Finland visa for South African citizens

Finland’s tourist visa costs €90 at the standard rate published by its authorities. Processing time, as Finland states it: Normally 15 calendar days; up to 45 days if further checks are needed. Apply at least 15 days and at most six months before travel. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area.

Finland has 1 mission in South Africa, with its embassy in Pretoria.

In 2025, Finland’s embassy and consulates in South Africa (Pretoria) received 1,845 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 1,735. 5.3% of applications were refused. In 2024 the rate was much the same, 6.4%. Applications rose by 29% compared with 2024 (1,427).

For comparison, all Schengen states together refused 5.3% of the applications lodged in South Africa that year, from 1.8% at the consulates of Greece to 21.9% at those of Croatia. Finland’s consulates worldwide refused 13.4%. Finland was the 15th most applied-for Schengen state in South Africa.

You apply to the Schengen state that is your main destination (the longest stay or the main purpose; the state of first entry only when there is none), so a lower rate elsewhere is no reason to apply there. The figures cover applications lodged in South Africa, by any nationality: mostly citizens, but also residents from other countries.

For a trip from South Africa to Finland, the published travel advice reads as follows: the US State Department rates Finland at Level 1, exercise normal precautions (updated 12 March 2026), the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to Finland (updated 11 August 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for Finland (updated 13 October 2026). The advice is aimed at each government’s own nationals.

How long South African citizens can stay in Finland

How long South African citizens may stay in Finland is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.

How South African citizens apply

In South Africa, applications go to the Finnish embassy in Pretoria, or to a visa centre acting for Finland; fees, documents and processing times are published by Finland.

Finland and the Schengen area

A Schengen visa issued by Finland lets South African citizens travel in all Schengen states; apply to Finland when it is the main destination of the trip.

Finland’s neighbours for South African citizens

Russia admits South African citizens visa-free. Norway and Sweden require South African citizens to obtain a visa in advance.

Finnish citizens travelling to South Africa

South Africa admits Finnish citizens without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.