Estonia is the northernmost country of the Baltic region in north-eastern Europe. It is part of the Schengen Agreement, therefore it’s visa policy is somewhat determined by the common Schengen rules. Depending on the purpose of your visit, different visas are available, such as work, family reunification, study, or investment visas.
However, if you want to visit Estonia, first, you must check if you need an Estonian visa. If you are from a country that requires a visa, you can apply for either a short-stay or a long-stay visa.
Do I Need a Visa to Go to Estonia?
You need a visa to visit Estonia if you are from a non-EU/EEA/Swiss country that does not have a visa-free agreement with Schengen. You can apply for a:
- A short-stay visa allows you to stay in Estonia for 90 days within 180 days.
- Long-stay D visa allows you to stay in Estonia for one year. With a national visa, you can apply for a temporary residence permit, which allows you to stay in Estonia long-term.
You do not need a visa to visit Estonia if:
- You are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen.
- You are from a county with visa liberalization with Schengen (e.g., USA, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, etc.). In this case, you can only stay in Estonia for 90 days within 180 days. For longer stays, you need an Estonian national visa.
Types of Estonia Visas
There are different types of Estonian visas depending on the occasion:
- Estonia Schengen Visa. It allows you to visit Estonia for 90 days within 180 days. This visa is issued for short visits and tourism. Furthermore, since Estonia is a part of the Schengen Agreement, you can visit other Schengen countries with a Schengen visa for Estonia.
- Estonia Transit Visa. This visa is issued for passengers who need to transit in an Estonian airport while traveling to a third country. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens do not need a visa to transit through Estonia.
- Estonia Work Visa. To work in Estonia, citizens outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland need to apply for a work visa. However, your employer must register your employment with the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board before you plan to apply for a work visa. Citizens of EU/EEA/Swiss will need to register as Estonian residents in the Population Register of Estonia and apply for an ID card in the first three months of their stay.
- Estonia Student Visa. All those who want to study in Estonia and are not from the EU/EEA/Swiss need to apply for a student visa. You can only apply for a student visa only after being accepted into an Estonian university or other educational institution. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens who will study in Estonia only have to register their residence at the Local Government authority and apply for an ID card within the first month.
- Estonia Family Visa. If you want to join your family members or partner living in Estonia, you must apply for an Estonia family visa and a temporary residence permit. It allows you to settle in Estonia, work, study, and enjoy the same residency rights as your family member.
- Estonia Investment Visa. If you want to invest in a business in Estonia, you must first apply for an Estonian investment visa and a temporary residence permit.
- Estonia Digital Nomad Visa. To allow freelancers work in Estonia, the authorities have created a special visa just for this purpose, which is known as the Estonia digital nomad visa.
- Estonia Eu Blue Card. If you are a skilled worker with the right qualifications and you are seeking for a job in Estonia, than you have to apply for Estonia Eu Blue Card residence permit.
Difference Between Estonia Schengen Visa and Long-Term Visa
The difference between an Estonia Schengen visa and a long-term visa is that:
| Estonia Schengen Visa | D Visa |
|---|---|
| The Schengen visa is issued for 90 days. | The long-stay visa is issued for 365 days. |
| This visa is issued more for tourism, visits, business meetings, etc. | This visa is issued for work, study, or family reunification. |
| Certain nationalities are exempt from a Schengen visa (e.g., US, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, etc.). | Everyone from a country not a part of the EU/EEA/Switzerland needs a D-Visa. |
| With a Schengen Visa, you can not apply for a residence permit for work, studies, etc. You must leave Estonia before the visa expires. | You can move to Estonia with a D-Visa and apply for a residence permit for study, work, etc., allowing you to live in Estonia indefinitely. |
Estonia Visa Application Process
To apply for an Estonia visa, you must book an appointment at one of the following:
- The nearest Consulate or Embassy in your home country.
- Another Schengen country consulate that represents Estonia’s interests (if there is no Estonia consulate in your country).
- A visa agency that offers the opportunity to apply through it.
Find the Estonia consulates and embassies abroad here.
Follow these steps when applying for an Estonia visa:
Step 1: Book an Appointment with the Estonian Embassy/Consulate
You must contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Estonia in your home country and book an appointment. Booking an appointment for your visa application is an essential step.
Keep in mind that many applicants can apply daily for a visa, so make sure you make the appointment at least two weeks before the planned travel date, so you do not face any delays.
Step 2: Submit the Required Documents at the Estonian Embassy/Consulate
To apply for an Estonia visa, you must submit the following documents at the nearest embassy/consulate of Estonia in your home country:
- Valid passport. The passport must be valid at least three months after the return date, and it must have two blank pages. Include a copy of previous visas (if any).
- Application form. Fill out the application form online sincerely, and sign it at the end. Do not leave any blank spaces. Make sure to choose the application form specific to your visa type and follow the instructions on how to fill in the application form.
- Two photos. Photos must be passport-size, with colors and a light background. For further information, follow the Schengen visa photo guidelines.
- Health insurance. Document proof that you have valid travel insurance covering the whole Schengen area with a coverage of €30,000 if you face any medical problem while traveling.
- Cover letter. The cover letter must explain your trip to Estonia, including the purpose of your visit, how long you plan to stay, which countries you plan to visit, etc.
- Flight itinerary. The flight itinerary is a document that includes your flight details, including the date and time you plan on flying, the airplane agency name, etc.
- Accommodation proof. Proof that you have a place to stay in Estonia. This documented proof can be a letter of invitation from a friend or a family member, a rental agreement, etc.
- Civil status. Document proof of your civil status if you are married (marriage certificate), if you are living together (evidence that you live together), if you have a child (birth certificate of the child), etc.
- Bank statement. The bank statement document is issued from the last six months from your bank. It must prove that you will be able to finance yourself while being in Estonia.
Note: The documents must be officially translated into English or Estonian. Any missing document can lead to your visa refusal.
Step 3: Attend the Visa Interview
When submitting the documents to the Estonian embassy/consulate, you will pay a fee for the application, and you may be requested to be interviewed. The interview will contain questions regarding your visit to Estonia, the purpose of your visit, how long you plan to stay, etc.
Step 4: Wait for a Response
After submitting the requested documents, the application form, and attending the interview, the next step is waiting for a response from the embassy with your visa result. You will receive a response via email or text message within 15 to 30 days.
Entering Estonia After Receiving a Visa
If you are entering Estonia with a Schengen visa for tourism or visit purposes, there isn’t any rule to be followed after entering. If you are entering Estonia with a long-term visa, that means you will stay in Estonia for longer than three months to one year. You must apply for a residence permit at the Police and Border Guard Board service offices to be issued a residence permit.
How Long Should I Wait to Get my Estonia Visa After Applying?
The processing time for an Estonia visa is 15 to 30 days. You will receive a response from the embassy for your visa application via text or email. Depending on the time you submit the documents and your case, the processing time can be even longer.
Going From Long-Stay Visa to a Residence Permit in Estonia
If you want to stay in Estonia for longer than one year, you must apply for a residence permit. You must book an appointment at the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB) in Estonia and gather and submit all the requested documents and the application form in person.
The service halls of PBGB in Estonia are in Tammsaare (Tallinn), Pinna (Tallinn), Tartu, Pärnu, Narva, and Jõhvi.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Can I Do If My Estonian Visa Application Is Refused?
If your visa application for Estonia is refused, you can:
- Re-apply for the same visa one more time.
- Apply for a Schengen visa to another Schengen country and visit Estonia with the same visa.
- Appeal the decision. You can appeal the decision within 30 days of your visa rejection by following the instructions on the visa rejection letter. You must pay a fee of €20 when you appeal the rejection.
Why is an Estonia Visa Application Denied?
The main reasons why your Estonian visa can be refused are:
- If you have a past or a current criminal record.
- If you have false travel documentation.
- If you have a damaged passport.
- If any of the required documents are missing.
- If you have any incorrect information in your application form.
- If you don’t attend your visa appointment on time.
- If you don’t have proof of accommodation.
- If you don’t have a return flight ticket.
- If you lie at your interview for your visit purpose.
How Long Can I Stay in Estonia With a Visa?
Depending on how long you plan to stay in Estonia and what type of visa you apply for, you can stay in Estonia for 90 days with a short-stay visa or one year with a long-stay visa. You can calculate your short stays in Estonia online by using this calculator.
How Can I Stay for Longer than 90 Days?
If you want to stay in Estonia for longer than three months, you can:
- Apply for a long-stay visa. The long-stay visa will allow you to stay in Estonia for one year. You can work, study and stay in Estonia with a long-term visa.
- Apply for an extension of your Schengen visa. Extensions for a Schengen visa are granted only under certain conditions, such as humanitarian reasons.
What Are the Most Common Estonia Visa Application Interview Questions?
Here are the most common questions when applying for a visa in Estonia.
- Are you married?
- What is the purpose of your visit to Estonia?
- Do you have children? If yes, how many?
- Do you have any family members living in Estonia?
- How long do you plan to stay in Estonia?
- Do you pay taxes in your home country?
- Have you ever flown to any other Schengen countries?
- Your bank statement?
- What do you work for in your home country?
- What is your educational qualification?