Finland will allow visa applicants to finance their visit using the funds of the inviting party or sponsor from January, the country’s ministry for foreign affairs.

However, the inviting party which will either a Finnish citizen or a person residing in Finland with a residence permit, must fill in a proof of sponsorship form to be attached to the visa application.

The country has also increased the limit of financial requirement for travelers arriving in the country for short stays.

The regulations, effective from January 1, will require travellers to have available funds of at least 50 Euros, instead of the former 30 Euros, for each day they spend in Finland.

“This financial requirement applies to visits of no more than 90 days. Financial requirement is raised as it has been lagging behind as the cost of living has increased, Finland’s foreign ministry stated in the statement.

Finland is also set to apply Article 14.4 of the EU’s Visa Code, which provides for the introduction of a maintenance and accommodation agreement.