Note: The Department of State has waived, through December 31, 2023, the in-person interview requirement for some first-time visa applicants. This includes visa applicants who have a petition approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q visa categories. Blanket L applications do not qualify for this new program and will require an interview.
To take advantage of this change in employment-based visa processing, you must meet all the program requirements for your visa class. If you are eligible, you may mail your application information to the Embassy for processing without an in-person interview. Please read the following instructions below carefully, applications and applicants not conforming to the below parameters will be refused or will require an interview.
1. Any required reciprocity payments must still be paid in person, you will be advised of this requirement by our staff if this pertains to your application.
2. You must have been previously issued a visa in any class at any time OR you must have traveled to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Applicants must provide proof of your prior visa or prior travel under the Visa Waiver Program with their applications. Acceptable evidence includes: I-94 travel history or evidence of U.S. entry stamps in a passport. Applicants can view their U.S. travel history at the following page: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/history-search
3. We will not be able to process your application if you have been refused a visa that was not subsequently overcome or waived, or if you have been denied an ESTA.
4. You must not have any apparent or potential ineligibility.
5. You must be physically present in Finland.
6. If you do not have a Finnish passport, you must have legal residence in Finland and provide proof of residence with your application.
7. Your current passport must be valid for at least 6 more months.
How to Apply: Please visit our Global Support Services (GSS) website for complete information on how to apply. Follow the instructions on the GSS website to Apply for a Visa. Your answers to the application questions will help you determine if you qualify for this program or if you require an interview.
Please Note: The Embassy will not accept applications dropped off in person. You must mail your application with a prepaid return envelope in order for your application to be considered complete
If your visa requires additional fee payments or if you need to submit fingerprints with your application, the processing time for your visa issuance will increase.