Frequently asked questions
You can find the answers to below frequently asked questions:
Finnish passport and identity card
I live far away from the Embassy. Can I renew my passport online? Is it mandatory to visit the Embassy?
It is mandatory to visit the Embassy.
According to section 6 of the Passport Act, The application must be submitted at the embassy in person.
You can apply for a passport via the online service of the Finnish Police from abroad under certain conditions.
More information:
What is the processing time for the passport renewal?
The processing time of an ordinary passport is approximately two weeks and a fast track passport is delivered to the Embassy within 5-8 working days.
How can I book an appointment time for passport renewal?
Passport and identity card application at the Embassy of Finland in Abu Dhabi requires a prior appointment time. You can request for appointment time by sending an e-mail to [email protected].
Which documents I need to have for the passport renewal?
For the passport renewal, you need to have:
- One less than six month old passport size picture on photopaper.
- Valid passport/identity card
- Payment receipt, if the passport fee has been paid in advance to the Embassy account.
The Embassy is unable to use pictures that are downloaded to the Police online system.
More information:
Applying for a passport or identity card
Finnish police: passport photograph instructions (PDF) 450kB(Link to another website.)
Notarial services
I have moved to the United Arab Emirates, and the local authority is asking me to legalize a certificate that is issued by Finnish authorities. Can the Embassy legalize my certificate?
Certificates issued in Finland and intended to be used in the UAE should be legalized first by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and after that by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of UAE.
Further instructions for legalization can be found on the Ministry for Foreign Affairs website.
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland: Legalisation of documents for use abroad(Link to another website.)
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of UAE: Attestation(Link to another website.)
The local authority is requesting an Equivalency certificate on my school certificate. Can I get it from the Embassy?
You will find instructions for the Equivalency certificate from the Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates(Link to another website.) website.
In questions concerning the Equivalency process, you can contact the Ministry of Education of the UAE, your university in Finland, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of UAE(Link to another website.).
My child was born in the UAE. How do I notify the birth to the Population Information System and apply for a child's passport?
More information: Registration of a child born in the United Arab Emirates
The child is granted a social security number when the registration in the Population Information System is completed. A passport may be applied after the child has been granted a social security number. The Embassy serves in passport and legalization matters with a prior appointment time. Appointments by e-mail: [email protected].
More information: Passport application for a child
Travelling to the United Arab Emirates
I have a temporary Finnish passport. Can I travel with a temporary passport to the UAE?
The matter should be reviewed UAE authorities as they are the competent authority for the entry matters of the United Arab Emirates. In general, it can be noted that, for example, a temporary passport issued by Finland (pink decks) is not accepted for entry into the United Arab Emirates, which means that there are some restrictions. Also, the passport must always be valid at least six months after the journey.
Contact details to competent UAE authorities on matters related entry to the UAE:
- General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), puh 800 5111 ja UAE:n ulkopuolelta +971 323 9999, sähköposti: [email protected]
- Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), puh (+971) 2312 8867, (+971) 2312 8865, (+971) 2083 344, sähköposti: [email protected]
I am traveling to the UAE on vacation and I prescript medicines. Can I bring the medicine with me?
The health authorities of the United Arab Emirates restrict prescription drugs and medicines imported by travellers.
For more information on the import of medicines:
Government portal of the United Arab Emirates: Drugs and controlled medicines(Link to another website.)
Ministry of Health of the United Arab Emirates: Issue of permit to import medicine for personal use(Link to another website.)
It is always advisable to keep the prescriptions with you. You can also print your prescriptions on the e-service at www.kanta.fi(Link to another website.).
I am coming for a vacation to the United Arab Emirates. Do I need a visa?
When traveling or moving abroad, check in good time the country of destination's entry regulations and the necessary travel documents from the authorities of that country. The Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs cannot issue instructions on matters related to the entry of other countries.
Contact details to competent UAE authorities on matters related entry to the UAE:
- General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), puh 800 5111 ja UAE:n ulkopuolelta +971 323 9999, sähköposti: [email protected]
- Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), puh (+971) 2312 8867, (+971) 2312 8865, (+971) 2083 344, sähköposti: [email protected]
Others
I just moved to the United Arab Emirates. Where should I inform about my new address?
If you are a Finnish citizen and live abroad, you must notify the Digital and Population Data Services Agency of the change in your address.
More information: Change of address
We urge anyone travelling abroad to submit a travel notification on matkustusilmoitus.fi to enable the Ministry for Foreign Affairs to know your whereabouts and contact you. In crisis situation, information is sent via the matkustusilmoitus.fi(Link to another website.) system. Remember to also follow the Embassy website and our social media channels (Facebook(Link to another website.) and Twitter(Link to another website.))
I want to get married in Dubai. How can I do that?
The Digital and Population Data Services Agency (DVV) issues Examination of impediments to marriage certificate. This ensures that there are no impediments to marriage referred to in the Finnish Marriage Act.
More information:
Digital and Population Data Services Agency: Examination of impediments to marriage(Link to another website.)
Certificates issued in Finland and intended to be used in the UAE should be legalised first by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and after that by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of UAE.
Further instructions for legalisation can be found on the Ministry for Foreign Affairs website.
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland: Legalisation of documents for use abroad(Link to another website.)
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of UAE: Attestation(Link to another website.)
How do I get a criminal record from the authorities of the UAE?
A criminal record can be ordered from the website of the Ministry of the Interior of the UAE.
Ministry of the Interior of the Arab Emirates:
Ministry of Interior of the UAE: Issuance of criminal record(Link to another website.)
How do I get criminal record from the Finnish authorities?
A criminal record can be order from the website of the Legal Register Centre(Link to another website.)
I have a Finnish driving license. Can I drive a car in the UAE with Finnish driving license?
Information regarding driving licenses can be found from the UAE authorities’ website.
Governmental portal of UAE: Get a driving licence(Link to another website.)
Abu Dhabi Police(Link to another website.)
Road and Transportation Authority (RTA): Licensing(Link to another website.)