VISA APPLICATION FINLAND

Schengen visa

A visa refers to an enter clearance, which is granted for a short or temporary visit to a country (no more than 90 days within six months). A visa entitles to enter the Schengen area provided that  other preconditions for the entry are met. Nationals of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar need a visa in the Schengen area.

As of 1st of August 2006 the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany represents Finland in Schengen-visa matters in Myanmar. Visa applications from Laos and Cambodia are still handled at the Embassy of Finland in Bangkok.

The 15 Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden.

Application forms together with the required appendices shall be submitted in person (not via e-mail, by mail or telefax) to the Embassy during the office hours, from Monday through Friday between 8.00 to 11.00. The application can be submitted earliest about 1 month before the intended travelling date. 

From 1.1.2007 the visa processing fee increased to 60 euros and it is charged when the application is submitted. The fee is paid in cash in the Thai currency at the valid rate of exchange. The processing fee is non-refundable. The fee is not charged if the visa applicant belongs to one of the following categories:

- children under six years
- school pupils, students, post graduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for the purpose of study or educational training
- researchers travelling for the purpose of carrying out scientific research.

For more information on the Internet, please visit: 
Foreign Nationals arriving in Finland
Foreign nationals requiring a visa

Inquiries regarding the entry permits to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar shall be directed to the authorities of the country in question. The contact details you find from this link. 

General Schengen visa requirements: 

• visit to the Embassy in person
• passport (which is valid at least three months following the end of the visit) and a copy of it
• an identity card and a copy of it 
• a Schengen visa application form carefully completed, dated and signed by the applicant (application form, pdf)
• a recent colour passport photograph, taken within the past six months, size 36 mm high x 47 mm wide, the facial dimensions being 32 mm X 36 mm, against an off-white or light background)
• foreign nationals staying in Thailand must be in possession of a valid residence or work permit for Thailand

Additional enclosures:

Private visit (processing time from 5 to 7 working days) 

• an invitation letter which gives the required details concerning the host and visitor (names, dates of birth, addresses, phone numbers), the purpose and duration of the visit, confimation of accommodation including the address, account of the relationship between the host and the visitor. The invitation letter must be signed and dated.
• a marriage certificate if the applicant and the visitor are married
• a certificate of family relationship between the host and the applicant (such as a birth certificate), if a family visit
• a copy of the host's passport or other identity document
• flight reservation
• proof of employment /holiday
• proof of sufficient funds (such as a copy of a recent bank statement)

Tourist visit (processing time from 5 to 7 working days) 

• the itinerary
• flight and hotel reservation 
• proof of employment /studies/holiday 
• evidence of sufficient funds (such as a copy of a recent bank statement)

Business trip/conference (processing time from 1 -2 working days)

• flight reservation
• an invitation letter from a business partner/an organization, which  states the contact information (name of the contact person, phone number and address), purpose and date of travel
• confirmation by the sending company/organisation about the travel and its purpose
• the Embassy may ask for additional enclosures, as appropriate, such as an extract from the Register of Companies, evidence of sufficient funds.

Upon collecting one's visa, the applicant shall produce duly paid return tickets and a traveller's insurance (.rtf) and copies of both. The insurance must be valid for the duration of the travel. The minimum amount of the insurance indemnity is 30,000 euros. The Embassy recommends payment of the flight tickets and insurance fee only after the application has been accepted. If the visa is collected by a proxy, he or she has to have a letter of attorney.

EU/EEA -citizen's family members can have a visa free of charge and they are not under an obligation to present a traveller's insurance. However, tourists are advised to be in possession of a valid traveller's insurance.

Applicants can make inquiries concerning their visas during phone service hours from Monday through Thursday between 13.00 and 15.00 on +66-2-250 8801. The right of appeal does not apply to decisions concerning visas.

Even if a visa has been granted, the preconditions for entry in the  country are assessed at the external border. Persons who need a visa must produce a valid travel document, a visa, a traveller's insurance and, as required, other documents related to the travel. Furthermore, persons who need a visa must in possession of sufficient funds in relation to the duration and purpose of the visit and costs of living in the destination as well as money for onward or return travel.

List of insurance companies accepted by the Embassies of the Schengen Countries in Bangkok (.rtf)