Effective October 1, 2025, the embassy of Finland in Doha, Qatar will start providing residence permit services within its consular district for Qatar and Kuwait. In addition, the Doha embassy will replace the Finnish embassy in Abu Dhabi in the provision of consular services to Pakistani nationals and complement the services of the Finnish embassy in Ankara to provide residence permit services to Iraqi citizens.
Residence permit applications for Finland are accepted from Qatari, Kuwaiti and Pakistani nationals as well as from applicants residing legally in these countries (with a residence permit etc.). Iraqi nationals and applicants residing legally in Iraq (with a residence permit etc.) can submit their residence permit application for Finland either in Ankara or Doha.
Visa applications for Finland are accepted from Qatari nationals as well as applicants residing legally in Qatar (with a QID). Iraqi nationals can submit their visa application either in Ankara or Doha.
Visa and residence permit application submissions in Qatar are outsourced to an application center operated by VFS Global. Visa applications will be received on behalf of Finland at the VFS application center starting September 30, 2025, and residence permit applications starting October 1, 2025.
- All applicants must visit the Application Centre personally to be identified and to give biometric identifier information.
- All visa and residence permit applicants are served by appointment only.
- Residence permit applications should be filled online beforehand at https://migri.fi/enter-finland. To guarantee a smooth and quick identification visit at VFS Doha, the embassy recommends online applications and online payment in the online service Enter Finland. In addition, paper applications are accepted. The Finnish Immigration Service is the responsible authority in residence permit matters.
- Visa applications can be filled online at https://finlandvisa.fi/ or on paper. The embassy of Finland in Doha processes visa applications according to the Visa Code.
- A service fee (EUR 20 paid in QAR) will be charged at the Application Centre together with the residence permit fee (if not paid online) or visa fee.
- All confirmed residence permit and/or visa application appointments under the embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi or embassy of Finland in Ankara will remain as agreed. For those who have started their residence permit process in Abu Dhabi or Ankara or submitted their visa application in Ankara, the process will continue in the same embassy where it started.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.