The VWP (Visa Waiver Program) is managed and administered by the DHS (Department of Homeland Security). In discussion with the State Department, DHS allows residents of 41 nations to visit the United States for tourism or business for period of around 90 days without any visa under this VWP. For those who are a resident of a nation participating in the VWP, they should fulfil all the eligibility requirements to visit the United States of America.
Finnish passport holders being a part of VWP do not require a visa to enter United States for a temporary stay (up to 90 days). They require authorization via the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before starting their tour. Furthermore, the DHS suggests that ESTA visa applications must be submitted when the tourist starts making tour plans or before buying airline tickets.
Read more about: Requirements for US Tourist Visa for Citizens of Costa Rica
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
An automated system, ESTA decides the eligibility of travelers to visit the USA under the VWP (Visa Waiver Program). However, authorization through ESTA doesn’t decide whether a tourist is allowed to enter the United States. The officers of the US Customs and Border Protection decide entrance allowance upon tourists’ arrival.
Moreover, the ESTA application needs your biographic info and you have to answer all questions regarding VWP eligibility. These ESTA applications can be submitted before travel at any time, but it is highly suggested that tourists should apply for this as soon as possible.
Eligibility for Residents of Finland
As we have discussed above that Finnish residents are now qualified to apply for an ESTA (Online United States Visa Application).
- Residents of Finland should apply US ESTA minimum 72 hours prior to travelling
- They need a Debit or Credit card to do payment and a valid email
- Finnish residents can live for up to ninety days per visit
- A valid passport from a VWP (Visa Waiver Program) nation.
- Tourist’s house address and contact number.
- An emergency point of mobile phone and email.
This below-mentioned info might also be needed:
- Aliases or any other name (If Applicable).
- Personal ID or National ID number of the tourist (If Applicable).
- Global Entry/Sentri/Nexus ID number of the tourist (If Applicable).
- Address and contact number of the tourist (If Applicable).
- Tourist’s US point of contact address, name, and mobile phone (If Applicable)
How to Get a Travel Authorization to the USA via ESTA?
- Check whether your passport fulfils the Visa Waiver program requirements or not. You should have an -Passport or “e electronic passport” to participate in the program. This kind of passport has a chip.
- Fill-out the ESTA application appropriately online.
- Pay the charges. When Finnish citizens apply, they will pay its processing charges. In case they are qualified to travel to the United States, they have to pay an extra authorization fee.
Once you filled-out and submit the ESTA form online and processing charges, you will receive an application number of ESTA. Use that application number to assess the status of ESTA application. It might take around 72 hours to see if you are approved to visit the USA under the program.
Did You Know!
Every accepted ESTA application is basically valid for around two years and permits multiple entries to the country within that time period without applying again for another tour approval. Furthermore, in case your passport gets expired in less than 2 years, you will get the approval of ESTA valid till the expiration date of the passport.
Extra Travel Documents You May Need
Even if the citizens of Finland qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, they will need to come with a passport from their nation of citizenship to visit the USA. Typically, their passport should be valid for 6 months more than the date they will leave the USA unless their nation has signed a contract with the United States.
When you visit the USA, authorities at the airport will allot you a I-94W Form, an electronic record of the entrance date.
Does Only an ESTA Confirm Entrance Into the US?
Your entry into the USA is not guaranteed even if your ESTA application gets approved. The examination is an inspection of the paperwork to decide whether you are eligible for the program or not depending on particular foreign travel laws. Foreign aircraft travelers are also subject to the normal customs and immigration screening processes.
Read More
Residents of Finland are quite lucky as they are qualified for VWP or eligible for Online ESTA Visa. An ESTA is not a visa. In many ways, it varies from a visa. For example, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization allows travelers to the USA without having to apply for a non-immigrant tourist visa. Citizens can easily apply for ESTA online. Above, we have mentioned each and every detail that Finnish passport holders need to know if they are planning to travel to the United States of America.
