Page 19 - DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES IN FINLAND

Applications concerning an extension of the residence permit or the identity card shall be submitted to the Protocol Services by a verbal note. The passport, the present identity card (also expired identity cards) and a recent photograph of each person concerned should be enclosed with the note. Subject to the validity of the passport extensions are issued for one year at a time or, on request, for the remain- ing term of office.
The validity of the residence permit expires upon final departure from Finland due to the end of the posting of the staff member in Finland. This is also applicable to the family members and private servants of the staff members (please note also section 1.5).
Nationals of third countries (not nationals of the EU member states, Iceland, Liech- tenstein, Norway or Switzerland) who hold a valid residence permit issued by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and a valid travel document may on the basis of that per- mit and a valid travel document, enter the Schengen area and move freely for up to three months during a period of six months within the territory of the Schengen area.
1.5 Identity Cards
The Ministry for Foreign Affairs issues identity cards to members of missions, their accompanying family members and private servants for the staff member´s term of office in Finland. The identity card is not considered to be either an official document of identity or an official travel document in Finland. Its purpose is to certify the posi- tion and status of the person assigned to serve at a mission or as a family member.
When serving as a residence permit it indicates the right of the person concerned to reside in Finland and to enter the Schengen area (please note also section 1.4).
Please note also section 9.14 (Helsinki Region Transport).
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