Since March 25, 2001, Finland has acceded to the Schengen Agreement, and the new visa code from April 5, 2010 unified the procedure for registration and requirements for the recipient of the Schengen visa. It is worth noting that Finland less often than other countries of the agreement denies a visa (only 1% of cases). The Schengen visa gives the right to stay in the acceding countries for a period of no more than 90 days within six months and can include one, two or many entries (multivisa).
Before opening a visa to Finland, it should be borne in mind that, according to the rules, a Schengen visa must be issued at the embassy of the country of the main residence or first entry. Violation of this rule may result in the denial of the following visas not only to Finland, but also to other countries.
You can get a Schengen visa to Finland both independently and with the help of a travel agency accredited in the embassy.
How and where to get a visa to Finland?
Beginning of visa processing is necessary with the correct registration of the following required documents:
- the passport valid for 3 months after the end of the visa application period. In the passport there should be a sufficient number of blank sheets for visas and stamps on border crossing;
- an application for a visa to Finland or a questionnaire is filled out only in block letters on a letterhead of the established form;
- on the questionnaire it is necessary to paste a fresh (no more than six months ago) photograph of the passport format. Photo on the visa to Finland should be made on a light (usually blue) background, glasses with transparent glasses are allowed;
- insurance policy for the entire duration of the visa with a minimum amount of not less than 30 thousand euros.
To confirm the purpose of the trip and the reliability of the information provided, the following additional documents can be submitted:
- invitation from friends or relatives - Finnish nationals with a copy of the inviting passport;
- in the case of a trip to rest it is desirable to attach a confirmation of the hotel booking or rental housing. When leaving for study or treatment, the relevant letters from the educational or medical institution are attached;
- when submitting travel documents to close relatives (parents, children, grandchildren, grandparents), copies and originals of documents confirming the relationship must be added.
Where can I get a visa to Finland? For the citizens of Russia, there are 5 consulates and visa centers in the following cities:
- St. Petersburg (prepares visas for residents of the North-West region);
- Murmansk (prepares visas for residents in the Murmansk region);
- Petrozavodsk (prepares visas for residents of Karelia);
- Moscow (serves the rest of Russia);
- Kazan (only accepts documents with their further sending to the Moscow visa center).
About how and where people in Ukraine can get a visa to Finland, you can learn from this material.
Reasons for denying a Schengen visa and further action
If all the rules of registration and filing of documents are observed, the probability of obtaining a visa refusal in Finland is extremely small. But knowing the possible reasons for the refusal and the correct order of actions in this case will not be superfluous, but will help to avoid mistakes.
First of all, the refusal of a visa to Finland can be obtained if there is a record in a single information system about coarse
If you receive a refusal in the Finnish visa, you should immediately clarify the reason and time frame for the possible re-submission of the application. For minor violations visa quarantine is set for six months, for serious offenses (violation of the visa regime in the Schengen countries, disturbance of public order during the stay, etc.) visa quarantine can be established for several years.