Travel documents to the USA, UK, Canada and Australia

Citizens of the USA must have a valid US passport or other valid travel document that allows entry to the USA.

Visitors travelling to or via the USA must have a valid passport as well as one of the following:

• a valid visa or
• authorization to travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) via the U.S. Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) or
• a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) or
• other valid permit that allows entry to the USA

Please note that in order to transit via the USA, you must have sufficient travel documentation to enter the USA as described above.

You may travel to or via the USA without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, if you are a citizen of a VWP eligible country and you fulfil the below requirements:

• The duration of your stay is 90 days, or less
• You have a confirmed return ticket or a ticket for a connecting international flight
• You have sufficient funds to cover your entire stay
• You will arrive in the USA on an airline participating in the VWP, such as Finnair
• You have a valid biometric passport, which contains a microchip

Citizens of the following countries are eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program:

Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan (China) and the United Kingdom.

Read more about Visa Waiver Program

ESTA is an automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States. ESTA travel authorization is mandatory for visitors travelling to the USA under the Visa Waiver program. Children, regardless of age, are required to obtain an independent ESTA authorization. Canadian citizens are exempt from the ESTA.

• The Customs and Border Protection unit of the United States charges a fee of 21 USD for each approved travel authorization – you can pay this online with a credit or debit card.
• You must fill the ESTA authorization form at least 72 hours before the departure. If you submit your application less than 72 hours in advance, it might not be processed in time for your flight.
• Your approved travel authorization is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
• If your application is denied and you wish to continue with your trip, you will have to apply for a non-immigrant visa at a US embassy or consulate.

The Secure Flight Program requires airlines to collect specific information on all passengers travelling to/from or via the USA. 

When making your booking, you must provide the following information:

• Full name as it appears on your passport – please note:
  • If your name includes special characters or accents, use the characters from the machine-readable zone (MRZ) at the bottom of the photo page.  
  • If the name in your Finnair Plus profile differs from the one in the passport, make sure to use the name in your passport.
• Gender
• Date of birth

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection unit (CBP) requires that airlines collect Advance Passenger Information (API) from passengers travelling to, from or via the USA. 

API typically includes:

• Passport information
• Full name as it appears on your passport – please note:
  • If your name includes special characters or accents, use the characters from the machine-readable zone (MRZ) at the bottom of the photo page.  
  • If the name in your Finnair Plus profile differs from the one in the passport, make sure to use the name in your passport.
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Nationality
• Country of residence
• Visa information (if applicable)
• The address of your first night’s stay

You can provide basic details, such as passport information, through Manage booking before check-in. Any additional required details will be requested during online check-in.

Privacy notice: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires that you provide your full name, date of birth and gender for the purpose of watch list screening, under the authority of 49 U.S.C. section 114, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 and 49 C.F.R parts 1540 and 1560.

You may also provide your Redress Number, if available. Failure to provide your full name, date of birth and gender may result in denial of transport or denial of authority to enter the boarding area. The TSA may share information you provide with law enforcement or intelligence agencies under its published system of records notice.

For more on TSA privacy policies, or to review the system of records notice and the privacy impact assessment, please see the TSA website.

In addition to receiving Advance Passenger Information (API), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)  has a statutory right to receive certain information regarding reservations made on Finnair flights to, from and via the USA. Passengers are informed of this at the time they make their reservations. 

The US-VISIT Program aims at improving the safety and security of visitors to the United States, as well as U.S. citizens. Certain data will be collected from each visitor to the US on arrival and again on departure.

On arrival in the USA, the immigration officer will also collect unique data from each visitor in the form of fingerprints and a digital photograph.

All data obtained from visitors is stored securely and is made available only to authorised officials and selected law enforcement agencies on a need to know basis in their efforts to protect the USA.

Further information about the US-VISIT program

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required for all visa-free nationals travelling to/via Canada unless they hold a visa or a residence permit (U.S. citizens are exempt from the eTA). 

• The eTA may be applied online for a cost of 7 CAD (approximately 5 EUR) 
• It is recommended to submit the eTA application at least 72 hours prior to travel 

Officers of the Canada Border Services Agency recommend that parents who share custody of their children carry copies of their legal custody documents, such as custody rights. 

If you share custody and the other parent is not travelling with you, or if you are travelling with minors for whom you are not the parent or legal guardian, we recommend you to carry a consent letter to provide authorization for you to take them on a trip and enter Canada.