Visa

Foreigners can contact the Consular section for matters concerning entry into and residence in Finland.

Visa

A visa is an entry permit for a short, temporary stay that cannot exceed 90 days. A visa entitles a foreign national subject to the visa requirement to enter and stay in the Schengen area according to the validity of the visa. One may not, however, exceed a total of 90 days during the six months following one's first entry into the Schengen area.  (Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden). 

Foreign nationals requiring a visa to Finland need to apply for one in their country of residence.  An applicant may apply for a visa at the Finnish Embassy only if Finland is the main destination or, in the case of multiple destinations, the first entry point into the Schengen Area.

Who needs a visa to Finland?

• Visa requirement in the Schengen area and travel documents accepted by Finland

The processing of a visa can take 15 days, so it is advisable that applications are submitted well in advance as the process might take some time.  You can submit your visa application 90 days before planned traveling. The Embassy of Finland in Nairobi requires a personal visit by all visa applicants.  Applications submitted by fax or e-mail cannot be accepted.

The final decision for entering the country always rests with the border control officials. Upon arrival at the border of first Schengen country, the Border Guard Service has the right to check that all entry requirements have been met, and may refuse entry into the country. 

NB! THE EMBASSY DOES NOT ISSUE VISAS FOR PARTICIPATING IN SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAM IN FINLAND!

The minimum Schengen visa requirements are presented in the EU Delegation website. These requirements apply for the purposes of: 

• Visit for medical treatment

• Tourists visit

• Sport visit

• Business and conference visit

• Visit by children (under 18 years)

• Visit for study and research purpose

Minimum visa requirements to visit family and friends

• Visa application form – Duly completed and signed by the applicant. 
• Visa questionnaire Visa questionnaire (PDF 7 kt)
• Passport (including previous passports, if any) or travel document.  Valid for at least three months after expiry of visa
• One Colour Photograph (47 x 36 mm) White background, max. 3 months old.  Further instrucitons available at Police
• Visa Application Fee (non-refundable) equivalent to EURO 60 in Kenya Shillings (rate changes every month) should be paid into the embassy account. The pay slip can be obtained when filing the application.
• Proof of purpose of travel  e.g. invitation letter (not older than 3 months).  Please ensure that you have included the name, address, telephone number and date of birth (if private visit) of your host.
• Sufficient funds, or evidence of maintenance available in Finland. The minimum amount of money required is EURO 30 (thirty) per day (this is in addition to accommodation)
• Evidence of accommodation available in Finland  e.g. hotel reservations
• Flight booking / tickets  When submitting the application a booking for a return flight is sufficient.  
• Travel Insurance  Obtainable at travel agencies or insurance companies.  To cover any expenses which might arise in connection with urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment, and repatriation for medical reasons or in case of death. The minimum coverage shall be EURO 30 000 (or equivalent in Ksh).  The travel insurance must be valid throughout the Schengen territory and for the entire duration of your stay.  The original insurance policy is to be presented at the Embassy at the time of submitting the application. - List of Schengen agreed insurance companies
• Consent of both parents for minors and copies of parents'/guardians' passports/id
• All documents must be submitted at the time of application; the Visa Section will not accept incomplete applications.  

The Embassy of Finland may request additional documentation, such as bank statements, birth or marriage certificates, a letter from the applicant's employer.

Even if all above mentioned documents are supplied the Embassy of Finland may still refuse a visa.

Kindly call the Embassy to make an appointment time for visa interview. Appointments can be made for the regular customer service hours: Tue-Thurs 9:00-12:00.

For further information contact the visa section at visa.nai@formin.fi.