Family visit · Finland

Visit family in Finland from Nepal: Schengen visa

Last verified 21 Oct 2026

Decision time

15 days (maximum)

Longer if the application needs a more detailed assessment.

Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source

Visa fee

€90

Adults. A service fee is added at the visa application centre. Check the Finnish price list for children.

Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source

How long you can stay

90 days in any 180

A Schengen visa covers all Schengen countries.

Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source

Money to show

€50 per day of stay

Funds must also cover your return or onward trip, and are checked again at the border.

Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source

Family visits to Finland use the same Schengen visa as tourist trips. What changes is the letter or form from your host in Finland.

Decide who pays
If you cover your own costs, your host can send a free-form invitation letter. If your host pays, they fill in the sponsorship form instead.
Get the host's papers ready
For the sponsorship form that means a notarised signature, ID, employment contract and three months of payslips and bank statements.
Apply at VFS Kathmandu
Fill in the form on finlandvisa.fi, book an appointment and attend in person.

Key rules to know

Rule	What it means
If your host does not pay	A free-form invitation letter is enough It includes the host's contact details, your details, and the purpose and length of the visit. An invitation does not guarantee a visa. Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source
If your host pays	Sponsorship form replaces the invitation The host's signature must be notarised. Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source
Host's attachments	ID, employment contract, 3 months of payslips and bank statements Also proof of the right to occupy the home where you will stay, and evidence of family ties or previous meetings. Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source
Your own finances	Still disclose them in your application Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source
Where to apply	VFS Global Visa Application Centre, Kathmandu Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source

Where to apply from Nepal

Applications from Nepal go through these offices.

Kathmandu
VFS Global Visa Application Centre (Finland Schengen visa)
Official page

Schengen visa

One visa for the whole Schengen area

Germany, Finland and Sweden all issue the same short-stay Schengen visa. These rules apply to all three. Each country has its own place to apply and its own extra documents.

Rule	What it means
Maximum stay	90 days in any 180-day period Across the whole Schengen area. A Schengen visa can be single-entry or multiple-entry. Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source
Fee	€90 for adults, €45 for children aged 6 to 12 A service fee may be added if you apply through a visa service centre such as VFS. Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source
Normal processing time	15 days, up to 45 if more checks are needed Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source
When to apply	At least 15 days before, no more than 6 months before Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source
Where to apply	The country where you will spend the longest time If you stay equally long in several countries, apply to the first one you visit. Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source
Travel insurance	At least €30,000, valid in all Schengen states It must cover emergency medical care, hospital treatment and repatriation. Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source
Entry is not guaranteed	Border police make the final decision Carry copies of your invitation, bookings and insurance. Last verified 21 Oct 2026 · Official source

Common questions

Do I need an invitation to visit family in Finland?

A free-form letter from your host is enough when the host does not pay your costs. It includes contact details, your personal details, and the purpose and length of the visit.

What is the sponsorship form?

A form used when the host pays for your trip. It replaces the invitation, and the host's signature must be notarised.

What documents does my host attach to the sponsorship form?

A copy of their ID, their employment contract, their last three months' payslips and bank statements, proof of the right to occupy the home, and evidence of family ties or earlier meetings.

Does an invitation guarantee my visa?

No. The decision is made on the whole application.