Current affairs

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to influence the entry permit services of the Finnish diplomatic missions abroad. All missions are not able to provide these services in the same way and to the same extent as in normal circumstances before the pandemic. The missions have been able to serve customers in questions related to entry matters in the countries where this has been possible taking into account health security and local official regulations. In this fall, the missions have been reopening their services as far as possible, and currently entry services are provided in most countries at least to a limited extent.

The embassy provides services for legalization and residence permits on a limited basis. An appointment for all transactions at the mission is mandatory. Appointment requests on 15th of every month at 8.00 am Nepal time onwards by email only [email protected]

According to the Government decision made in September, restrictions on entry may be lifted for traffic between Finland and those EU and Schengen countries and the counties on the green list specified by the Council of the EU where the incidence of COVID-19 has not exceeded 25 new cases per 100,000 persons in the previous 14 days. The Government assesses the situation in different countries once a week. This news article will be updated with changes to the guidance and restrictions.

In the Far West regions of Nepal, food security has improved significantly through the Rural Village Water Resources Management Project, supported by Finland and the EU. Irrigation systems and innovative farming methods have contributed to diversified food production and higher crop yields. The municipalities covered by the project are located in the most remote, driest and poorest regions in Nepal.

“Girls’ and boys’ equal access to education has fundamental impacts on developments in societies and on individuals’ opportunities to advance in life,” says Kati Bhose, Special Adviser on Development Policy at Finland’s Embassy in Nepal. Three questions about development cooperation is a series of interviews with specialists in the Foreign Service

The embassy will open some of its services on a limited basis from October 2020. An appointment for all transactions at the mission is mandatory. Appointment requests by email only [email protected]

On 11 September, the Government adopted a decision on restrictions on border traffic, which will enter into force on 19 September. Restrictions on entry will be lifted for traffic between Finland and Cyprus, Germany, Iceland, Norway, Poland and Sweden, as well as for residents of Australia, Canada and Japan who are travelling from their home country to Finland. Restrictions on entry into the country will be reintroduced between Finland and Hungary and Italy.

We have put together frequently asked questions with answers about travel and coronavirus.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has issued a Decree on Fees for Services Produced by the Foreign Service for 2020–2022. The new decree will replace the former Decree of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs on Fees for Services Produced by the Foreign Service (377/2014). The new decree will enter into force on 1 September 2020 and will be valid until 31 December 2022.

In its informal meeting on 18 August, the Government outlined changes to border traffic restrictions and travel recommendations. Restrictions on internal and external border traffic will be reinstated based on an epidemiological assessment. Internal border control will be reinstated for traffic between Finland and Iceland, Greece, Malta, Germany, Norway and Denmark. Restrictions on external border traffic will be reinstated for traffic into Finland from Ireland, Cyprus and San Marino, as well as to Japanese residents in traffic arriving in Finland from Japan.