VFS Global Now Provides Finland Visa and Residence Permit Services in 32 Countries

VFS Global has renewed its partnership with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, making it easier for individuals to apply for Finland visas and resident permits. The company will continue to provide essential services like biometric enrollment, document verification, and application submission in 32 countries across 10 regions worldwide.

In a major development for international travellers and residents, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland has re-awarded VFS Global the contract to provide visa and residence permit services.

This renewed agreement enables VFS Global to continue offering comprehensive visa support, including Schengen short-term visas and residence permit services across 32 countries in 10 global regions.

Continuation of a Trusted Partnership

Since its first partnership in 2010, VFS Global has processed over 8.5 million visa applications from Finland. Under the new contract, they will maintain operations across multiple regions, including:

• South Asia
• The Americas
• Southeast Asia
• China
• The Middle East
• North Africa
• Africa
• Europe
• CIS
• Russia

Finland Visa and Residence Permit Options

Finland offers several visa and residence permit options for those seeking to visit or live in the country:

1. Schengen Short-Term Visa: This visa is ideal for travellers visiting Finland for tourism, business, or family purposes for stays up to 90 days within 180 days.

2. Residence Permit for Work or Study: Finland provides residence permits for professionals, students, and other long-term residents planning to stay beyond 90 days. These include specialized permits for skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and those pursuing studies in Finland.

3. Family Reunification Permit: Individuals joining family members already residing in Finland can apply for a residence permit through the family reunification category.

Streamlined Visa and Residence Permit Services

While VFS Global manages essential administrative tasks such as receiving applications, collecting biometric data, and processing fees, the final decision on visa issuance remains solely with Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

According to the Ministry, VFS Global was chosen for its expansive global coverage, quality control, biometric technology, risk management, and customer service standards.

Key Services Provided by VFS Global:

• Biometric Enrollment: Capture and submit biometric data (fingerprints and photographs) as required by the Finnish authorities.
• Document Verification: Ensure that your application documents meet the specific requirements.
• Application Submission: Forward your completed application to the Finnish Immigration Service.
• Status Tracking: Monitor the progress of your visa application online.
• Visa Collection: Collect your passport with the visa decision once it’s processed by the Finnish authorities.

“VFS Global will be responsible for front-end administrative duties only, including application collection, document verification, and biometric enrolment,” emphasized the Ministry. “Visa decisions continue to rest with Foreign Ministry officials.”