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Visa
Required? |
Passport
Required? |
Return
Ticket Required? |
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British |
No |
No/10 |
No |
|
Australian |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
Canadian |
No |
Yes |
No |
|
USA |
No |
Yes/6 |
No |
|
Other EU |
No |
No1-9 |
No |
|
Japanese |
No |
Yes/6 |
No |
|
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Finland is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen
Agreement.
Since March 1995, a 'borderless' region known as the Schengen
area has been declared covering the following states:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, The Netherlands, Portugal,
Spain and Sweden.
Schengen countries now issue standard Schengen visas,
and nationals holding visas issued by one of the Schengen
countries are, in principle, permitted to travel freely within
the borders of all 15. However, since Schengen states are
still free to decide their own visa requirements, entry regulations
may vary and nationals not requiring a visa for one Schengen
country may require one for other Schengen countries. This
has various practical implications and for example, travellers
may be refused entry to a Schengen country for which they
do not require a visa if holding onward tickets to a country
for which they do require a visa. Travellers should check
with the authorities of the country they intend to visit as
to whether they require a visa to enter. If visiting more
than 1 Schengen country, the traveller should apply for the
Schengen visa to the Embassy/Consulate of the first or main
country to be visited.
There are 3 types of Schengen visa: Airport Transit,
Transit and Short-stay visas. For
stays of over 3 months, a long-stay visa will be required,
and will be valid only in the country of issue.
PASSPORTS
Passport valid for at least 3 to 6 months required by all
except the following provided they hold a valid national ID
card:
a. nationals of EU countries (except Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland,
the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and the UK), including the French
Overseas Departments of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion
but excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
b. nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland
and San Marino.
Note
The following nationals may also be able to enter Finland
with documents other than a valid passport, although this
should be checked prior to arrival, since passport exemptions
are not guaranteed in these cases:
a. 2. Nationals of Croatia and Slovenia with Yugoslavian passports
issued prior to the states becoming independent.
b. 3. Nationals of Denmark with an emergency passport.
c. 4. Nationals of Estonia with temporary travel documents.
d. 5. Nationals of Germany and Lithuania with a child's travel
document in lieu of passport.
e. 6. Nationals of Japan and the USA with re-entry permits
to their respective countries.
f. 7. Nationals of Latvia with ID documents for stateless
persons, or with alien's passport.
g. 8. Nationals of The Netherlands with a Titre de
Voyage.
h. 9. Nationals of Poland with emergency travel documents.
i. 10. Nationals of the United Kingdom with a certificate
of identity or Carte d'Identité (United Kingdom Gibraltar).
Passports must be blue and issued after Jan 1 1983, bearing
"British Citizen" on page one,
and/or "Holder has a right of abode in the UK" on
page 5. EU passports must bear "European Community"
or "European Union" on the front
cover and "British Citizen" on
the page of personal data.
VISAS
Required by all except the following for a period of up to
90 days:
a. nationals listed in the chart and under passport exemptions
above
b. nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei,
Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Israel, Korea (Republic),
Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua,
Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, Singapore, Uruguay, Venezuela
and Vatican City. Visas are required for stays exceeding 90
days and by all who wish to work during their stay except
nationals of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
c. holders of a UN or EU laissez-passer.
Note
3. a. Holders of the following also do not require a visa:
‘British Citizen’ passports, including those
from the Channel Islands and Isle of Man, with the endorsement
‘Holder has the right of re-admission’ or ‘Holder
is entitled to re-admission to the United Kingdom’ or
‘Holder has the right of abode in the United Kingdom’,
provided holders of such passports have not stayed outside
the UK for more than 2 years (including the expected stay
in Finland),‘British Dependent Territories Citizens’
passports (BDTC) issued to persons with the right of abode
in Gibraltar with the endorsement 'Holder is defined as a
UK national for Community purposes'; British National Overseas
passports (BNO) with permanent residence in Hong Kong are
visa exempt for up to 3months.
b. Holders of the following do require a visa:
‘British
Protected Persons’ passports endorsed ‘Holder
is subject to control under the Immigration Act 1971’.
Airport transit
Passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting
aircraft within the international zone of the Schengen airport,
without gaining access to the national territory of the Schengen
member state, may not require a transit visa, provided they
are holding valid onward or return documentation.
Nationals of the following countries always need a visa to
transit through a Danish airport:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem Rep), Eritrea, Ethiopia,
Ghana, India (not required for Indian nationals in possession
of a valid visa to an EU or EEA country, USA or Canada), Iran,
Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka (the above
list is subject to changes, please check with the Embassy
or Consular section at Embassy). However, if any of these
nationals are residents in an EU member state, an EEA country,
the USA or Canada, and hold permission to return a minimum
of 3 months after transiting Finland, a visa is not required.
Types of visa and cost
A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa,
is issued for tourist, business
and private visits.
All visas are £24 (€35), regardless of duration
of stay or whether single-, double or multiple entry. Visa
fees may vary depending on the rate of exchange and the transfer
of a visa costs £14.
Cost of Visa Conversion
Table:
£10 US$18
£40 US$73
£50 US$91
£100 US$182
£140
US$255
£150 US$273
Note
Spouses and children of EU nationals (providing spouse’s
passport and the original marriage certificate/children’s
full birth certificate is produced), and nationals of some
other countries, receive their visas free of charge (enquire
at the Embassy for details).
Validity
Transit visas are valid for up to 5
days. Single entry and double entry visas
are valid for up to 90 days. Multiple entry
visas are valid for up to 1 year. Applications for renewal
or extension should be made to the Embassy
or Authorities in Finland.
Application
Consulate or the Consular section at Embassy, see Contact
Addresses. Visas must be applied for in person at Embassy
of Schengen country visited. If visiting
more than one Schengen country, apply to the Embassy of the
main destination or to the Embassy of the country entered
first if there is no main destination.
Note
Nationals must apply in person at the London Embassy if they
are applying for a visa in the UK and reside within the vicinity
of London.
Application requirements
a. One completed, signed application form.
b. One passport-size photo.
c. Passport valid for at least 3 months from the date of return.
An alien's spouse and children under 16 years may travel with
passport holder if their names and dates of birth are in the
passport, plus photo of spouse and photos of any children
under 7 years.
d. Re-entry permit into the United Kingdom valid for at least
90 days (for applicants applying at the Finnish Embassy in
London).
e. Valid travel insurance other than E111.
f. A Hotel reservation or original invitation from either
a family or company in Finland.
g. Reservation of travel tickets (possibly original return
tickets also) and proof of funds.
h. Fee.
i. For minors under 18 years, letter from college/university
and written permission from both parents, plus copy of parents’
passports.
j. Proof of funds (eg bank statement, credit card).
Business
a - j and, k Letter of invitation from the Finnish company
confirming length and purpose of stay and a letter from current
employer.
Student
A letter from educational institution.
Note
The documents should be submitted both in their original form
and with photocopy attached.
Working days
required:
Up to 2 weeks, although sometimes longer.
Temporary
residence
Application to the Finnish Embassy. Work permits and Residence
permits must be arranged well in advance. EU nationals are
allowed to live and work in Finland without visas or permits
for up to 90 days, and for periods exceeding 90 days, they
can obtain a residence permit (a work permit is not required)
from the local police station. For further information contact
the Directorate of Immigration for more information (website:
www.uvi.fi).
Note
Those wishing to visit the CIS from Finland are advised to
obtain their visa in their country of origin, applications
made in Helsinki take at least 8 working days. |
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