Entering country as citizen, but only have US passport

bntp02 · Post by **bntp02** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:17 pm

Just wondering, if I enter the country with obviously no intentions of leaving, and all I have is my American passport, will it be enough for me to just have my social number handy? I haven't gotten around to getting my Finnish passport, and wonder if I would be better off doing so better moving to Finland. Just wondering when they ask me what my intentions are, and I say "Staying Permanently", will they hesitate to stamp my passport?

**Sponsor:**

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:40 pm

Well, they'll get confused beyond belief, thats for sure. Getting the passport saves hassle. Though as you won't need a visa for 90 days visit, you could just be tourist. Then again travelling with a Finnish passport - if you don't speak any Finnish... lets say don't count on quick transfers on certain airports, I've been done a few "spycatcher" questions.

bntp02 · Post by **bntp02** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 11:32 pm

Hank W. wrote:Well, they'll get confused beyond belief, thats for sure.

Thanks Hank, that confirms I need to get my passport. I don't want to be sitting at the airport for several hours with my family in tow. I speak Finnish fairly well, but don't get technical with me, then you'll hear me say "I'm sorry, can you say that in English". That's what happens when you parents bring you up in the States, yet expect you to learn the language. Oh lets not forget, they never bothered to teach me to read or write.

At least it's a phontic language!

Nallis · Post by **Nallis** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 1:58 am

A friend of mine who has both finnish and american passports tossed his finnish passport in the rubbish bin (by accident). He was going back to Finland that week, so he got himself a letter from the embassy stating that he is a finnish citizen but has lost his passport and therefore would enter the country with his american passport. He then showed the letter to the officials in Finland and it was accepted as proof. Ofcourse, this was a matter of urgency so it might be that they wouldn't write this kind of a letter to you.

Karibu · Post by **Karibu** » Tue Dec 05, 2006 8:24 am

Hehe, at least you shouldn't say that you threw it into trash bin.

sy · Post by sy » Tue Dec 05, 2006 11:01 am

Passilaki says in Section 1, Paragraph 2:

Suomen kansalaista ei saa estää saapumasta maahan.

mrshourula · Post by **mrshourula** » Wed Dec 06, 2006 9:57 am

Depending on where you live in the US, it might be easier to get a Finnish passport in Finland.

http://www.finland.org/doc/en/consular/passport.html

New Finnish passports have biometric identifiers

Finland has introduced the new biometric passport system on August 21. Passports issued before the introduction of the new system will remain valid until their expiration date. Citizens do not need to exchange their valid passports for new biometric ones.

As of August 21, 2006, when applying for a passport in the United States, each applicant including children must apply in person at the Embassy of Finland in Washington, D.C. or at the Consulates General of Finland in New York or Los Angeles. Processing of passport applications have ceased at Honorary Consulates. You can also apply for the new passport at a local police office while visiting Finland.

In consequence of the passport reform, among other things, the longest validity period for biometric passports is five years. Children can no longer be included on the passport of a parent.

The introduction of biometric passports is included as one requirement to maintain the visa waiver program with United States. As of 26 October 2006, the USA will require that the passport of a person entering the country meets the international biometric standard. This requirement applies only to passports granted after the set time limit. If a passport granted after this date does not comply with the international biometric standard, a visa will be necessary to travel to the USA. Passports must also be machine legible.

bntp02 · Post by **bntp02** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 12:22 am

Hmm, that's very interesting. Thank you!

Meri-Tuuli · Post by **Meri-Tuuli** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 7:30 pm

Hank W. wrote: if you don't speak any Finnish... lets say don't count on quick transfers on certain airports, I've been done a few "spycatcher" questions.

Well I travel around on my Finnish passport and I can't speak much Finnish and the immigration officials just laugh at me when they see my passport and hear my poor Finnish and automatically switch to English and thats it. I've had no problems whatsoever. Although I only travel from/to the UK/Finland, and its all EU anyway.

And anyway, isn't your SS number kinda magic? I've had people just plug it into some computer and brought up all kinds of details about me.

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 7:32 pm

Try switching over in Denmark or Germany

bntp02 · Post by **bntp02** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 10:00 pm

Well, I called the embassy in DC, and the lovely lady there told me not to worry about the passport. Just to get it while I'm in Finland. She also said that when we register with the police, then my hubby can apply for his residency permit (might take longer than appling for one before hand).
So that settles that!

Meri-Tuuli · Post by **Meri-Tuuli** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 11:41 pm

Yeah, Hank, when I flew here I switched over in Denmark (CPN) and no-one batted an eyelid! I went heathrow-cpn-turku with SAS and I didn't get anything! Not a peep!

Perhaps it helps being a young, travelling on her own, lady?????

Who knows?

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