Finland, situated in the northern reaches of Europe, stands out for its unique geographical and climatic characteristics. As one of the planet's northernmost and most remote nations, it grapples with a rigorous climate. An astounding 65% of Finland's terrain is cloaked in dense forests, making it Europe's most densely forested country. It symbolizes Europe's boundary, bridging the gap between the Western and Eastern worlds.
To its east, Finland is bordered by vast wilderness and Russia. At the same time, the Gulf of Bothnia and Sweden lie to the west, highlighting its strategic and geographical significance in the region.
What is Visa-free travel?
Visa-free travel allows passport holders to enter a country without prior or on-arrival visa requirements. However, it's essential to understand that they remain subject to immigration procedures, where your passports are verified for validity and may be stamped.
While visa-free travel offers numerous benefits, visitors must strictly adhere to the designated stay duration. Even eligible travellers are usually granted a limited timeframe, often 15 to 90 days, occasionally within a specific 180-day or one-year window. Overstaying constitutes an immigration offense, carrying possible civil or criminal consequences and potential future travel bans to the same destination.
Finland passport visa-free countries and advantages of visa-free travel
You can bypass the need for lengthy application forms and additional documents such as photographs, "Letters of Support," financial statements, or passport copies. This means you don't have to divulge sensitive information. Moreover, you'll enjoy savings on visa fees and can cut down on expenses like flight tickets and accommodation costs. The best part? You can skip the often time-consuming visa processing at embassies or relevant authorities, granting you the freedom to travel spontaneously without the hassle of weeks of planning. Plus, when you arrive, you can bypass long border control queues, gaining access to exclusive lanes for a smoother and more efficient experience.
Finland passport visa-free countries
The Finland passport holds the 4th position globally in the VisaGuide Passport Index. This ranking grants Finnish citizens visa-free access to 159 countries worldwide. Nevertheless, for entry into the remaining countries, holders of Finland passports must initiate visa applications in advance. Here is the list of Finland passport visa-free countries
Albania
Curaçao
Italy
Niue
Saint Lucia
American Samoa
Cyprus
Jamaica
North Macedonia
Saint Martin
Andorra
Czechia
Japan
Northern Mariana Islands
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Anguilla
Denmark
Kazakhstan
Norway
Suriname
Antigua and Barbuda
Dominica
Kiribati
Oman
Sweden
Argentina
Dominican Republic
Kosovo
Pakistan
Switzerland
Armenia
Ecuador
Kyrgyzstan
Palau
Taiwan
Aruba
El Salvador
Latvia
Palestine
Tajikistan
Australia
Estonia
Lesotho
Panama
Thailand
Austria
Falkland Islands
Liechtenstein
Paraguay
Gambia
Bahamas
Faroe Islands
Lithuania
Peru
Timor-Leste
Barbados
Fiji
Luxembourg
Philippines
Tonga
Belarus
France
Macau
Poland
Trinidad and Tobago
Belgium
French Guiana
Malaysia
Portugal
Tunisia
Belize
French Polynesia
Malta
Puerto Rico
Turks and Caicos Islands
Bermuda
Gabon
Marshall Islands
Qatar
Tuvalu
Bolivia
Georgia
Mauritius
Réunion
Türkiye
Caribbean Netherlands
Germany
Mayotte
Romania
United States Virgin Islands
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Gibraltar
Mexico
Samoa
Ukraine
Botswana
Greece
Micronesia
San Marino
United Arab Emirates
Brazil
Greenland
Moldova
São Tomé and Príncipe
United Kingdom
British Virgin Islands
Grenada
Monaco
Senegal
United States
Brunei
Guam
Mongolia
Serbia
Uruguay
Bulgaria
Guatemala
Montenegro
Seychelles
Uzbekistan
Canada
Guyana
Montserrat
Singapore
Vanuatu
Cabo Verde
Haiti
Morocco
Slovakia
Vatican City
Cayman Islands
Honduras
Mozambique
Slovenia
Venezuela
Chile
Hong Kong
Namibia
Solomon Islands
Vietnam
Colombia
Hungary
Netherlands
South Africa
Zambia
Cook Islands
Ice land
New Caledonia
South Korea
Eswatini
Costa Rica
Ireland
New Zealand
Spain
French West Indies
Croatia
Israel
Nicaragua
Saint Kitts and Nevis
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What documents are necessary for Finland citizens to apply for a visa?
A valid Finnish passport (along with a photocopy).
Visa application form.
Passport photos not older than six months.
travel insurance provides coverage for the entire duration of your trip.
Evidence of the visa fee payment.
Travel itinerary outlining your planned destinations.
Invitation letter (if necessary).
Confirmation of your return flight booking.
Proof of pre-booked accommodation.
Documentation demonstrating adequate financial resources to cover your visit.
Civil status documents, such as marriage or birth certificates, if applicable.
Here is the step-by-step process of applying for a visa:
Schedule an appointment at the visa center in Finland: This involves contacting a local visa application center in your home country and arranging a meeting to submit your application. Please note that securing an appointment with the embassy or consulate might take several months.
Organize your documentation: To ensure successful application, you must prepare all the necessary documents for your visa, including your passport, application form, and health insurance, among others. Some documents may require validation through an apostille stamp or certification by a foreign office.
Lodge your application: Once your documents are in order, you can proceed to submit your application and potentially attend a visa interview. Biometric data may also be requested. Your application will be accepted after translating your documents as per the embassy or consulate requirements and validating them with an apostille stamp whenever possible. Subsequently, it may take several weeks for a decision regarding your visa request.
What countries issue visas on Arrival to Finland citizens?
Citizens of Finland can avail visa-on-arrival for the following 28 countries.
Bahrain
Egypt
Laos
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Bangladesh
Guinea-Bissau
Lebanon
Papua New Guinea
Saint Helena
Burkina Faso
Indonesia
Madagascar
Rwanda
Tanzania
Burundi
Iraq
Malawi
Saudi Arabia
Zimbabwe
Cambodia
Jordan
Maldives
Sierra Leone
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Comoros
Kuwait
Mauritania
Somalia
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What is eVisa?
An eVisa is an official electronic document issued by a foreign nation granting you entry into that country. Its most notable benefit lies in its rapid issuance compared to traditional paper-based permits.
What countries issue eVisa to Finland citizens?
Finnish passport holders can obtain e-Visas for entry into 20 countries.
Angola
Democratic Republic of the Cong
Guinea
Nigeria
Azerbaijan
Ivory Coast
India
Russia
Benin
Djibouti
Iran
South Sudan
Bhutan
Equatorial Guinea
kenya
Togo
Cameroon
Ethiopia
Myanmar
Uganda
Steps to apply for an e-Visa
Visit the embassy's official website to find the online visa application link.
Complete the application, ensuring you have an active email address and passport ready.
Attach scanned documents following specified guidelines during the online application.
Submit the visa fee online via credit card and await processing.
You'll receive a confirmation email with a visa status code and a printable confirmation document for your travels upon approval.
How to buy Travel Insurance from Policybazaar.ae
To obtain travel insurance via Policybazaar.ae for Finnish passport holders traveling to visa-free destinations, follow these straightforward steps:
Begin by visiting the official Policybazaar.ae website.
Opt for the travel insurance purchase option from the available choices.
Fill out the online application form, providing essential information like travel dates, destination, and email address.
Select your preferred travel insurance plan that suits your needs.
Safely complete the premium payment online, ensuring a secure transaction.
Following the successful application and payment, travellers will receive a digital copy of the policy document via email.
Policybazaar.ae is vital in simplifying securing travel insurance for Finnish passport holders embarking on journeys to visa-free countries. Their platform offers a diverse range of travel insurance plans, helping travellers to choose coverage that aligns with their specific requirements, whether it's for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, or other travel-related concerns.