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D-Visa — National D Visa (D-viisumi)

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

Varies

Application Fee

Free

Stay Duration

1 day

Renewable

Job Offer

Not Required

Dependents

Allowed

PR Pathway

Remote Work

Not Required

Official Information

Overview

Long-stay national visa allowing entry and residence in Finland while a residence permit application is processed, available for specialists, students, researchers, start-up entrepreneurs, and others.

The Finnish D visa was introduced in June 2022 as a national long-stay visa designed to accelerate the entry of highly skilled professionals and their families into Finland. Historically, applicants had to wait several weeks for a physical residence permit card to be delivered to an embassy abroad before they could travel.

The D visa solves this by allowing eligible individuals to travel to Finland immediately after their residence permit is granted, with the visa sticker placed in their passport as proof of right to enter.

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

TTOL — Residence Permit for an Employed Person (Työntekijän oleskelulupa)

Finland

TTOL — Residence Permit for an Employed Person (Työntekijän oleskelulupa)

ValidityVaries (Maximum duration for transfer; extensible if transfer continues)

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Specialist Residence Permit (Erityisasiantuntijan oleskelulupa)

Finland

Specialist Residence Permit (Erityisasiantuntijan oleskelulupa)

ValidityVaries (Maximum duration for transfer; extensible if transfer continues)

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Finland

EU Blue Card (EU:n sininen kortti)

ValidityVaries (Can be extended; eligible for fast-track to permanent residency)

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Startup — Start-up Entrepreneur Residence Permit (Startup-yrittäjän oleskelulupa)

Finland

Startup — Start-up Entrepreneur Residence Permit (Startup-yrittäjän oleskelulupa)

ValidityVaries (Maximum duration for transfer; extensible if transfer continues)

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Entrepreneur Residence Permit (Yrittäjän oleskelulupa)

Finland

Entrepreneur Residence Permit (Yrittäjän oleskelulupa)

ValidityVaries (Maximum duration for transfer; extensible if transfer continues)

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be applying for a residence permit or already hold one.

Intended for specific categories such as specialists, growth entrepreneurs, or researchers, or for replacing a lost/stolen residence permit card.

Must have a valid passport.

Must meet the criteria for the associated residence permit if applying simultaneously.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

D visa application form.

Valid passport.

Recent passport photo (compliant with police guidelines).

Proof of residence permit application or status.

Document explaining the need for the D visa (e.g., lost card report, or proof of pending residence permit).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows entry to Finland while waiting for a residence permit decision.
Provides a fast-track entry mechanism for specific skilled workers.
Enables travel to Finland if a residence permit card is lost or expired while abroad.

Worth Knowing

It is not a standalone long-stay visa; it is linked to a residence permit.
Valid for a maximum of 100 days.
Processing times vary but are generally faster than standard entry procedures.

Application Process

Apply for the D visa in conjunction with a residence permit application (via Enter Finland or paper form).

Pay the processing fee (online or at a mission).

Visit a Finnish mission or VFS center to prove identity and provide biometrics.

Leave your passport with the official for the visa sticker to be affixed upon approval.

Receive the D visa, which allows entry to Finland while the residence permit is being processed or if the card is lost.

Application Forms

D Visa Application

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Overview

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Must be applying for a residence permit or already hold one.

Intended for specific categories such as specialists, growth entrepreneurs, or researchers, or for replacing a lost/stolen residence permit card.

Must have a valid passport.

Must meet the criteria for the associated residence permit if applying simultaneously.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

none or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

D visa application form.

Valid passport.

Recent passport photo (compliant with police guidelines).

Proof of residence permit application or status.

Document explaining the need for the D visa (e.g., lost card report, or proof of pending residence permit).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows entry to Finland while waiting for a residence permit decision.
Provides a fast-track entry mechanism for specific skilled workers.
Enables travel to Finland if a residence permit card is lost or expired while abroad.

Worth Knowing

It is not a standalone long-stay visa; it is linked to a residence permit.
Valid for a maximum of 100 days.
Processing times vary but are generally faster than standard entry procedures.

Application Process