Finland Visa RequirementsFor Russia passport holders
Russian citizens require a Schengen visa to enter Finland, and critically, all land border crossings between Russia and Finland have been closed since April 2024. Entry is only possible by air or sea.
Russia passport holders require a visa to enter Finland.
Apply at the Finnish Embassy in Moscow (Tehtaankatu 1, Helsinki processes; local address: Kropotkinsky per. 15/17) or through the VFS Global service center. The standard Schengen fee is 80 EUR (approximately $87). Documents required include a completed application, valid passport, biometric photos, travel insurance covering the entire Schengen Area (minimum 30,000 EUR), proof of accommodation in Finland, bank statements, employment or study documentation, and a detailed cover letter. Processing takes 15 to 30 days. All travel must be via air (Helsinki-Vantaa, Tampere, or other Finnish airports from third countries) or by sea, as land crossings are closed.
Finland is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond departure from Schengen
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
Russia to Finland: What You Need to Know
Finland shares a 1,340 km land border with Russia, the longest of any EU member state. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Finland joined NATO in April 2023 and subsequently closed all its land border crossings with Russia to general passenger traffic in April 2024, citing security concerns and the managed influx of asylum seekers. Finnish-Russian relations have deteriorated sharply, and Finland is among the EU member states most stringent in reviewing Schengen visa applications from Russian nationals. The Finnish Embassy in Moscow continues to accept visa applications but scrutinizes them carefully, and approval rates for tourist visas have fallen significantly. Russian applicants with family ties to Finland or legitimate business reasons have a better prospect of approval than pure tourists.
Practical Tips
Do not attempt to travel to Finland overland from Russia as all border crossing points are closed to regular passenger traffic as of 2024. Book flights via a connecting country such as Turkey, the UAE, or Serbia. Ensure your application demonstrates a clear, legitimate reason for visiting Finland, as purely recreational tourist applications face high rejection rates. Consider consulting an immigration lawyer or visa specialist familiar with Finnish consular requirements for Russian applicants before submitting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Russian citizens travel to Finland by land?
No. All land border crossings between Russia and Finland have been closed to general passenger traffic since April 2024. Finnish authorities closed the crossings citing security concerns and migration pressure. Russian citizens can only enter Finland by air (from a third country, as direct flights between Russia and Finland are not operating) or by sea via the Helsinki ferry routes.
Do Russian citizens need a visa for Finland?
Yes. Finland is a Schengen Area member state and Russian passport holders require a Schengen short-stay visa (type C). The fee is 80 EUR (approximately $87). Applications are submitted at the Finnish Embassy in Moscow, though appointment availability is limited and processing times have lengthened significantly since Finland joined NATO and closed its land border with Russia in 2022 and 2024 respectively.
Are there direct flights from Russia to Finland?
No. Direct flights between Russian airports and Finland have been suspended since early 2022 following the reciprocal airspace closures between Russia and EU member states. Russian travelers must fly to Finland via a connecting country such as Turkey (Istanbul), the UAE (Dubai or Abu Dhabi), or Serbia (Belgrade) and then onward to Helsinki or other Finnish airports.
How difficult is it for a Russian citizen to get a Finnish Schengen visa in 2024?
It is significantly more difficult than before 2022. Finland has joined the NATO alliance and has adopted stricter national guidelines for Russian visa applicants. Tourist visa applications face heightened scrutiny and higher refusal rates. Applicants with strong ties to Finland such as family members with Finnish citizenship, academic exchange programs, or documented business relationships have better prospects. A detailed, well-documented application with a clear purpose of travel is essential.