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Information about the required documents can be found on the website

The status of the application can be tracked at the link

Who Can Apply from the UK?

Who doesn't need a visa? 

Applicant must at least meet the following criteria in order to be eligible to submit a Schengen visa application:

1. holding a valid passport/travel document

2. holding a valid UK residence permit. In case applicant holds a short stay visa for the UK, a C type visa (see example here), then applicant needs to apply for a Schengen visa from his/her residence country.

3. applying for a short stay visa: Tourist (including Private Visit), Business, Finnish, EU/EEA and Swiss nationals’ family member under Directive 2004/38/EC and Study, Conference and Professional Training Visa

Before applying, please ensure you are very clear on your ‘purpose of visit’. Check the Documents Required section for more details on visa categories and documents required for submitting your application.

Visa Types

Short Stay Visa

• Tourism Select this checklist if you travel to Finland for leisure, recreation or sightseeing.

• Business Select this checklist if you travel to Finland for official and business purposes (meetings, conferences, trainings, trade fairs etc.).

• Short term study, conference or seminar Applicants, who intend to travel to Finland to study for a short period (less than 90 days) or to attend a conference/seminar/workshop not related to their work/business/company, may apply for Study, Conference and seminar.

• Private Visit (Family and Friends) Select this checklist if you travel to visit your family members or friends legally residing in Finland.

• Applicants under the directive 2004/38/EC (Family member of an EU, EEA and Swiss citizen, who exercises the Right of Free Movement) If all the below mentioned conditions (1-3) are not fulfilled, the visa application will be processed as a Tourist or Private Visit application. In this case, please see the checklist for the correct application category and submit the required documents accordingly.

  1. Union citizen exercises the right of free movement = Union citizen who moves to or resides in a Membe r State other than that of which he/she is a national.

  2. The applicant is a family member of the EU, EEA or Swiss citizen (spouse, partner in a registered relationship, child under 2 1 years of age or a direct relative in the ascending line dependent of a Union citizen or a spouse/partner).

  3. The EU/EEA/Swiss citizen's journey and the family member's journey are related to each other (= the visa applicant travels to gether with the EU/EEA/Swiss citizen or follows the citizen later)

Documents Required

1. Visa application form with a photograph Schengen visa application form shall be duly completed, dated and signed by the applicant. Please check the visa application photo requirements on the website https://www.icao.int/Security/mrtd/Downloads/Technical Reports/Annex_A-Photograph_Guidelines.pdf .

2. Travel document The travel document must be valid for a minimum of three (3) months after the planned journey, issued within the previous 10 years and have at least two (2) blank pages. A travel document with corrected name details will not be accepted.

3. Travel medical insurance Travel medical insurance must be valid for the duration of travel and cover the entire Schengen area. An applicant for a multiple-entry visa may provide an insurance policy, which is valid during the first trip. The minimum coverage of the policy must be 30 000 (thirty thousand) euros. The policy has to cover costs in case of sudden illness or accident and assistance on site, including the costs of medical repatriation to the place of permanent residence of the insured person or the repatriation in case of death.

4. Documents confirming the purpose of the journey

   1. Proof of itinerary If visiting several countries within one trip, a travel schedule, which includes all the countries to be visited.

   2. Transport reservations Proof of reserved return ticket(s) or proof of onward travel (if not returning to the United Kingdom), such as authorisation of entry into the country of destination, confirmed overseas ticket, proof of sufficient means to cover such costs.

   3. Proof of accommodation

      1. Proof of accommodation or of sufficient means to cover the costs of accommodation. If relevant, such proof may be given through a proof of sponsorship by means of an official form (certificate of board and lodging).

      2. Confirmed hotel booking for the full stay in the territory of the Member State or proof of sufficient means to cover accommodation during the intended stay or a booking confirmation of a tour or any other appropriate document, such as a list of persons taking part in the tour.

5. Documents confirming applicant’s circumstances

   1. Proof of employment Employees should attach a recent letter from the employer (headed letter with name, date of issue, address, telephone number and position and salary of signatory and registration number in the United Kingdom) and payslips for the last three months. Self-employed should present a recent letter from accountant, banker or solicitor, stating self-employment or business ownership in the United Kingdom. The letter must also state the annual salary drawn from the company and self-assessment form edited by revenue and customs authorities.

   2. Proof of financial means

      1. Recent (last three months) UK bank statements showing the balance and credit card account statement, indicating the cardholder’s name and address. The statement must contain information on the monthly limit or the spending cap.

      2. If the applicant is financially supported by his/her spouse, also marriage certificate, the spouse's bank statement and the statement of will to support the spouse must be presented.

      3. If the applicant is supported by his/her parents, proof of family relationship e.g. birth certificate, the parent(s)’ bank account statements and statement of will to support the applicant.

   3. Proof of studies Students should present a recent, official and signed letter from school, college or university, stating date of issue, name of the applicant and type of studies, number of lessons (hours) per week and attendance record.

   4. Documents for third country citizens Valid UK residence permit. Permit must be valid at least one month after your departure from the Schengen area. In the absence of a UK residence permit card, or if the digital permit is valid longer, than the residence permit card, the following is also acceptable: “proof of right to reside in the UK: valid immigration status share codes issued by UK Home Office", which can be downloaded at the following link.

6. Documents for minors Applicant(s) under 18: For minors, who are travelling alone, with only one parent or with other people than the parents or a guardian; a birth certificate, both parents' or legal guardians' formal written consent to travel, photocopies of their passport(s) and British school certificate.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Application Process

• Identify visa type (Choose the right visa for your trip).

• Begin your application (Get started with your visa application).

  • Once you are ready to apply for a visa, please fill in the visa application form and arrange your application documents as per the checklist which accompanies your online application form.

  • You can also download the visa application form, complete it, print the completed form, and bring it with you to the Visa Application Centre for submission.

• Prepare Documents: Ensure all required documents are ready and properly organized.

• Book an Appointment: Schedule your appointment for submitting the application and biometrics. If you are part of a family or group, you’ll have to book individual appointments for each member of the family or group.

• Submit Application: Attend the appointment at the visa center, submit your documents, and provide biometrics.

• Pay the Fees: Visa application fees can vary based on visa type and processing times.

• Track your application (Stay informed about the progress of your application)

• Collect your passport: After a visa application decision has been made, you can pick up your passport from the Visa Application Centre.

  • Collecting your passport in person: bring the receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre and a form of Government identification.

  • If permitted you may be able to send a representative to collect your passport; they will need to present a letter of authorization signed by you, bring the receipt issued to you by the Visa Application Centre and their Government identification.

Processing Time

The visa process at the Finnish Embassy takes 10 working days. We recommend you to apply at least 15 days before the planned trip. Some applications may require further processing. Please note that all applications are processed individually. Please also note that applications submitted in Edinburgh and Manchester need more extra days due courier to London and back.

How to Book an Appointment

Booking a slot for your visa application can be a daunting task, especially during high travel seasons. This is where Visard.io simplifies the process:

• Instant Notifications: Receive updates on available appointment slots.

• Automated Booking: Secure your appointment seamlessly through the platform.

• Convenience: Avoid the hassle of manually searching for slots.