Do Finland passport holders need a visa to visit United States?

Finnish citizens do not need a visa for short US tourist stays — Finland is a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) country. You must hold a biometric e-passport and obtain an approved ESTA online before boarding. Stays are up to 90 days. Finland is a member of the United States Visa Waiver Program (VWP), so ordinary Finnish passport holders may travel to the U.S. for tourism, visiting friends/relatives, or business for up to 90 days without a traditional visa. Travel is not entirely paperwork-free: before boarding any U.S.-bound carrier you must obtain an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), the U.S. electronic travel authorization. ESTA is applied for online, costs USD 40.27 (effective 2026), is normally approved within minutes (apply at least 72 hours ahead), and is valid for two years or until your passport expires, allowing multiple visits of up to 90 days each. You must carry a machine-readable biometric e-passport valid for the duration of your stay (the U.S. waives the strict 6-month rule for VWP nationals under a country-specific agreement that includes Finland, but a passport valid well beyond your trip is strongly advised). As of January 2026, DHS expanded ESTA vetting to include social-media handles and additional biometrics. An approved ESTA permits boarding but final admission is decided by a Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry.