A passport is the key to traveling abroad. However, some passports are considered to be “stronger” than others. The world’s most powerful passports are those that offer the greatest travel freedom. The strongest passports are those that allow the holder to enter the most countries easily, without extra entry requirements, such as visas. There are
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USA ESTA Requirements for Finnish Citizens
The US Electronic System for Travel Authorization (also referred to as the ESTA) was launched in 2009 by the American government as part of the United States Visa Waiver Program. This innovative program simplified the process to enter the United States for more than 35 countries, including Finland.
Finnish travelers can apply for the US ESTA entirely online. This means that Finnish visitors no longer need to schedule a personal appointment at a US embassy or consular and request a visa in person.
The application takes less than 15 minutes to fill out, and applicants can expect to receive their approved US ESTA electronically linked to their passport, usually within 2 business days — often much sooner.
Do I Need a Visa to Go to the United States from Finland?
Finnish citizens are recommended to check the US Visa policy to confirm which documentation they need before traveling to the United States. Finnish passport holders planning a brief visit are exempt from needing a visa for the United States.
To enjoy this visa exemption, go straight to the ESTA application and obtain an online entry permit.
The US ESTA is valid for 2 years from the date of issue and allows the holder multiple entries to stay in the United States.
Finnish visitors with an ESTA can stay for a maximum of 90 days with each entry. Visits are permitted for tourism, business, and transit.
Finnish nationals looking to visit the United States for a longer period of stay or other purposes, such as full-time job-seeking opportunities or long-term studies, must schedule an appointment at the United States embassy in Helsinki for further details.
US ESTA Requirements for Finnish Passport Holders
Before beginning the application form for the USA ESTA, applicants must have all the travel documents required for Finnish citizens to apply for the US ESTA. These include having the following documents and information:
- Valid Finland-issued passport
- Current email address where the US government will send a copy of the approved US ESTA
- Valid form of payment, such as a debit or credit card, to pay the US ESTA processing fee
Finland is one of the countries part of the Six-Month Club. This means that travelers from Finland are not obliged to have a passport valid for 6 months. The US government simply requires a passport that will remain valid during their stay in the country.
What to do if one of Your Documents from Finland Expires?
If Finnish applicants have a passport that is misplaced, stolen, or expires before they arrive in the US, they will need to apply for a new ESTA with their recently issued document.
The ESTA is a unique travel authorization that is electronically linked to the original passport used during the application process and is not transferable to a new document.
How Can I Request a USA ESTA from Finland?
Finnish travelers who wish to apply for a US ESTA can do so from the comfort of their own home. To get started, applicants simply need to ensure they have 15 minutes to spare before proceeding to the online application. They will need to have the following information ready when initiating the application:
Personal details:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Country of birth
Passport information:
- Passport number
- Passport issuance date
- Passport expiry date
- Citizenship
Contact details:
- Home address
- Phone number
- Email address
- Emergency Contact
Once Finnish applicants have entered their personal details, they will be required to answer some security and health-related questions. These will include the following subjects:
- Employment details
- Security background
- Medical history
- Details regarding any previous travel or visits to the US
When filling out the application form, travelers from Finland must make sure all the information is correct and accurate. An ESTA application might be rejected due to incorrect or misspelled information. We advise all applicants to go back through the application and make sure that the details entered match up and are correct before submitting the form.
US ESTA Application for Finnish Minors
Finnish families who are planning a visit to the USA and are traveling with minors need to complete an individual application for each member.
Underage applicants’ parents or legal guardians can fill out the application on their behalf and can use the same email ID for all requests.
Payment of the US ESTA Application Fee by Finnish Applicants
After the application form has been filled out and checked thoroughly, the last step in the US ESTA application process is to pay the processing fee. Before actioning payment, we recommend Finnish applicants to ensure their card has been authorized for online payments and carries sufficient funds.
How Will I Receive my US ESTA From Finland?
Once the ESTA form has been paid and submitted, the US government examines the requests received.
The evaluation process for the ESTA is very swift and usually takes up to 2 business days, with many applications being approved sooner.
Upon completion of the evaluation, a copy of the ESTA confirmation will be sent to the Finnish citizen by email. If any of the applications have not been successful for any reason, we recommend that travelers contact the American embassy in Helsinki.
As mentioned above, the US ESTA is issued quickly. International travelers sometimes receive their approved authorization within hours of having applied. However, to account for any unexpected issues, we recommend that Finnish nationals submit an application at least three working days before the intended date of arrival in the US.
The US ESTA is electronically linked to the Finnish citizens’ passport. In theory, they do not need a printed copy when entering the United States of America. However, it is advisable to bring one to ensure you have proof of the travel authorization.
Can Finnish visitors renew their ESTA during their stay in the USA?
Finnish travelers already on US soil are welcome to prolong their stay if their allowed number of days on the ESTA expires soon. However, they must note the ESTA is not renewable inside the USA. To renew it, they must temporarily leave the country and submit their application before returning to the United States.
Application Steps
STEP 1
Complete online applicationSTEP 2
Confirm PaymentSTEP 3
Receive approved VisaCountry policy
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