Licences > Identity cards > Issuing an identity card to a foreign citizen
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Issuing an identity card to a foreign citizen



Under the Municipality of Residence Act, the police may issue an identity card to a foreign citizen who is permanently resident in Finland and entered in the Population Information System and who can be reliably identified. An identity card issued to a foreign citizen may not be used as a travel document.

An application for an identity card must always be submitted to the police in person.

Applicants for an identity card must bring:

  • 1 photograph (preferably black-and-white) (no more than six months old)
  • a reliable proof of identity (for example a passport or an identity card of an EU citizen that confers a right to travel)
  • if the applicant is under 18, his or her guardians' consent (excluding the so-called identity card for a minor).
    The guardian's consent form

Please note that the personal data you give when applying for an identity card must be the same as the data recorded in the Population Information System maintained by the Register Offices.

For more information about the Population Information System, visit Population Register Centre.

The appearance of identity cards issued by the police has changed as from 30 May 2011. The new identity card for a citizen is bluish in colour, the identity card for a minor is purple and the identity card for a foreigner is brown. The nationality indication in an identity card for a foreigner always is XXX.

Identity cards issued before this date will remain valid until their expiry.

(A sample photo of an identity card for a foreigner is temporarily not available. It will be added later.)





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