How Indian passport holders get a visa for Finland: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India
- Government fee: €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance mandatory.
- Processing time: Officially 15 working days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres; up to 8 weeks in May–August aurora and summer peak.
- Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the entire Schengen area
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 42/100
Documents you'll need
- Passport valid 3+ months beyond intended exit, 2 blank pages, issued within the last 10 years
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
- Two biometric photos (35×45 mm, white background, ICAO-standard)
- Cover letter with itinerary and purpose
- Confirmed round-trip flight booking
- Hotel bookings for every night / detailed day-by-day itinerary
- Bank statements for last 3 months
- ITR for last 2 years
- Travel medical insurance valid across Schengen, minimum €30,000 cover
- Employment proof / leave letter; for self-employed: GST or company registration
How & where to apply
Apply through the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi via VFS Global India. VFS Finland centres are in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. Biometrics are mandatory in person (children under 12 are exempt). VFS Global — Finland visa India (official partner)
Transit & connections
An ordinary Schengen visa lets you transit any Schengen airport landside.
How Finland compares in Schengen Europe
With an ease score of 42/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. Finland requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇫🇮 Finland | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 working days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres; up to 8 weeks in May–August aurora and summer peak. |
| 🇮🇸 Iceland | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — via Denmark embassy + VFS in India | €90 short-stay visa fee (in force since 11 June 2024). Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS Global service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days from receipt at the Royal Danish Embassy New Delhi (which represents Iceland). Realistically 3–5 weeks; up to 8 weeks during the May–September peak. |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via BLS International in India | €90 short-stay visa fee (in force since 11 June 2024) — collected in INR (~₹9,599 for adults; ~₹4,799 for children 6–12; under 6 free). BLS International service charge extra (~₹1,802). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory. | Officially 10–15 working days at the Spanish Embassy New Delhi or Consulate General Mumbai. Realistically 2–4 weeks; longer during May–August peak. |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge ~₹2,000–2,400. Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days from receipt at the Danish Embassy New Delhi. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres; allow 4 weeks minimum in March–September peak. |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge (~₹2,000 / €20). Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 working days. Realistically 3–5 weeks; up to 45 working days in peak. Add 2 days courier from Delhi, 4–6 days from other cities. |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge ~€19 / ~₹1,800–2,000. Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres. |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–6 weeks at most Indian VFS centres, stretching to 8–10 weeks during May–August and December–January peaks. |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
Finland approval rates for Indians are generally healthy; sloppy itineraries or weak ties to India are the main reasons applications are rejected. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://finlandabroad.fi/web/ind/where-and-how-to-apply-for-a-visa-
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Finland?
Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India. Finland approval rates for Indians are generally healthy; sloppy itineraries or weak ties to India are the main reasons applications are rejected.
What documents do Indians need for a Finland visa?
Passport valid 3+ months beyond intended exit, 2 blank pages, issued within the last 10 years; Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; Two biometric photos (35×45 mm, white background, ICAO-standard); Cover letter with itinerary and purpose; Confirmed round-trip flight booking; Hotel bookings for every night / detailed day-by-day itinerary; Bank statements for last 3 months; ITR for last 2 years; Travel medical insurance valid across Schengen, minimum €30,000 cover; Employment proof / leave letter; for self-employed: GST or company registration
How long does a Finland visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: Officially 15 working days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres; up to 8 weeks in May–August aurora and summer peak.. Government fee: €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance mandatory.. Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the entire Schengen area.
How do Indians apply for a Finland visa?
Apply through the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi via VFS Global India. VFS Finland centres are in New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. Biometrics are mandatory in person (children under 12 are exempt). Official source: https://finlandabroad.fi/web/ind/where-and-how-to-apply-for-a-visa-
Is a Finland visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 42/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a Finland visa online or on arrival?
Finland requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
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