# Travel >> Destinations >> Europe

How to Obtain a Tourist Visa in Finland

The Republic of Finland is a Nordic country located on the Scandinavian Peninsula, bordering Sweden to the east, Russia to the west and Norway to the north. It has long been a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts and lovers of hiking, horseback riding and cruising. Potential tourists are often confused by the rapidly changing visa regulations, especially since Finland's entry into the Schengen Zone. Fortunately, obtaining a Finnish tourist visa is easier than you might think.

Valid passport or national ID card

Instructions

- 1
  Determine whether you need to obtain a Finnish tourist visa by going to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland website. EU residents and U.S. citizens generally do not need to pre-arrange a visa and can simply present their national ID card (EU residents) or valid U.S. Passport at the border. This entry stamp is good for 90 days, after which you must leave Finland.
- 2
  If you do need a Finnish tourist visa, find your nearest Finnish Mission on the "Finnish Missions Abroad by Country" page (see Resources). Contact the Mission during normal business hours for a list of visa requirements.
- 3
  Bring the requested documents, along with your passport and the visa fee, to your local Finnish Mission, or hire one of the many visa arrangement services to process your visa. After two weeks, your visa will be ready.

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