Russia Visa Information - Finland

Visitors from most countries will need a visa, it cannot be obtained at the border; therefore you should apply for a Russian visa prior to travelling.

Submission of visa applications and collection of passports can be done by the following:

Please click here to obtain information on who can submit visa application at the Russia Visa Application Service Centre.

Please click here to obtain information on who can submit visa application at the Embassy/Consulate/ Chancellery.

Along with the visa fees, there is a service charge of Euro 21 (inclusive of VAT) applicable per visa application. Visa and service fees can be paid by credit / debit card and cash. Processed applications can also be returned by recorded post at an additional cost when applying at the Visa Application Centre. The delivery time to some postcode areas would take up to 5 working days due to addresses being in rural and hard-to-reach places.

Required documents for all visa categories
Please note that the following essentials must be met by all applicants submitting their applications for visa.

	Valid international passport recognized by the Russian Federation with at least two blank pages for visas. The passport should be valid for a minimum of six months after visa expiration date. If you do not have a blank page to which a visa can be affixed, a new passport must be obtained before submitting your application.
	Fully completed application form, photograph and supporting documents appropriate to the type of visa. Please note that an application form completed from this website only can be accepted. Please note handwritten changes in the printed form are not accepted.

Other information:
Children under 14 travelling alone or whose visa applications are unaccompanied with their parents’ are required to submit following additional documents:

	Signed and dated permission letter from one of the parents giving permission to the child to travel alone or explaining that the parent would be travelling with the child..
	A copy parents’ passports (bio page and a page with the Russian visa).
	If the child’s and parent’s surnames do not match, we would also require a copy of the birth certificate or an extract from the population register to confirm that the permission letter has been provided by the biological parent/guardian.

Important:
Travel insurance policy, which shall correspond to the requirements of the provision on travel insurance of the foreign citizens staying temporarily in Russian Federation, approved by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation as of December 11,1998N1488 for the citizen of the member countries of the Schengen Agreement and other countries by way of mutuality. This rule also applies for the citizens of Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, Israel and Denmark.
Travel insurance policy should contain a logo and a stamp of the insurance company along with a position and a signature of the insurer. If the policy document does not contain any logo, stamp or signature, the insurance should show the name and the contact details of the insurer. Insurance policy should be valid for the whole period of stay in Russia. The policy document should show the name of the policy holder, validity for the duration of the journey as well as indicate the geographical area coverage as worldwide/including Russia. Travel insurance should cover medical expenses and repatriation.

A visa can be issued only if an applicant submits all the required documents. Submission of an incomplete set of documents may result in refusal of visa. The issue of Russian visas is discretionary and depends on examination of each individual case, including purpose of visit and intention to return.

Visa applications can only be submitted at the addresses below.

Russia Visa Application Service Centre in Helsinki
Urho Kekkosen katu 7B, 3rd floor , 00100 Helsinki (Please press the buzzer for entry.) Applications can be submitted from 9.00 to 15.00 Monday to Friday (except declared Holidays). Collection of ready documents is from 9.00 to 16.00.

Russia Visa Application Service Centre in Turku
Kristiinan katu 5, 20100 Turku
Applications can be submitted from 9.00 to 15.00 Monday to Friday (except declared Holidays). Collection of ready documents is from 9.00 to 17.00.

Russia Visa Application Service Centre in Lappeenranta
Kauppa katu 40, Kauppakeskus Galleria, Katukaso , 53100 Lappeenranta.
Applications can be submitted from 9.00 to 15.00 Monday to Friday (except declared Holidays). Collection of ready documents is from 9.00 to 16.00.

Russia Visa Application Service Centre in Mariehamn
Nygatan 6 / Torggatan 4, 22101 Mariehamn
Applications can be submitted or collected from 10.00 to 13.00 Monday to Friday (except declared Holidays).

Applicants are advised not to submit passports in passport covers, as these would be removed and will not be returned to applicants.

Please note: Incomplete applications or applications with insufficient funds will not be processed and shall be returned.

VISA APPLYING
PROCESS

Step 1

Holders of diplomatic and service passports as well as members of official delegations intending to visit Russia on official Business will continue to apply at the Russian Embassy/Consulate/Chancellery in Helsinki, Turku, Mariehamn and Lappeenranta prior to a decision being taken on your application.

Step 2

Before applying, please ensure you are very clear on your ‘purpose of visit’ - do remember we are here to assist and help you through the entire visa application process but are not permitted to advise or guide you on choosing a visa category. Since our work is primarily administrative in nature, we have no say on whether you will be granted a visa as this is entirely the prerogative of the Embassy / Consulate/Chancellery of Russia to decide on granting of visa.

Step 3

Please go to the link “All about visas” to understand details of short stay visas.

Step 4

The application form for all nationalities is available on this website in the section ‘Application form’. Please complete the application form online from this website only and print it. No postal application can be accepted.

Step 5

Please submit your printed and signed application form with all the additional documents to the Russia Visa Application Service Centre. Please note that every visa application needs to be accompanied by a visa fee for the amount applicable to your chosen visa category. Please note handwritten changes in the printed form are not accepted.

Step 6

Please ensure you read the security regulation notices before you visit the Visa Application Centre / Embassy/ Consulate/ Chancellery

Step 7

Please note that in order to collect your passport at the Visa Application Service Centre you will need to present the original receipt given to you during the submission which will be collected from you as a proof of delivery of your passport. Please make sure you have a copy of it if you require it for your records.

Step 8

It is Applicant’s responsibility to check the validity of the visa issued to ensure that it covers the period of stay requested, the number or entries required, and that it is valid for the purpose of trip immediately after collection of the passport.