Finland Visa Application Centre provide Finland Schengen visa for US green card holders only for short stay only. Make sure that you have a clear idea on your ‘purpose of visit’ before you apply for Finland Schengen visa. Apply for your Schengen visa at the consulate or designated visa application center of your final destination within the Schengen area.
The purpose of this article is to provide you with the complete information and assistance that you need to apply for a Schengen Visa to enter Finland for US green card holders.
We have all the relevant information and tips that you need for a smooth Finland visa application process, whether you are planning for holidays / vacation, business trip, or any other kind of trip.
Get more information here or if you find difficulties for getting visa, then please take visa consultation from us, we will help you out getting your visa in easy way.
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Is the Finland Schengen Visa required even for USA citizens?
US Citizens don’t need a Schengen visa to visit Finland or any other Schengen Area country for purposes such as vacations, business trips, short term studies, sports or cultural events, or any short term medical treatment. But US citizens can only stay without a Finland visa for three months (till 90 days) in a six-month term (180 days).
As per the Schengen Area Free Movement Agreement, your identity (the country that issues your passport) is more important than the country where you live.
Therefore, if your country does not have a free movement deal, you will need to get a Finland Schengen visa before you go there.
US citizens should take care not to exceed the 90-day period in order to avoid fine or penalty or being lose their ability to submit applications for additional Schengen visas.
Is the Finland Schengen Visa required for US Green Card Holders?
US passport holders do not need a visa to enter Finland or Europe or Schengen Area and may travel visa-free, although this does not apply to all US passport holders.
Furthermore, because green card holders are nationals of third countries, they require a Schengen visa to go to Europe.
To visit any Finland, US green card holder must have to apply for a Finland Schengen visa. If you do not have a Schengen visa, you cannot visit Finland or any of the Schengen European nations. You can apply for the Finland Schengen visa, if you want to spend the most time, or you can apply for the one that would allow you to enter the Schengen zone.
Who can Apply for Finland Schengen visa in United States for Green card holders?
You can apply for a Finland Schengen visa from the US if:
- If you are planning to visit only Finland in Europe
- If you are planning spend your most of the time in Finland which is your primary destination
- If you are planning spend equal amount of time in multiple Schengen countries, Then you need to take Finland Schengen visa, in case you are entering Finland first among other Schengen countries.
- if you are US citizen, and in case previously if you have been denied visa-free entry in Finland or any Schengen nation.
- You are a citizen of a other nation who need a visa to enter Finland and other Schengen Area. You must be a legal resident of the United States. For example Green card holders, H1B, F1 (I-20) and etc
How to Apply for Finland Schengen visa for US for green card holders ?
Let us walk you through the step to step guide to get you Finland Schengen visa:
- Identify the Visa type to visit Finland: The first thing you need to do is figure out what type of Finland visa you need and apply for it. You need to know what are all documents you need to send with your visa application, and make sure that you have to follow the rules for your visa type.
- Fill the Finland visa application: Download the Finland visa application form, fill it, print the completed form, and bring it with you to the Visa Application Centre for submission.
- Book an Finland Visa Appointment: Once you have filled your visa form, you need to book an appointment.
- Attend your scheduled Visa appointment: You need to submit your completed Finland visa application form at the Visa Application Centre.
- Pay your Finland Visa fees: You’ll need to pay the Finland visa application fees once you have submitted your visa application.
- Track your Finland Visa application: You can track the status of your Finland visa application online by using your Reference Number which is on the invoice/receipt provided by the Visa Application Centre.
What are the Finland Schengen Visa Requirements for the US Green Card Holders?
Before applying for a Finland visa in the United States for Green card holders, you must gather the following documents which is very important to get your Finland Schengen visa:
- Finland visa application form: The applicant need to fill out with correct details, date, and sign the Schengen visa application form.
- Recent Two Photographs: You need 2 recent photographs. To check out the visa application photograph specifications, please, click here
- Valid passport: Must be valid for at least three months after the trip, and should issued within the last 10 years, also should have at least two blank pages.
- Documents for third country citizens: Valid US Green card or visa which should be valid at least 3 months after the departure from the Schengen nation.
- Cover letter: A cover letter is mandatory in order to state the purpose of your visit in Finland or any other Schengen country.
- Proof of civil status:
- Travel medical insurance
Documents proving the journey’s purpose
- Proof of Travel itinerary: A brief written explanation of the travel itinerary.
- Flight reservations: If a any other third country is visited before or after the trip, Flight ticket bookings, as well as any necessary visas, must be supplied.
- Proof of accommodation: For the entire trip, you will have to show proof of where you are going to stay in all Schengen countries.
Records attesting to the circumstances of the applicant
- Proof of financial Status: Proof of sufficient funds which covers your whole trip
- Sponsorship Letter:
Proof of employment.
- For employed:
- Proof of employment contract
- Latest 6 month bank statements
- Leave permission from your current company / employer
- ITR (Income Tax Return) Certificate
- For Unemployed:
- If you are dependent on someone financially, the you need to submit notarized letter from the person you’re economically dependent
- For self-employed:
- Proof of your business license
- Latest 6 month bank statements of your company
- ITR (Income Tax Return) Certificate
- If foreign students in the US on F1 visas:
- Reference letter from the Institute / University / college in the US
- Valid I-20
- For retired:
- Latest 6 month bank Statement
Documents for minors:
- Passport or ID copies of parents / guardian
- Signed Finland visa application form by parents / guardian
- Birth certificate according to the laws of the parent / guardians’ home country
- Permission to travel from the parent / guardian(s) if they are not travelling together with the child.
- Proof of sufficient funds from parent / guardian
What are the Finland Schengen Visa Types for the US Green Card Holders?
Check out for different types of Finland Schengen Visa here:
- Finland Tourist Visa: You can apply for tourist visa for recreation, leisure and sightseeing.
- Finland Business Visa: If you are planning to visit Finland on a formal, business-related trip, then you need to apply for business visa
- Invitation letter:
- Proof of employment
- Finland Transit Visa: You need Finland transit visa if you are stopping in one of Finland’s airports for a short time.
- Finland Visitor Visa: You need visitor visa, if your relatives or friends who is living in Finland.
- Finland Diplomat visa: for official visits by government officials or national groups.
- Finland Medical visa: If you are looking out for surgery or medical treatment in Finland,.
- Finland visa for Sports, Film Crew: If you are planning to visit Finland for cultural, sports activities as participant or audience, then you need this type of visa.
- Finland Student Visa: Enrolling in a university in Finland. Then you need to obtain a student visa or study visa.
- Italy Spouse Visa: If you planned to join your spouse who either is a citizen or has a work permit for.
Where should US Green Card Holders can apply for Finland Schengen visa?
To begin the Finland visa application process, you can visit to the nearest Embassy or Mission of Finland. But VFS is designated Visa application center that is properly authorized, who is going to provide Finland Schengen visa behalf of Finnish consulate or embassy.
You need to apply at VFS Global Visa Application Centers. Please check out VFS center which is located at:
Where to book an visa appointment for Finland for green card holders in USA?
VFS assist visa applicants throughout the every step of Finland visa application process by collaborating with governments all over the world. You need to book an Finland Schengen visa appointment online on the respective website of the branch. As mentioned earlier, there are 7 VFS Visa application centers are available where you need to submit the required documents and Finland visa application.
What is the processing time for Finland Schengen visa in US?
The application processing may take around 15 working days, but it may take longer if your visa application is incomplete or if more examination is required. The Consulate General of Finland in New York or Los Angeles may require additional documentation and information, or they may ask you for an interview, which might extend the processing time.
The applicable Consular authority may extend the period of consideration of your Finland visa application by up to 30 calendar days, according to Article 23 of the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Establishing a Community Code on Visas. In certain circumstances when the individual Consular authority needs extra documentation or information, they may extend the term of review of your visa application up to a maximum of 45 working days.
Carelessly filling the visa application with incorrect details and making mistakes can cause delay or denial of your visa.
What will happen at the Visa Application Centre On the day of your Finland visa appointment?
Steps need to follow on the day of Visa appointment:
- You have to visit VFS visa application center in person, you can not send any other behalf of you.
- You have be punctual, at least you have to reach 15 min before your visa appointment
- Children under 18 years can enter the VFS Visa Application Centre with one parent/guardian.
- You need to carry all your necessary documents without missing any.
- If you miss your appointment on scheduled day, you can reschedule within 24 hours of the original appointment date.
- You must submit your fingerprints and a photograph at the visa application center, which is called biometric information collection. The processing of your visa application cannot be done without having biometric information.
- They will capture your facial and fingerprint scan.
- Your digital photograph needs to show your whole face. Should not wear anything for religious or moral reasons which will cover your face, you can’t wear sunglasses, colored glasses, or a hat.
- You need not to submit biometric data, If you have applied for a Schengen Visa in last 59 months.
- Kids who are under 12 years, need not to submit biometric data.
Flight Itinerary for Finland Schengen Visa for Green Card holders
Travel Itinerary means your day to day activities of your entire trip. If you want to get a tourist or business visa or any short stay visas, most consulates or Visa application centers require you to send them a full day-by-day travel plan.
But how do you write one? Is there a standard way to write a trip itinerary? for this we will help you to create your Flight Itinerary and clear how to plan a trip for a Finland visa. Quick approval in 5 minutes.
Get more information about Flight Itinerary here
Difference between Flight Itinerary and Booking Flight tickets.
Flight Itinerary and Booking Flight tickets are completely different. Travel Itinerary means your day to day activities of your entire trip. Flight tickets booking document means, you have to submit your round trip flight bookings which proves that how many days you are going to stay in Finland and other Schengen area.
And it is quite risky that to take fully paid flight tickets, in case your visa gets denied then you may or may not get refund. instead of that we will help you create dummy flight tickets for you. Once your visa approved then you can take pay and take original flight tickets.
Travel Insurance for Finland Schengen Visa for Green Card holders
Every applicant, even kids, needs to have Travel medical insurance. Its very important document to apply for not only Finland and it is mandatory for many countries. Only people who are applying under Directive 2004/38/EC and people with diplomat or official passports are exempt.
Certificate from the insurance company that lists the applicant’s name, the dates of coverage, the amount of coverage, and the minimum coverage of €30.000 or $50.000. There shouldn’t be any limits in the insurance costs. Click on the link below to get insurance.
Insurance should cover the entire duration of the planned stay in the Schengen area.
You must bring original and a copy of your travel insurance policy when you submit your Finland visa application.
Certificate from the insurance provider stating the applicant’s name, the dates of coverage, the amount of coverage, and the minimum coverage of €30.000 (about $50.000).
For further information check this Travel Insurance for Finland Visa guide.
Insurance costs should not be limited in any way. To obtain insurance, please click on the link provided below.
Cover letter for Finland Schengen Visa for Green Card holders
A visa application cover letter is nothing but a formal letter which you need to submit at the Finnish consulate or embassy or Visa Application center. The main goal of this cover letter is to provide information about your journey, the purpose of your visit, your financial status, and any other relevant information that may support your Finland visa application.
The cover letter for visa application need to be prepared professionally and should be included to the rest of the Finland visa application Documentation. For further information check this Cover letter for Finland Visa guide.
What is the Finland Schengen visa fees for US Green card holders?
Check out the Finland Schengen visa fees stated below:
- Schengen visa (age 12 years and above) – EUR 80
- Children, ages 6–11 – EUR 40
- Children, 0 to 5 years old – Free
- Schengen visa for citizens, including children ages 6–11, from these countries Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Ukraine is – EUR 35
- For citizens of Gambia – EUR 120
- For citizens of Ukraine and Belarus – EUR 70
What to do if my Finland visa is refused ?
A standard form is used to give the brief information about to know that their Schengen visa application has been denied and the reasons for the rejection. The decision to refuse the visa specifies the reasons for the refusal.
You need to appeal the refusal. The appeal must be submit to the Finnish Consulate / embassy that chose to refuse the visa within 15 days of receiving it. The appeal must be an original with the appellant’s original signature which need to submit in person or by mail (not email by post)
And the appeal must include your complete details as well as the need to mention the reason for your Finland Schengen visa refusal. This appeal will be reviewed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within 35 days