New Finnish passports issued after August 21 will have biometric identifiers.

Finland will introduce the new biometric passport system on August 21. Passports issued before the introduction of this new system will remain valid until their expiration date.

As of August 21, 2006, when applying for a passport, each applicant including children must apply in person at the Embassy of Finland in Tallinn. The Honorary Consuls cannot accept biometric passport applications. You can also apply for the new passport at a local police office while visiting Finland.

Before applying for the new biometric passport at the embassy or consulate, check your personal information at the Finnish Population Register Centre. It is of utmost importance that the applicant's personal data (name, place of birth, citizenship) in the Population Information System are up-to-date since the application form for the new biometric passport will be printed directly from the register. Prior to submitting your application, kindly verify your personal data at the local register office of the municipality of your most recent residence or at the nearest Finnish Embassy or Consulate in your current country of residence. Check the contact information of your local register office at www.maistraatti.fi

The data page of the new biometric passport will contain a microchip storing a digital facial image, as well as personal and passport data. Photos attached to passport applications must meet the mandatory requirements set for biometric passports. Check the new guidelines at the Web site: www.police.fi.

The new biometric passports are normally issued for a maximum of five years. The average processing time for passport applications will be shortened and the fee for passports issued abroad will remain at EUR 80. Children may no longer be included in the passport of a parent.

Finnish passports of the current type will remain valid until their expiration date. Citizens will not need to exchange their valid passports for new biometric ones.

Biometrics in passports is a joint project of the European Union member states, which will help fight passport fraud and forgery.

Further information about Finnish passports and photo requirements:

Finnish Police(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Foreign nationals arriving in Finland(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Passport photo guidelines(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)

Population Information System(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)