Visa application
Citizens of Russia and the CIS require a visa to visit Finland. Check a2zdirectory for history of Finland.
On the territory of the Russian Federation, a visa can be issued in Moscow at the consular section of the Embassy of Finland, in St. Petersburg – at the General Embassy, as well as at the consulates of the cities of Petrozavodsk and Murmansk.
When obtaining a tourist visa to visit Finland, you must have the following documents with you:
- completed application form signed by the applicant. The questionnaire must be filled in only in Latin letters;
- one color photograph of the established sample;
- current valid passport. The validity period must be at least 3 months after the end of the planned trip, and the passport must also have two free pages;
- an invitation from a private person or organization. The invitation must be drawn up in free form, indicating the name and surname of the inviter and the invitee, date of birth, details of the host, passport number of the invitee, purpose and duration of the visit. In case of a private visit, it is desirable to indicate the type of relationship in which the invited person and the inviting person are (relatives, children, friends, spouses);
- during a tourist trip, you must have supporting documents for booking a hotel room (printout from the Internet, fax) or a voucher from a travel company;
- a passport with an existing registration stamp or an application form for temporary registration (here it is also necessary to provide a certificate from the place of work or a bank account statement);
- the original or a copy of an insurance policy valid for the entire duration of the trip, in countries located in the Schengen area, the coverage must be at least 30 thousand EUR, with a set of services (emergency transportation of the patient to the place of residence, as well as repatriation of the remains in case of death) and without a deductible. Only computer-printed policies from accredited insurance companies at the consulate and embassy of Finland can be accepted for consideration ;
- copy of tickets or confirmation of their reservation.
Visa processing times currently range from 6 to 9 days (working). The date of issue of the visa is indicated in the receipt, however, this does not guarantee the issuance of the visa exactly on this date. Documents for obtaining a visa must be submitted no earlier than 90 days before the intended date of travel.
A Schengen visa is issued for up to 90 days of stay in the country; during the year, several entries into Finland may be provided. A transit visa is valid from the date of issue for 6 months.
The consular fee is 35 EUR for all types of visas and is charged for each presented passport, including the child’s passport.
When visiting the country with children, the following documents are required:
- birth certificate (original and copy);
- insurance policy;
- child’s passport (if any).
A separate questionnaire must be completed for each child, and a complete package of documents must be submitted. A separate visa sticker is affixed to a child who is inscribed in the parent’s passport. The full visa fee is charged for children who have reached the age of 6 and are inscribed in the parents’ passport.
For a child accompanied by only one parent or third parties, a copy of the consent from the remaining parent, certified by a notary, as well as a copy of the passport page with the data of the principal, is required.
When crossing the border, it is necessary to present a passport, visa, insurance policy, documents confirming the hotel reservation or invitation, cash or a receipt from the account (calculated from 50 EUR for each day of residence in the country).
Customs regulations
Import and export of currency into the country is not limited. Amounts exceeding 10 thousand EUR are subject to mandatory declaration when leaving the territory of non-EU countries. See Finland import restrictions.
Persons over the age of 17 arriving from countries that are not part of the EU customs area can import duty-free up to 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 100 cigarillos, or 250 grams of tobacco.
Persons over 20 years of age can import up to 1 liter of strong alcoholic beverages (from 22%) and up to 2 liters of wine (liqueurs, champagne, grape). It is also allowed to import goods for personal use duty-free (calculated up to 430 EUR per person).
Members of the EU do not have restrictions on the import of goods, but only on the condition of the personal use of the imported goods.
The import into the country of narcotic preparations and drugs, explosives and flammable substances is prohibited without a permit. When importing ammunition and hunting weapons, it is necessary to provide the relevant documents, as well as a permit obtained from the department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of your region.
Products containing milk or meat, including canned food, sausage, chocolates, etc., are also prohibited for import into the country. The ban does not apply to baby food and honey, drugs needed by people with certain chronic diseases. If meat and dairy products are found, they are completely confiscated, and a fine is charged from the passenger.
Animals, plants and plant products must be presented to quarantine officials. When traveling with a pet, it must have a vaccination certificate and a medical certificate issued no earlier than 10 days before the trip.
Tobacco products and spirits (for persons over 20 years old), no more than 12 liters of strong beer and no more than 5 liters of other spirits can be freely exported from the country.
The export of things and objects of artistic or historical value is prohibited from the country.
When exporting arts and crafts, you must have a certificate obtained from the seller, which can confirm the possibility of exporting these goods outside the country.
Embassy of Finland in Russia
Embassy of Finland in Moscow
Address: 119034, Moscow, Kropotkinsky lane, 15-17
Phone: (495) 787-4178 (from 10.00-12.00), (495) 787-4177
Fax: (499) 255-3380
Finland Visa Application Center in Moscow
Address: 107078, Moscow, st. Kalanchevskaya, 13
Phone: (495) 662-8739 (Monday-Friday from 8.00-19.00)
Fax: (499) 662-8739
Consulate General of Finland in St. Petersburg
Address: 191028, St. Petersburg, Preobrazhenskaya sq., 4 (metro “Chernyshevskaya”)
Phone: (812) 331-7603 – visa issues (from 10.00 to 12.00), (812) 331- 7600 – questions about permission to stay (from 9.00 to 10.00)
Fax: (812) 331-7601
