A Schengen visa is a permit to enter the Schengen area for a temporary stay. A visa holder is not allowed to work. Visa holders may move freely within the Schengen area during the validity of the visa.
The Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and The Netherlands.
Visa applications from India, the Maldives and Bhutan are processed by the Embassy of Finland in New Delhi.
Application Process
Visa hours
Visa applications can be submitted from Monday to Thursday from 10.00 to 12.00 hours. The applicant has to submit all required documents together with the application form. No prior appointments are necessary for the submission of visa or residence permits.
Working hours for visa section
Monday - Thursday
Receipt of applications 10.00 - 12.00 hours
Telephone enquiries 14.00 - 16.00 hours
Delivery of ready documents 16.00 - 17.00 hours
Friday
No applications will be received
Telephone enquiries 12.00 - 13.00 hours
Delivery of ready documents 13.00 - 13.45 hours
Visa fees
Visa processing time
The processing time for a visa is 10 - 12 working days.
General Requirements for Visa Application
Visas cannot be applied earlier than 3 months prior to the departure.
Personal appearance of the applicant (if there is no previous Schengen history)
Valid passport (valid at least 3 months after the intended journey has ended)
Previous passports must be presented at the Embassy when submitting the visa application
Schengen visa application form duly completed, dated and signed by the applicant. The form can be obtained free of charge at the Embassy or downloaded from the link below:
Schengen visa application form (pdf)
Photocopies of all the documents submitted to the Embassy with the application
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