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Application Requirements

Interview Checklist

All applicants are required to present the following documents at their interview:

Other required documentation for Non-Finnish Citizens

  • DS-157 (all applicants over 14)
  • DS-158 (all applicants over 14)
  • 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)

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)

  • Completed DS-158 Contact Information and Work History for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicant
  • Original form I-20
  • Proof of personal funds as listed on I-20
  • 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

Exchange Visitors and Dependents (J-1, J-2)

  • Completed DS-158 Contact Information and Work History for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicant
  • Original form DS-2019
  • Proof of personal funds as listed on DS-2019
  • 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

Au Pair (J-1)

  • Completed DS-158 Contact Information and Work History for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicant
  • Original form DS-2019
  • Proof of personal funds as listed on DS-2019
  • Receipt for SEVIS fee

Au Pair (B-1)

Work Visas (H, L-1, O-1, P-1)

  • Original Form I-797
  • 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 in cash for fraud prevention and detection
  • 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)

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

 

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE YOUR INTERVIEW

Visa Wait Times

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.