Finland Hotels and Resorts

PASSPORTS: Passport valid for at least three to six months required by all except the following provided they hold a valid national ID card:
(a) 1. nationals of EU countries (except Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Sweden), including the French Overseas Departments of Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion but excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands;
(b) nationals of Liechtenstein, San Marino and Switzerland.

Note: The following nationals may also be able to enter Finland with documents other than a passport, although this should be checked prior to arrival, since passport exemptions are not guaranteed in these cases:
(a) 2. Nationals of Croatia and Slovenia with Yugoslavian passports issued prior to the states becoming independent. (b) 3. Nationals of Denmark with an emergency passport. (c) 4. Nationals of Estonia with a temporary travel document. (d) 5. Nationals of Germany and Lithuania with a child document in lieu of passport (Germany also with repatriation certificate). (e) 6. Nationals of Japan and the USA with re-entry permits to their respective countries (USA also with refugee travel documents). (f) 7. Nationals of Latvia with ID documents for stateless persons, or with alien's passport. (g) 8. Nationals of The Netherlands with a Titre de Voyage. (h) 9. Nationals of Poland with an emergency travel document. (i) 10. Nationals of the UK with a certificate of identity or identity card. Passports must be blue and issued after Jan 1 1983, bearing "British Citizen" on page one, and/or "Holder has a right of abode in the UK" on page five. EU passports must bear "European Community" or "European Union" on the front cover and "British Citizen" on the page of personal data.

VISAS: Required by all except the following for a period of up to three months:
(a) nationals listed in the chart and under passport exemptions (with national ID cards) above;
(b) nationals of Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Israel, Korea (Rep), Macau (SAR), Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Romania, Singapore, Uruguay, Vatican City and Venezuela. Visas are required for stays exceeding three months and by all who wish to work during their stay except nationals of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden;
(c) holders of a UN or EU laissez-passer.

Types of visa and cost: A uniform type of visa, the Schengen visa, is issued for tourist, business and private visits. All visas are £24 (€35), regardless of duration of stay or whether single-, double- or multiple-entry. Visa fees may vary with the rate of exchange. The transfer of a visa costs £14.

Note: Spouses and children of EU nationals (providing spouse’s passport and the original marriage certificate/children’s full birth certificate is produced), and nationals of some other countries, receive their visas free of charge (enquire at Embassy for details).

Validity: Transit visas are valid for up to five days. Single-entry and double-entry visas are valid for up to 90 days. Multiple-entry visas are valid for up to one year. Applications for renewal or extension should be made to the Embassy or Authorities in Finland.

Application to: Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses. Visas must be applied for in person at Embassy of Schengen country visited. If visiting more than one Schengen country, apply to the Embassy of the main destination or to the Embassy of the country entered first (if there is no main destination).

Application requirements: (a) One completed, signed application form. (b) One passport-size photo. (c) Passport valid for at least three months from the date of return. An alien's spouse and children under 16 years may travel with passport holder if their names and dates of birth are in the passport, plus photo of spouse and any children under seven years. (d) Re-entry permit into the UK valid for at least three months (for applicants applying at the Finish Embassy in London). (e) Valid travel insurance other than E111. (f) Hotel reservation or original invitation from either a family or company in Finland. (g) Reservation of travel tickets (possibly original return tickets also) and proof of funds. (h) Fee (non-refundable; payable in advance in cash or by postal order only). Business: (a)-(h) and, (i) Letter of invitation from the Finnish company confirming length and purpose of stay and a letter from current employer. For minors under 18 years, letter from college/university and written permission from both parents, plus copy of parents’ passports is needed.

Note: All documents should be submitted both in their original form and with photocopy attached.

Working days required: Up to two weeks, although sometimes longer.

Temporary residence and work: Apply to Finnish Embassy. Work permits and Residence permits should be arranged well in advance. EU nationals are allowed to live and work in Finland without visas or permits for up to three months; for periods exceeding three months, they can obtain a residence permit (a work permit is not required) from the local police station. Contact the Directorate of Immigration for more information (website: www.uvi.fi).

Note: Those wishing to visit the CIS from Finland are advised to obtain their visa in their country of origin; applications made in Helsinki take at least eight working days.