Finland visa requirements for Nigerians; Travel and visa requirements
Facts about Finland Visa for Nigerians
Finland’s plethora of lakes makes it a top summer destination. There are a plethora of lakes which have holiday cabins and host activities such as swimming, fishing, and sailing. The Arctic Lapland province is a top destination for tourist, it is a wilderness that has national parks and ski resorts. The country is well-known for its saunas and iconic designs. Finland visa requirements for Nigerians!!!
The tourism industry in Finland accounts for about 2.5% of the Finnish GDP. The industry is responsible for providing about 136,700 jobs. In 2017, Finland played host to over 6.7 million foreign tourists.
Basic Travel Requirements for Nigerians visiting Finland
Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Finnish Visa.
Fully completed and signed visa application form
Two recently taken photos. Both photos must be taken within the last three months and must follow all visa photo requirements.
A valid passport which is not older than 10 years. It should be valid for at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Finland.
A round trip reservation or itinerary. This must include dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Finland.
A travel insurance policy. A document that proves you have travel health insurance for the whole Schengen territory, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros in case of any medical emergency as illnesses, accidents and even repatriation in case of death.
Proof of accommodation. A document that shows where you will be accommodated throughout your stay in Finland.
Proof of financial means. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself financially throughout your stay in the country. This can be one of the following:
Bank account statement – that shows you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement shall be no older than 3 months.
Sponsorship Letter – by another person that confirms they will be financially supporting your trip to Finland. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months.
Proof of paid visa fee. €60 for adults and €35 for children from 6 to 12 years old.
Two recently taken photos. Both photos must be taken within the last three months and must follow all visa photo requirements.
A valid passport which is not older than 10 years. It should be valid for at least three more months beyond the date you plan to leave Finland.
A round trip reservation or itinerary. This must include dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Finland.
A travel insurance policy. A document that proves you have travel health insurance for the whole Schengen territory, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros in case of any medical emergency as illnesses, accidents and even repatriation in case of death.
Proof of accommodation. A document that shows where you will be accommodated throughout your stay in Finland.
Proof of financial means. Evidence that you have enough money to support yourself financially throughout your stay in the country. This can be one of the following:
Bank account statement – that shows you have enough money in your account for the trip. The statement shall be no older than 3 months.
Sponsorship Letter – by another person that confirms they will be financially supporting your trip to Finland. In order for this letter to be valid, it must be accompanied by a bank statement of the sponsor, no older than three months.
Proof of paid visa fee. €60 for adults and €35 for children from 6 to 12 years old.
Finland Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements
To visit Finland for tourism or spend some time with a family member or friend, you need a tourist visa.
First, the visa applicant must download and fill the visa application form completely and accurately.
Make sure your passport is valid for at least three(3) months after the end of your intended travel and that it has been issued no later than ten(10) years ago.
The visa processing fee must be paid in cash upon application. Some embassies accept bank transfers.
A Finland visa can be granted free of charge:
In the event of major disasters or other similar situations whenever supported by humanitarian reasons.
For groups of schoolchildren or adolescents under 18 years of age participating in cultural or sports events to which they have been invited by the event sponsor.
To holders of a diplomatic or service passport or their family members, whose visit will be of considerable importance for the relations between Finland and the foreign state in question.
To be entitled to a visa, you must live or reside legally in the country where you submit the application. If the conditions in your case are not fulfilled, the visa is refused. You will be notified about this refusal in writing.
Common reasons your visa might be refused include:
You do not have an approved, valid travel document.
You do not provide justification to prove the purpose and conditions of your stay.
You do not have sufficient means of subsistence for the duration of the stay.
You are not entitled to return to the country of origin or to continue to a third country.
The mission has well-grounded reasons to doubt that you do not intend to exit the Schengen area before the expiry of the visa that you are applying for.
You may have an entry ban to Finland or to some other Schengen state or be considered to be a danger to a member state’s public order, internal security or international relations.
The visa that has already been granted to you will be annulled if the conditions for issuing it were not met at the time when it was issued.
Finland Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements
Nigerians intending to travel to Finland for business will need to secure a business visa first.
Your travel insurance must be in force for the period of the validity of the applied visa and cover the entire Schengen area. The minimum coverage of the policy must be EUR 30,000 and the insurance must cover expenses arising from a sudden illness and accident(also the patient’s repatriation) and repatriation expenses in case of death.
You will need to provide an invitation letter from the Finnish company you will be visiting. This letter will also contain their detailed address, accompanied with the date and actual purpose of your trip.
If you are employed, you will have to present a certificate from your employer stating or allowing your business travel.
Your bank statement from the last 6 months is needed. Self-employed people will submit proof of business registration.
You cannot be gainfully employed while you are in the country with this visa. It must be made clear whether your trip will be sponsored by the employer or the local company.
A confirmation of hotel reservation or any other means of accommodation should be submitted.
Usually, the inviting company will handle the cost of travel and stay in Finland for the applicant. It must be stated clearly if this is not the case.
If there were previous trade relations between the traveler and the company, proof of such must be provided.
Extending a Finnish short-stay visa is only possible in exceptional cases where new facts and special reasons arise after entry in Finland
Finland Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements
A foreigner who wants to stay and study in Finland will require either a student visa or a student residence permit.
The Finland student visa and the residence permit do not refer to the same document.
Finland student visa is a temporary short-term permit that is issued to a foreign student who wants to stay and study in Finland for a maximum of 90 days(3 months).
Finland student residence permit is issued to a foreign student to wants to stay and study in Finland for duration of more than 90 days(3 months).
Normally, Finland residence permits for students are granted for one year at a time.
A student visa is suitable for those foreign students who plan to take a short-term language course in Finland or want to appear in an entrance examination.
A student residence permit is suitable for those foreign students who have been accepted into a full-term degree course in Finland.
To be eligible for Finland Student Visa or Residence Permit, you must provide the official letter of acceptance issued by your hosting Finnish university or educational institute or polytechnic.
You must provide proof of your financial ability so as to support yourself financially during your entire period of study in Finland and for your return transportation.
At present, a student must have a minimum of EUR 560 per month for staying in Finland. This means the student must have a minimum of EUR 6720 per year for his or her expenses in Finland.
Applicants are advised to make sure their passport is valid for at least three(3) months after the end of their intended travel and that it has been issued no later than ten(10) years ago.
Finland Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements
A foreigner who wants to stay and study in Finland will require either a student visa or a student residence permit.
The Finland student visa and the residence permit do not refer to the same document.
Finland student visa is a temporary short-term permit that is issued to a foreign student who wants to stay and study in Finland for a maximum of 90 days(3 months).
Finland student residence permit is issued to a foreign student to wants to stay and study in Finland for duration of more than 90 days(3 months).
Normally, Finland residence permits for students are granted for one year at a time.
A student visa is suitable for those foreign students who plan to take a short-term language course in Finland or want to appear in an entrance examination.
A student residence permit is suitable for those foreign students who have been accepted into a full-term degree course in Finland.
To be eligible for Finland Student Visa or Residence Permit, you must provide the official letter of acceptance issued by your hosting Finnish university or educational institute or polytechnic.
You must provide proof of your financial ability so as to support yourself financially during your entire period of study in Finland and for your return transportation.
At present, a student must have a minimum of EUR 560 per month for staying in Finland. This means the student must have a minimum of EUR 6720 per year for his or her expenses in Finland.
Applicants are advised to make sure their passport is valid for at least three(3) months after the end of their intended travel and that it has been issued no later than ten(10) years ago.
Finland Visa Fees
Visa Type Visa Fees
Tourist visa 110.00 (USD)
Business visa 110.00 (USD)
Student visa 110.00 (USD)
Work visa 110.00 (USD)
Finland Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Nigeria
Location
Address
Abuja
9 Iro Dan Musa Street, Asokoro and Maputo Street, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja – Nigeria
Website: www.finlandnigeria.org
E-mail: sanomat.aba@formin.fi
Phone: (+234) 803 785 1150 / (+234) 706 418 9000
Frequently Asked Questions
What currency is used in Finland??
The Finnish Markka was replaced in 2002 with the Euro, making Finland the only Nordic country to join the European single currency. The Markka is now out of circulation and the Euro is the only form of legal tender in Finland.
How safe is Finland to travel to??
Generally, Finland is a very safe country to visit. It has fairly low crime rates and if you follow common sense and remain vigilant at all times, you should have no problems in Finland.
Is Finland a Schengen country??
Yes. Finland is one of the 26 Schengen countries.
What are the Nordic countries??
Nordic countries are a group of countries in Northern Europe. These countries include Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, and the territories of the Aland Islands and the Faroe Islands.
