Travel documents to the USA, UK, Canada and Australia | Finnair Japan
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Travel documents to the USA, UK, Canada and Australia

You can verify your travel documents digitally during online check-in for routes that require documet verification.

The United States of America

Travel document requirements

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.

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

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


The U.S. Department of State has designated Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism (SST) as of 12 January 2021. Due to this, any travellers who have visited Cuba on or after 12 January 2021 are not eligible for travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) using an ESTA. This also applies to people holding dual nationality with a VWP country and Cuba. 

A previously approved ESTA will also be revoked if it’s later determined that the traveller has been present in Cuba or holds dual nationality.  

If you are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA, you will need a visa to travel to the United States. You can apply for the visa at any U.S. embassy or consulate. 

Find out more

ESTA Travel Authorization

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.
Apply for an ESTA(Opens in a new tab)

Secure Flight Program

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

Advance Passenger Information (API)

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.

Manage booking

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.


Statutory right to advance information

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

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

The United Kingdom

Electronic Travel Authorisation for the United Kingdom (ETA)

If you are travelling to the United Kingdom (UK), and you are not a visa national, you need to go online and apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in good time before your journey. 

You will not need an ETA in the following situations:

  • You hold a valid visa or residence permit issued by the UK
  • You are transiting via the UK to a third country (except Ireland) and remain in the international transit area (airside)
  • You are a national of the Great Britain or Ireland

A few more exceptions apply and can be found here: Who does not need an ETA 

A complete list of countries, whose nationals need an ETA, can be found here: Nationals that need an ETA

  • Please note that from 2 April 2025 onwards, nationals of all Schengen and EU countries, including Finland, will need an ETA to travel to the UK.

You can find more information on the UK ETA and a link to apply for an ETA at:  Apply for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) - GOV.UK

United Kingdom visas and resident permits become digital

The United Kingdom is changing all residence permits, resident cards and physical (sticker) visas to digital format. If you hold a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or a Biometric Residence Card (BRC), you need to create a UKVI account to change the physical document to a digital one. For more information, please visit Online immigration status (eVisa) - GOV.UK.

How will airlines receive information on my immigration status?

When you travel to the UK, the airline receives information on your immigration status directly in its Departure Control System when it sends your passport data to the UK Border Force through an interactive Advance Passenger Information link.

Please note that most airlines, including Finnair, cannot check your immigration status separately from the internet. Therefore showing the airline agent your Share Code will not work. For this reason, your digital eVisa or residence permit needs to be in order on your UKVI account. 

If your digital eVisa, residence permit or residence card has been issued to your old passport and you obtain a new passport, you need to access your UKVI account and update the new passport there. Otherwise, the airline will not receive clearance to accept you on its flight.

Can I still travel on a physical visa or residence permit?

Sticker visas, physical biometric residence permits and physical biometric residence cards can be accepted as proof of your immigration status if they are still valid. BRPs and BRCs that have expired on or after 31 December 2024 can still be accepted until 1 June 2025. Visas and residence permits or cards that have expired before 31 December 2024 have not been granted any extension, so you need to contact the UK authorities to obtain a new visa or permit.

Can I travel to the UK with an ID card?

As the UK is not an EU Member State, you cannot travel to the UK with an EU ID card; you need a valid passport. In most cases, an Electronic Travel Authorisation, ETA, is also needed.

There are a few exceptions that allow you to use a national identity card from an EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland to enter the UK. These exceptions can be found here: Entering the UK: Before you leave for the UK - GOV.UK. When your ID card is scanned at the time of check-in or boarding, the airline will receive information on your immigration status in its departure control system through an interactive connection with the UK Border Force. Please ensure that you have included your ID card information in your UKVI account; otherwise, the airline will not get permission to board you on your flight to the UK. 

Canada

Travel document requirements

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. 

 Consent letter

Statutory right to advance information

The Canada Border Services Agency has a statutory right to receive certain information on passengers who have reservations on Finnair flights to, from and via Canada. Passengers are informed of this at the time they make their reservations.

Australia

Travel document requirements

  • With the exception of nationals of Australia and New Zealand, nationals of all other countries must have an electronic visa, a residence permit or an Electronic Travel Authorisation to visit Australia.
  • Nationals of some countries are allowed to transit via Australia to a third country without an e-visa/electronic authorisation, provided the departure of the connecting international flight is within 8 hours of arrival and the person remains within the international transit area of the airport.
  • The e-visa or eTA needs to be obtained in good time prior to the travel. Airlines check the status of a passenger’s e-visa/eTA via their departure control systems, before accepting a passenger to travel on a route to Australia. 
  • The Australian Visa Finder is a website where visitors can find out which type of electronic permit or visa they need when travelling to Australia. Through the same site it is also possible to apply for an applicable permit/visa.

Related frequently asked questions

What is Advance Passenger Information (API) and how do I provide it? How do I provide the Advance Passenger Information (API) required when travelling to, from or via the United States? To which countries do I need a passport and for how long does it need to be valid? Do I need a visa? What is ESTA and how can I apply for it? What extra information do I have to give when travelling to the US?
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