Temporary residence for Estonia | TR for Estonia (TR EU, TR Non-EU)

For Non-European Union citizens.

A temporary residence permit of Estonia may be issued to aliens:

• Who is married to a person who has permanent residence of Estonia,
• For settling down or to permanently reside in Estonia with a close relative.
• For work.
• For students enrolled with an educational institute in Estonia.
• for business.
• Individual who can contribute in public interest.

We have given general below are two types of residence permits for Estonia:

• Residence permit for employment in Estonia,
• Residence permit for business in Estonia.

Estonian residence permit for employment

In Estonia, having a residence permit is necessary for employment based on an employment contract or another contract, as well as for other activities that benefit third parties, irrespective of the kind or format of the contract that governs the activity and the location of the other party’s seat or place of residence.

A non-EU citizen may apply for a residence permit for employment if there has been an open competition in the hiring process and the person possesses the training, credentials, work experience, unique abilities, and expertise needed for the position. With the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund’s approval, a non-EU national may work. The consent is valid for two months from the date of issuance. Only when an alien’s earnings guarantee his survival in Estonia is a residence permit granted. A remuneration that is at least equal to Estonia’s current average yearly salaries must be paid to an immigrant.

When applying to work as an expert, advisor, consultant or for the purpose to perform managerial or supervisory duties of a legal person registered in Estonia that is governed by private law it’s not necessary to take consent of the Estonian Unemployment Insurance Fund and open competition and in that case, some conditions apply:

• Company applying for residence permit for employment must have been registered in Estonia for more than 5 months,
• Company should have conducted business activities.

Estonian residence permit for business

• For the purpose of undertaking commercial activity, an individual may apply for a residence visa in Estonia as a sole proprietor, commonly known as a FIE, by investing a minimum of 16,000 EUR to launch a business in Estonia.
  OR
• By contributing a minimum of 65,000 euros to the share capital of an Estonian company, an individual can apply for a business residency visa in Estonia, serving as both an owner and a board member of the company.

It is not necessary to infuse cash through your business structure; personal funds are acceptable for investments made out of an individual’s own funds or investments made in an Estonian company. The company must operate legally for a minimum of four months.

For European Union citizens.

To apply for Estonian temporary residency, an EU citizen must get in touch with the local government office nearest to their place of residence.

The following documents must be submitted to the Police and Border Guard Board upon the application for an identity card:

• An application form for residence of Estonia.
• The applicant’s identity document.
• A colored photo sized 40×50 mm.
• A document that certifies the payment of the state fee of 25 EUR.
• Within a period of one month from the date of submission of the application is issued identity card.

For a period of five years, the right of temporary residence will be automatically extended if:

• The EU citizen’s registered place of residence is continually in Estonia.
• The EU citizen’s right to temporary residence has not expired or been terminated.
• An EU citizen has to apply for a new identity card if the period of validity of an EU citizen’s identity card has expired.

To apply for the temporary residence permit of Estonia below mentioned documents have to be submitted: 

• Official Application form.
• Valid passport.
• Valid travel document – the validity of this document must be at least 3 months until the validity of the temporary residence permit expires and its copy.
• Documents that prove the grounds for the temporary residence permits.
• A document that provides proof of legal income.
• Colored photo 40×50 mm.
• Applicant’s CV.
• A document that proves alien’s living premises in Estonia belonging to him or through a lease agreement.
• Health insurance document – it will be presented after issuing the decision on granting the temporary residence permit.
• A document that proves that is paid the state fee of 65 EUR or 100 EUR for a residence permit for employment or 160 EUR for a residence permit for the business.

Any foreign national resident in Estonia with a temporary residency permit who plans to spend more than 183 days annually abroad must report his absences with the Police and Border Guard Board.

Permanent residency for Estonia

A non-EU national may apply for an Estonian business residency visa if they are a shareholder in a firm or consistently generate money.

The company or the sole proprietor must have a business plan. The business plan states:

• the character and range of the business,
• financial forecasts for the next two financial years,
• number of staff,

One of the following must apply:

• For the purpose of undertaking commercial activity, an individual may apply for a residence visa in Estonia as a sole proprietor, commonly known as a FIE, by investing a minimum of 16,000 EUR to launch a business in Estonia.
• By contributing a minimum of 65,000 euros to the share capital of an Estonian company, an individual can apply for a business residency visa in Estonia, serving as both an owner and a board member of the company.

Other requirements related to residence permit types

The Estonian consular post or diplomatic mission overseas must receive the application from the foreign national seeking the first-ever residence permit. Documents must be submitted by the applicant in person.

Submitting the documents is possible. at Estonia, documentation must be filed at a firm under the following criteria that are governed by private law in order to apply for a residence visa for business or managerial or supervisory employment:

• In relation to the company’s activities, the applicant is staying in Estonia with a visa or without one, and the company in Estonia needs to have been registered for at least four months.
• Additionally, the firm in Estonia needs to have handled actual commercial activities during the preceding four months.

An foreigner must register his residency in Estonia in the population register within one month after entering the country or beginning an extended stay there under the terms of a residency permit.

For the term of the residency permit, the individual must have insurance that covers all medical expenses related to receiving care in the event of illness or accident.

A person can apply for an Estonian permanent resident permit, also known as a long-term resident permit, if they have a temporary resident permit and can demonstrate five years of continuous residency.

For pupils:

When the amount of time spent in Estonia is split by two, three years would be worth 1.5 years.

The requirements are that you:

1. Valid temporary residence permit for Estonia.
2. Permanent legal income.
3. Registered residence in Estonia.
4. Medical Insurance Cover.
5. Language Proficiency.

Citizenship for Estonia:

• One must first establish residency in Estonia in order to apply for citizenship.
• Give the exam to pass the Estonian language; those who have completed their elementary, secondary, or post-secondary education in Estonia are exempt.
• Adults with limited legal ability and children under the age of fifteen are excused from taking the Estonian language exam. The Innova Foundation administers the tests and grants exemptions.

• Test your knowledge of the Citizenship Act and the Estonian Constitution.
• Children under the age of fifteen and persons with limited legal ability are exempt from this examination.
• You can register for the citizenship exam on the state website, www.eesti.ee.
• After passing the exam, candidates can apply in Estonian to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board to become citizens.
• Applications must be filed in Estonian.

Other documents to be submitted for citizenship of Estonia:

• Photograph.
• Income proof.
• Proof of payment for state fee.
• Proof confirming already released or shall be released from current citizenship.

Waiting Period: 6 months. Once, application for citizenship of Estonia has been submitted, processing time is 6 months before approval for Estonian citizenship.

* Once the citizenship is granted, then, an individual can apply for his/her Passport and Estonian ID Card.

• Estonian citizenship is a legal status that confers rights and obligations on both citizens and the state.

Rights of an Estonian citizen:

• Vote in referendums and elections for the Riigikogu (parliamentary body) if you are at least 18 years old and have not been declared by a judge to be incapable of exercising your legal rights.
• hold party affiliations.
• participate in the Riigikogu elections as a candidate if you are at least 21 years old.
• a person may run for president if they are at least 40 years old and were granted citizenship at birth.
• It is illegal to ban someone from leaving Estonia or to prevent them from relocating there. Estonian nationals travelling overseas are entitled to the diplomatic protection of their home country.

Estonian citizens have all the rights of the residents of the European Union, for example:

• visa-free travel within the European Union and to other countries,
• the right, without a work permit to work anywhere in the European Union,
• better learning opportunities in the European Union, and so on.

Obligations of an Estonian citizen:

• Duty of loyalty – the essence of which is to be loyal to the constitutional order and protect the independence of Estonia
• Duty of national defense – it means that male citizens of Estonia must service in the Defense Forces from the age of 16 to 60.
• Respect the constitutional order of Estonia – during their stay in Estonia citizens of foreign states and stateless persons must respect the constitutional order of Estonia.

Visa for Estonia | Estonian Schengen Visa | Schengen Visa for Estonia

Types of visas:

Tourist/Visitor Visa for Estonia:

• Invitation letter issued by friend or family in Estonia – if applicable
• Bank statement of the last 6 months for tourist visa of Estonia
• Passport

Visa for Estonia for Business Purpose:

• Invitation letter from an entity registered in Estonian company with their address and dates of visit.
• Certificate / invitation from individual`s employer mentioning purpose of business travel.
• Business bank statement for last 6 months.
• MOA of company.
• Undertaking for covering expenses of stay and travel from either employer or inviting company .

Visa for Estonia for Medical Purposes:

• Medical reports.
• Invitation from either the hospital or the doctor in Estonia, confirming your date of your appointment and urgency.
• Payment receipt for medical fees.
• Proof for coverage of your medical expenses.

Visa for Estonia for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes:

• Names of the applicants.
• Travel itinerary
• Invitation letter from the above-mentioned authorities, along with, purpose of visit undertaking for your expense coverage
• Duration of stay

Visa for Estonia required for Members of Official Delegation:

• Identity of applicant
• The official invitation copy
• Purpose of journey
• Duration of stay
• Place of accommodation

Visa for Estonia for Study, Internship Purposes, Training or Research:

• Enrollment certificate.
• Certificate for payment of fees.
• Financial statement.

Visa for Estonia for spouse of a Estonian citizen:

• Proof of citizenship of Estonia
• Marriage certificate from Estonia
• Estonian family record book

Airport Transit Visa for Estonia:

• Visa or other type of entry permit in the transit country
• Copy of valid visa to final destination