Non-Immigrant Visas: Application Requirements
Interview Checklist
All applicants are required to present the following documents at their interview:
- Valid passport
- Receipt for MRV fee [the receipt must state the visa applicant's name (message field - viestikenttä) and the archive ID number (arkistointitunnus)].
- Registered postage paid return envelope
- DS 160 confirmation page
Other required documentation for Non-Finnish Residents of Finland
- Extract from the Population Information System in Finland (virkatodistus in Finnish), including all family members from the local register office (Maistraatti in Finnish) as proof of residency in Finland. The Extract must have been issued within the past three months.
Additional documentation by visa type
Business (B-1)
- Employer’s letter of support
- Contract of Employment
- Invitation letter (from U.S. company/conference/etc)
- Proof of Finances (e.g. last three months bank statements and salary slips)
Tourist (B-2)
- Proof of Finances (e.g. last three months bank statements and salary slips)
- Contract of employment
- Travel plans in US
- Invitation letters (from family or friends you are planning to visit)
- Proof of medical insurance that covers the entire stay in the US may be required for longer stays
Crew Member (C-1/D)
- Guarantee letter (seamen)
- Letter from employer and copy of work identification card (air carrier employees)
Full-time Student and Dependents (F-1, F-2; M-1, M-2)
- Original form I-20
- Proof of personal funds as listed on I-20
- For residents of Finland: Extract from the Population Information System in Finland (virkatodistus in Finnish) from the local register office (Maistraatti in Finnish) for dependent spouse and/or children if traveling to the US. The Extract must have been issued within the past three months.
- Receipt for SEVIS fee
- Proof of medical insurance that covers the entire stay in the US
Exchange Visitors and Dependents (J-1, J-2)
- Original form DS-2019
- Proof of personal funds as listed on DS-2019
- For Residents of Finland: Extract from the Population Information System in Finland (virkatodistus in Finnish) from the local register office (Maistraatti in Finnish) for dependent spouse and/or children if traveling to the US. The Extract must have been issued within the past three months.
- Receipt for SEVIS fee
- Training and internship J-1 applicants must present form DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan at their visa interviews in addition to the required form DS-2019
- Proof of medical insurance that covers the entire stay in the US
Au Pair (J-1)
- Original form DS-2019
- Proof of personal funds as listed on DS-2019
- Receipt for SEVIS fee
Au Pair (B-1)
- Evidence from employer of previous au pair(s) experience
- A work contract signed by both parties
Work Visas (H, L-1, O-1, P-1)
- Original Form I-797
- For Residents of Finland: Extract from the Population Information System in Finland (virkatodistus in Finnish) from the local register office (Maistraatti in Finnish) for dependent spouse and/or children if traveling to the US. The Extract must have been issued within the past three months.
OR
- Blanket L-1 applicants: 3 Copies of Blanket L Petition
- Blanket L-1 applicants: $500 for fraud prevention and detection in cash, Euro or Dollars or with major credit cards
- For Residents of Finland: Extract from the Population Information System in Finland (virkatodistus in Finnish) from the local register office (Maistraatti in Finnish) for dependent spouse and/or children if traveling to the US. The Extract must have been issued within the past three months.
Foreign Media (I)
- Employment letter
- Copy of press card
- Signed contract of employment (freelance journalists)
- Samples of most recent publications
Religious Worker (R-1)
- Credentials of a religious occupation or vocation
- Letter of invitation from US sponsor organization
- Proof of the tax-exempt status of the organization
Please ignore the references to DS-156 and only use the link "Schedule appointment." This site will be updated to reflect the DS 160 later on.
Visa Wait Times
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The average wait time for a visa interview at the US Consulate in Helsinki can be found on the Department of State’s Travel Web Page.
If you have an urgent need to travel to the US (e.g. business emergency, school start dates), please explain your situation in an email to: HelsinkiNIV@state.gov.