New passports came into use in August

Finland got a new passport law and new passports came into use 21 August 2006.

In line with a European Union decision, the identifiers would be an image of the face stored on a microchip, and fingerprints. Face scans have been adopted during the first phase; fingerprints would be included in passports later. The new passports came into use 21 August 2006. Passports of the earlier type would still be acceptable until their expiry date.

In consequence of the passport reform, among other things, the longest validity period for passports is shortened to five years, and children are no longer to be marked on the passport of a parent. Contrary to a passport received on application within Finland, the price of a passport received on application from a Finnish foreign mission abroad has not increased; instead, in accordance with the Decree on Fees for Services Produced by the Foreign Service, the price has remained at 80 euros.

The passport photo criteria are very strict

Before obtaining your passport photos please consult the following websites for more information poliisi.fi(Link to another website.)


Processing of passport applications to cease at Honorary Consulates

Owing to the introduction of biometric identifiers, the processing of passport applications has changed so that such applications can in future be left only at an office with the right to grant passports. The current practice of submitting a passport application completed under a notary public’s supervision or at an Honorary Consulate is not possible under the new law.

The new passport system will shorten the processing period for passport applications submitted abroad. In future, too, it will be possible to fetch a completed passport at an Honorary Consulate.

The new passport system requires that all the applicant´s personal data in the Finnish population registration system are up-to-date.
For more information please visit the pages www.maistraatti.fi.


Regulations in the USA to change in October

A law was passed in the USA in May 2002 with a view to furthering border and visa security. This law places technical requirements, for instance, with regard to entry documents, on states participating in the visa-free programme.

As of 26 October 2006, the USA will require that the passport of a person entering the country meets the international biometric standard. This requirement applies only to passports granted after the set time limit. If a passport granted after this date does not comply with the international biometric standard, a visa will be necessary to travel to the USA.

Passports granted before the set time limit entitle the bearer to travel to the USA without a visa until their expiry date, unless a visa is needed because of the duration or purpose of the stay. Passports must, however, be machine legible.