at:

• st. Gogol, d. 15 from 11.00 to 13.00 on weekdays.

You can call by phone: (343) 355-92-54 or +7 (343) 355 92 55 (this is also a fax). Website - //www.mfa.gov.hu.

You can make a visa to Finland at all these indicated addresses, as well as using the services of agencies. Of course, they will cost a little more. But this mediation has its advantages: money will be taken from you in case of a positive decision. And if you go through the procedure yourself, then due to inexperience you may miss some details. Of course, no one is immune from mistakes and you will be given the opportunity to re-register some documents. True, the consular fee will have to be paid for each unsuccessful attempt, which will not be the case with contacting agencies.

How much will all this "pleasure" cost?

The price of the issue is the most exciting moment. Citizens of Russia must pay a special consular fee for Schengen, equal to the amount of 35 euros. If you are applying through the Visa Application Center, add 26.75 euros to this amount as payment for its services. Do not forget about the cost of insurance for 30 thousand euros. It will cost from 300 rubles and more, depending on the visa, the number of days and insurance in case of trip cancellation.

An urgent visa will cost exactly twice as much as a regular one. This applies to the consular fee, the services of the Visa Application Center will not increase. This service fee must be paid at the cash desk of the center and a receipt of payment must be provided along with a package of necessary documents.

If you decide to apply for a visa to Finland without resorting to the services of visa and other centers, then deduct this service fee from the total amount. Only in this case you need to contact the Consulate.

The services of a standard agency will cost you from two to three to tens of thousands of rubles. The cost of a visa to Finland already includes all fees and rewards. In this case, you are spared from the headache. All worries will be taken care of by professional specialists. Of course, it's not cheap. But even here you can save money. On the eve of the holidays and in the case of constant cooperation with the agency, you will be given good discounts. For example, many agencies charge only 50 percent of the amount for issuing visas for children.

How long do you have to wait for a visa?

A visa to Finland is done from six to nine days. This is the waiting time for a standard visa. An urgent visa to Finland is done much faster - within three days, however, and is much more expensive. An urgent visa is very convenient for non-residents living five hundred kilometers from the capital. The answer will be given to you within three days.

Pitfalls: how without them

Everything is impossible to predict. If you are doing all the paperwork yourself, be prepared for anything. For example, you may be invited for an interview at the embassy. Not everyone wants to go through it. In this case, it is better to overpay at the visa center or at the agency. Although for other people passing an interview is a common thing. You are not going to the exam. They will ask you about the purpose of the trip and the timing - that's all.

It seems that the simplest document on the list is photographs. But no! There are special requirements for this (we talked about them above), so scrupulousness is welcome in this matter.

Be careful with deadlines. Remember that the "corridor" - the time spent on the trip - is cancelled. It is better to take another look at your "Schengen" in your passport during an exciting journey.

We usually remember everything about ourselves, but sometimes we forget about loved ones. If your trip is planned with your family, and you have taken up the paperwork for everyone, please remember the little things. Otherwise, the wife (or husband) is unlikely to be happy about the refusal of a visa.

Video: what you need to check after obtaining a visa?

Will it ever be possible to travel to Finland without a visa?

Of course, if our country becomes a member of the Schengen Agreement. This, of course, is bravado. And speaking seriously, the government is currently considering the issue of abolishing visas to Finland for Russian citizens. This will affect lovers of Finnish shopping. This option will become possible for Russian tourists arriving by train. The term of the visa is planned to be limited to three days. This time is quite enough for shopping and a short weekend rest. This opportunity will certainly attract residents of the north-west of Russia, living near the Finnish border.

So far, these are only dreams and assumptions. And if a trip to the Scandinavian country is already on the nose, then it's time to do the paperwork and go to the authorities.

Of course, you can apply for a visa to Finland on your own and save yourself from overpayments. If you carefully read our instructions, you can easily do this.

Opening a visa to Finland is not the most difficult procedure, and, as a rule, there are no problems with obtaining it. Travel well and have fun!

Video: Finnish Foreign Minister's statement on visa-free regime with Russia

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Andrey Said:

I have never applied for a Schengen on my own before, I always overpaid to third-party organizations. Last summer I turned my attention to the Finland Visa Application Center in St. Petersburg. The filing process is flawless. In total, it took me 15 minutes to do this, including photography. I filled out the questionnaire in advance, the insurance was provided by the bank that services my credit card. At the same time, he applied for a visa for a three-year-old child, which is issued free of charge. On the specified day, I took the finished visas in even less time. Excellent service, recommended to my friends.

Gregory Said:

This is the second time I have applied for a Schengen visa at the Finland Visa Application Center in St. Petersburg. No problems, the procedure is quite simple. The first time the Finns gave me a six-month multiple visa, the second time it was already a year. Naturally, it is better not to violate the rules for crossing the border, so as not to be refused in the future. There were no problems with insurance, the number of days allowed to stay in a visa turned out to be even more than in an insurance policy.

Ekaterina Said:

I live in the city of St. Petersburg. Perhaps a visa to Finland is really the easiest and most affordable way to get a Schengen visa. More than once I independently made a visa through a consultant, which is very convenient and fast, without queues. The only thing you need to have time to sign up via the Internet, but this is not a problem at all lately. You can also fill out the form through the website.

Anton Said:

I live in St. Petersburg and very often ride in Finland, it’s good to go not far. Schengen received both Finnish and Polish, there were never any problems. It is better to do this in advance, because during the peak seasons the period for obtaining visas seriously increases, and if tickets are bought, you risk not being able to make it in time. Last update on insurance - sometimes I forgot to take it with me, but the last time we went to Lapeenranta, we were warned that customs now often ask for it, so always take insurance with you.

Angelina Said:

Previously, to obtain a visa to Finland, I stood in line at the Consulate (in St. Petersburg), now there is a visa center where you can get it a little more expensive, but much faster and without too much hassle. I never provided documents about the hotel reservation (because I often go there for one day), however, they never refused a visa. To travel to other European countries, I also make a Finnish Schengen, but I always ride it to Finland several times, for abuse of a visa, the Finns can then refuse it. Said (a):

I live in Karelia, the city of Olonets. we have to go to the border about 5 hours, but I got to Finland not long ago. Let's go with friends to relax and see the country! It took a whole month to make a passport, it probably took the same amount of time to get a visa. To go on vacation in the summer, we started preparing already in the winter! Schengen is very easy to get, but you need an invitation from a Finn, we had a friend! It's a pity that the first trip is given only for 45 days a year.

Nina Said:

When obtaining a visa, there are pitfalls associated with insurance. Some employees interpret the requirements for the start date of insurance in Finland in different ways. For example, some require that the start date of the insurance coverage coincides with the date of submission of documents for a visa. Others - from the date of crossing the border. Be careful and clarify this issue when submitting documents. I had to redo the insurance for myself and my husband and pay double the rate.

Anton Said:

I myself am from Karelia - we directly border on Finland. But before, obtaining a visa was very problematic - we have a consulate, but very few people can accept it on the same day, therefore it was necessary to sign up for several months or stand from morning to evening, hoping to get in instead of someone who did not come by appointment ... And now we (Petrozavodsk) have opened an excellent Finnish visa center - where they accept documents very quickly and without queues, draw up and then issue a visa. It costs a little more, but quickly and without nerves. And then, with a Finnish visa, it will be possible to travel to all countries where a Schengen visa is needed.

Yana Said:

I got a Schengen visa for the first time. I decided to visit Finland with a colleague. There was a choice to issue through an intermediary or independently. I decided not to overpay, but to do it myself.
I applied to the Consulate of Finland on Preobrazhenskaya Square. As I remember before, when I passed by there were huge queues. But even now the queues have become a little smaller, which pleases.
The decor was very nice and welcoming. The Finns are very disciplined and do everything clearly and on time. They helped me with the questionnaire, which I redid twice. All other documents and photographs were in order. And all my documents were accepted. And I got my visa on time!

Anna Said:

Repeatedly for several years in a row I received a visa at the Consulate in St. Petersburg on Preobrazhenskaya Square. Finns are polite people and everything should always be clear with them. Insurance must be correct - for a visa, not for travel, and strictly printed. Offended only by the constant standing in a huge queue for several hours. But they always accepted everyone, they never closed the doors in front of their noses. And with the advent of the visa center, everything has become much easier. But it is possible to receive a visa at the Consulate remained - only by appointment. The Finnish visa for a resident of St. Petersburg is the simplest visa that can be obtained for traveling within the Schengen area.

Olga Said:

Finland is an incredibly beautiful country with pristine nature, but to visit it you need a visa, namely a Schengen visa. It's quite easy to get it. First you need to fill out a questionnaire. And you can fill it out both electronically and by hand (the application form can be found on the website of the consulate or visa center). It must be remembered that the questionnaire is filled in Latin letters. Also, a photo on a blue background and mandatory insurance must be attached to the questionnaire. After receiving a visa, you are a happy tourist who can go to enjoy the beauties of the country of a thousand lakes!