Current affairs

Due to the prevailing emergency conditions based on the Emergency Powers Act, the Government has decided to restrict traffic at Finland’s external borders starting on Thursday 19 March at 00.00. Finns travelling abroad are encouraged to return to Finland as soon as possible.

The Embassy of Finland in Tokyo has for the time being limited consular operations only to Finnish citizens with a pre-booked appointment. All other services, including residence permit and regular Schengen visa applications, have been suspended.

Owing to the coronavirus outbreak, Finland, in line with the rest of the Schengen countries, has suspended the reception of normal visa applications in Finland’s missions with immediate effect from 19 March until further notice.

Following the spread of CORVID-19 worldwide, and in accordance with the recommendations of Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and WHO, we regret to inform you that our upcoming exhibition, "Reality & Fantasy: The World of Tom of Finland", is postponed. The exhibition, and the accompanying programs, will take place in full at a new date this year, once the situation improves. We will keep you updated with any developments. Many thanks for your support and understanding, and of course, keep safe and healthy.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Finland’s Missions are monitoring the impacts of the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic in cooperation with the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), and they are in constant contact with key actors with regard to the situational picture and any necessary measures.

The EU is revising its Visa Code in order to facilitate visa procedures for travellers and to respond more effectively to the challenges posed by illegal migration. Finland will start applying the new Visa Code on 2 February 2020 together with other Schengen countries.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs will phase in a new visa system during February and March 2020. After its introduction, visa applications can be processed efficiently, fast and reliably.

All Finnish missions abroad and organisations issuing visas, including the Border Guard, Finnish Customs and the Police, started to use the new EU visa sticker on 11 November 2019

Aino-Kaisa Pekonen, Minister of Social Affairs and Health, will visit Japan from 16 to 19 October. During the visit, Minister Pekonen will give a keynote speech at the Well Aging Society Summit and meet with Japan’s Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Katsunobu Kato, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hideki Makihara, and Vice Minister of Health Yasuhiro Suzuki. Minister Pekonen will also learn about the situation of Japanese women and of those who have passed retirement age, and meet representatives of Finnish health sector companies.