How Long Can I Stay in Finland Without a Visa?
If you are a citizen of the European Union (EU), Nordic countries or any other Schengen country, you do not need a visa to visit Finland. However, citizens of countries that do not have EU or EFTA membership need to apply for a visa in advance.
To do this, find your local Finnish mission or visa center. You may also need to make an appointment in person before submitting your application.
EU / EEA nationals
If you are an EU or EEA national and have an EU passport, you can travel to Finland and other Schengen states without a visa. This is a right of free movement within the European Economic Area (EEA). This means you can visit, work, study and live in any other EEA country without a visa.
The EEA is made up of the European Union (EU) and three countries that are part of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). This includes Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, excluding Switzerland. EFTA member states adopt most EU regulations for their internal markets, but do not have to join the EU or its Customs Union. They also have their own regulators, courts and surveillance authorities.
Citizens of the EEA can stay in Finland for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, as long as they have a valid passport or other travel document accepted by the Schengen state. If you exceed this limit, you will need a new visa.
In addition to your passport, you should carry your Brexit permit or frontier worker permit issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, if you plan to visit Finland for more than a few days. Whether or not you need a visa will depend on the rules in each country.
You should also carry a photocopy of your passport or other travel documents with you as this will be needed at all times. It is a good idea to also have a copy of your medical records, if you are planning on staying in Finland for a while.
If you need a visa, apply for it in the Finnish mission or visa centre of another Schengen state before your trip. You can submit your application in person at the embassy or mission of that country, and you should include a colour photograph from which you are recognizable.
Generally, you can stay in Finland for up to six months if you are an immediate family member of an EU citizen. During this time, you can live in the same way as the EU citizen does, in terms of taxes, social security benefits and rights to work.
Nationals of visa-free countries
If you have a passport from one of the visa-free countries, you can stay in Finland for up to 90 days without a Finland visa. However, you must meet the general entry requirements, such as not posing a danger to public order and security, national health or Finland’s international relations.
Citizens from other countries must also hold a valid travel document or passport to enter Finland, as well as a visa to enter the Schengen area. If you don’t, you could be fined or detained by border guards.
The length of time that you can stay in Finland without a Finland visa depends on the reason for your visit. If you are travelling for business, for example, you will need a work permit to be allowed to stay in Finland. If you are going to study, you will need a Finland student visa.
To get a Finland visa, you must apply in person at the Finnish mission in your home country or the country where you plan to arrive after arriving in Finland. You will need to submit a Finland application form, as well as a cover letter, a copy of your ID and a passport page with your details.
You must also provide evidence of your travel plans and purpose of visit to Finland, such as a round-trip ticket, a confirmation of lodging, or a letter of invitation from a Finnish host. This will help the Finland authorities assess your visa application.
There is a limited number of visa-exempt entries in the Schengen area, and they are only granted to foreign visitors who hold formal passports (ordinary, official/service and diplomatic passports). Emergency, temporary, or other informal passports are not eligible for this exemption.
A list of visa-exempt entry is available on the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The list also includes the countries that are currently in negotiations to join the Schengen area.
The list of nationals that can enter Finland without a visa is constantly being updated and expanded, so it is important to check the latest list before making any plans to travel. If you are unsure about the visa exemption program of your country, contact your nearest Finland consulate or embassy in your home country to find out more.
Nationals of countries that require a visa
All members of the EU and EEA can enter Finland visa-free, but they will need to register at the local authorities if they wish to stay in Finland for longer than three months. Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of South Korea and the United States of America nationals are also allowed to visit Finland without a visa for up to 90 days, but must apply for a residence permit within three months after entering the country.
Citizens of the Nordic countries, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland do not need a passport for travel to Finland as part of the common Schengen area; however, they should carry a valid ID. Other non-EU nations may need a visa for a short stay in Finland but not for the duration of their trip; these should be obtained from the nearest embassy or consulate.
Finnish citizens enjoy free movement in the European Economic Area (EEA). This is governed by the Citizens’ Rights Directive and extended through bilateral agreements with other member states.
In the event that a citizen of an EEA member state wishes to enter Finland for a short period, they can use the Visa Checker Tool on the EEA website. This tool will provide a list of visa-exempt countries and their conditions.
The Visa Checker Tool will also allow you to identify the required documentation for entry into Finland. You will need a passport, travel document or other valid travel documents, a copy of your visa evidence (usually a sticker endorsed in your passport) and proof that you have enough funds to support yourself while in Finland and on your return journey.
For most visas, the issuing authority requests proof of financial security for the duration of the visa, preferably in the form of an employer-specific contract or equivalent proof of employment or self-employment. They will also ask to see proof of health status, if applicable.
Those seeking to stay in Finland for more than 90 days will need a visa or residence permit; these can be obtained through the Enter Finland Service online or by visiting an authorized application center. The application must include the correct paperwork relating to study, entrepreneurial, family, or employment, and it should be submitted at least four weeks before the desired date of departure.
Nationals of countries that do not require a visa
If you are a national of one of the countries that do not require a visa to enter Finland, you do not need to get a visa for travel to Finland. This is a benefit of membership in the Schengen area. However, this visa-free travel is only valid for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
If you want to stay longer than this, you can apply for a residence permit at a Finnish mission either in your home country or in the country of departure where you have a legal residence well in advance. You need to provide proof of your residence as well as your travel documents.
Finland is a Nordic country in northern Europe, bordering Sweden, Norway and Russia. It has a semi-presidential system of government and parliament. It is a member of the European Union and the Eurozone.
The country is known for its high levels of education, as 93 percent of Finns graduate from high school and 66 percent go on to higher education. This rate is significantly higher than the United States and Canada.
It is also considered one of the safest nations in the world, and petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching is rare. Roads are also well maintained, and public transport is available in major cities.
Tourism is a big industry in Finland, and it has been growing rapidly over the last few years. The country is a popular destination for winter sports and has become a significant draw for summer art and music festivals.
Citizens of certain non-EU/EEA countries do not need a visa to enter Finland, although they may have to pay an immigration fee upon arrival. For information on this, visit the website of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs or a Finnish Diplomatic Mission nearest to you.
Currently, you need to show a negative COVID-19 test and proof of vaccination for entry to Finland. This will change in 2022, when you can travel to Finland without providing proof of vaccination.
Finland has a long history of welcoming visitors and fostering good relations with its neighbours. It has been a host to some of Europe’s last remaining indigenous people, the Sami. They have been given special rights and have a parliament. In addition, they have a strong connection with the natural environment and are experts in reindeer herding. The Sami are also well known for their handcrafted items, which can be found in many tourist shops and restaurants.