Apply for a U.S. Visa

Effective January 5, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. EDT, the CDC requires a negative COVID-19 test result taken within two days of departure or proof of recovery from the virus within the last 90 days for all travelers, age two years and older, to the United States on flights originating from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), including the Special Administrative Regions (SAR) of Hong Kong and Macau. This requirement also applies to passengers who have been in China, Hong Kong, or Macau in the past 10 days and are traveling to the United States from one of the following airports: Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, South Korea; Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Canada; and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Canada. CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for non-U.S. citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect. below Visit the CDC website for additional information.

The U.S. Embassy in Finland does not process applications for refugee or asylum status in the United States. We request you to refer to the below link for more information about seeking refugee or asylum status

.

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) may be able to provide support to Ukrainians in Poland. Please refer to this link for more information. Additionally, you may also refer to this link for more information on resources available for Ukrainians in Poland, provided by the government of Poland. You may visit this link for questions about Humanitarian Parole into the United States.

Select here to learn more about certain individual petition-based visa applicants who are now eligible for waiver of interview.

Effective Sunday, June 12 at 12:01 a.m. EDT, the CDC rescinded its Order requiring all airline or other aircraft passengers to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 to board any aircraft destined to the United States from a foreign country. Of note, CDC’s Order requiring proof of vaccination for non-U.S. citizen nonimmigrants to travel to the United States is still in effect. For more information see Requirement for Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers.

Additionally, if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, or believe you may have been exposed to the Novel Coronavirus, you are strongly encouraged to postpone your appointment by at least 14 days.

Secretary Blinken, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has temporarily expanded the ability of consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for individuals applying for a nonimmigrant visa in the same classification. Previously, only those applicants whose nonimmigrant visa expired within 24 months were eligible for an interview waiver. The Secretary has temporarily extended the expiration period to 48 months. This policy is in effect until December 31, 2022. This change will allow consular officers to continue processing certain nonimmigrant visa applications while limiting the number of applicants who must appear at a consular section, thereby reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission to other applicants and consular staff. Travelers are encouraged to review the website of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for detailed information on what services are currently available as well as eligibility information and instructions on applying for a visa without an interview.

All nonimmigrant visa application fee (also known as the MRV fee) payments made on or after October 1, 2022, are valid for 365 days from the date a receipt is issued for payment of the MRV fee. Applicants must schedule an interview appointment or submit an interview waiver application during this 365-day period. Please note applicants must only schedule their interview or submit their waiver application within the 365-day period. There is no requirement the interview must occur during the 365-day period. All receipts for payment of MRV fees issued before October 1, 2022, were extended until September 30, 2023, and remain valid until this date..

As of March 13, 2020 the United States Embassy in Finland is cancelling routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. The MRV fee is valid and may be used for a visa application in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment. If you have an urgent matter and need to travel immediately, please follow the guidance provided at https://ustraveldocs.com/fi/ to request an emergency appointment.

As a result of the worldwide reciprocity review, there have been substantial changes to the reciprocity fees and visa validity periods for nationals of many countries. Finnish citizens applying for certain visa classes may be subject to new fees and validity restrictions starting November 12, 2019. These include applicants for E1, E2, some F1 and F2, H1-B, H4, I, L1, L2, R1, and R2 visa classes. For information about reciprocity fees and validity periods, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html