Guideline for Obtaining a U.S. Visa for Estonian and Finnish Residents
US Visa Application Process for Estonian and Finnish Citizens
Traveling to the United States from Estonia or Finland requires a US visa, unless you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This program allows citizens from eligible countries, including Estonia and Finland, to travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, but they must obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before travel.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) – Estonia & Finland
If traveling under the VWP, here's what you need to know:
- Eligibility criteria: To be eligible, you must be a citizen of a VWP country, hold a valid biometric passport, and your travel purpose must be tourism or business. You should also have no previous visa refusals or immigration violations, and your stay must be 90 days or less.
- Specific steps: Apply online for ESTA at least 72 hours before travel, pay the ESTA fee ($21 total), travel only on an approved carrier, and hold a valid return or onward ticket dated within 90 days.
- Required documents: You'll need a valid biometric passport (individual passports for each traveler, including children), ESTA approval confirmation, and a return/onward ticket.
Nonimmigrant Visa (e.g., B-1/B-2, E-2)
For non-VWP travel purposes or longer stays (e.g., work, study, investment), citizens of Estonia and Finland can apply for a nonimmigrant visa. The procedure generally involves:
- Eligibility criteria: Your purpose of entry should align with the visa type (e.g., tourist (B-1/B-2), work, study, or investment visas such as E-2). You should also meet visa-specific criteria (e.g., treaty investor status for E-2 visa).
- Specific steps: Complete the online DS-160 form for nonimmigrant visa applicants, pay the visa application fee ($185 for B-1/B-2; $315 for E category including treaty investors), schedule and attend a visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate, provide biometric data (fingerprints and photo) during the application process, and present required supporting documents.
- Required documents typically include: A valid passport (should generally be valid for six months beyond intended stay, though exceptions apply for VWP countries), confirmation page of DS-160, visa application fee payment receipt, and supporting documents depending on visa type (e.g., proof of ties to home country, itinerary, financial means for tourist/business visas, or proof of citizenship in treaty country, substantial investment documentation, business plan, proof of funds, employment letters if applicable for work or investor visas).
- Special cases: Applicants aged 80+ may qualify for an interview waiver for B-1/B-2 visas under certain conditions.
In summary, Estonian and Finnish citizens can generally enter the US visa-free for stay up to 90 days with ESTA but must obtain a visa if their travel purpose or length does not fit the VWP criteria. For long-term work, investment, or study, a nonimmigrant visa is necessary, following the standard application steps and document requirements.
If you need specific guidance on a particular visa type (e.g., tourist/business, student, work, investor), I can provide more detailed steps and document lists.
- If a trip from Estonia or Finland is for purposes beyond tourism or business and lasts more than 90 days, a nonimmigrant visa (such as B-1/B-2 or E-2) will be required.
- A lifestyle change or extended stay in the United States, for work, study, or investment, necessitates applying for a nonimmigrant visa, which includes submitting the required documents and attending a visa interview.
