U.S. Embassy in Finland

Notice

Update on Change to U.S. Travel Policy Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Non-Immigrant Travel:

Starting May 12, 2023, non-citizen non-immigrant air passengers will no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States. CDC’s Amended Order Implementing Presidential Proclamation on Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic will no longer be in effect when the Presidential Proclamation Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic is revoked.

Please see: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/05/01/the-biden-administration-will-end-covid-19-vaccination-requirements-for-federal-employees-contractors-international-travelers-head-start-educators-and-cms-certified-facilities/

Non-Immigrant Visa Services

Please check ustraveldocs.com for scheduling or rescheduling interview appointments.

Expanded Interview Waiver

The interview waiver for Students (F and M visas) and Exchange Visitors (Academic J visas) has been extended until December 31, 2023. Interview waiver may now also apply for first-time applicants for petition-based employment visas including H-1, H-3, H-4, L (individual petitions only, blanket L petitions do not qualify), O, P, and Q visas. Petition-based visa applicants must have been previously issued a visa in any class or they must have traveled to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Please find more information on the expanded interview waiver guidelines here and visit ustraveldocs.com to see if you qualify for interview waiver.

Mail-in Renewals and Interview Waiver Processing Times

If you were issued a visa in the same class in which you are applying and your previous visa expired within 48 months, you may be eligible to renew your visa by mail. Our current estimated processing time for mail-in renewals and interview waiver applications is 1-2 weeks. Please do not contact us to check up on your case until after 1-2 weeks have passed or you may further delay processing time. Applicants are also responsible for the type of postage or tracking service they choose to use for their return envelopes, which may affect delivery time.

Visa Application Fee

We will extend the validity of your payment (known as the MRV fee) until September 30, 2023 to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment as a result of the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule and/or attend a visa appointment with the already paid fee.

If You Reside Outside of Finland

Please check ustraveldocs.com for scheduling or rescheduling interview appointments.

Reasonable Accommodation

If you need reasonable accommodation for your appointment, we encourage you to request your accommodation immediately once you schedule your appointment. We make every effort to provide accommodations to persons with disabilities and medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations vary, depending on the situation and the person’s needs.
Examples of accommodations include, but are not limited to:

• • If you require a private appointment due to a medical condition or disability, we may schedule an alternative time for you to come in for your interview.
  • If you or your child has special needs that requires a private appointment in a quiet space without distractions, we may schedule an alternative time for you or your family to come in for your interview.
  • If you are unable to speak, you may be allowed to respond to questions in an agreed-upon nonverbal manner such as using pen and paper.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may bring a sign language interpreter to translate during the interview if needed.
  • If you have low vision, we may provide you with communications in large print.

If you are unable to provide fingerprints because of a medical condition, including birth defects, physical deformities, skin conditions, you may qualify for a fingerprint waiver for certain fingers.

• Interview waivers are only granted in extreme situations, such as having a medical condition that requires flying in an air ambulance.

The waiting room of the Consular Section and its restroom is wheelchair-accessible.