Visa Regulations

26.03.2010

• As of 5 April 2010 Estonian diplomatic missions and consular posts will apply Visa Code
• As of 5 April 2010 new visa application forms are in use

As of 21 December 2007, Estonia is a part of the Schengen visa area.

- Visa to enter Estonia
- Applying for a visa
- Document requirements
- Visa fee
- Visa types issued in Estonian Consulate in Riga
- Agreements on facilitation of issuance of visas
- Visa applicant’s rights on the protection of personal data

Nationals of the countries listed in the section "Who do not need a visa to visit Estonia" may visit Estonia without a visa.

Nationals of countries NOT LISTED in that section REQUIRE A VISA to enter Estonia.

A visa is a permit granted to an alien, allowing the visa holder to enter Estonia and to stay in Estonia for the duration indicated on the visa, unless otherwise provided for by law. Visa does not give the right to work in Estonia.

Applying for a visa

The application and issuance of a visa in the Estonian foreign representations

Generally the visa applicant must submit his/her visa application to the foreign representation in person.

Visa application may also be submitted through a representative. A representative may be:

1. A legal representative of a minor or of a person whose active legal capacity is restricted by a court – a legal representative shall together with the visa application submit a document certifying the right of representation;
   A minor is person under 18 years of age. A person who is at least 15 years old may submit a visa application in person.
2. Couriers of state agencies, administrative or local government agencies or international organisations.
3. Other persons holding the respective authorisation document – to that group mostly belong the representatives of tourist agencies, who are also competent to explain the travel arrangement and the purposes of the travel.

Foreign nationals who need an entry visa are requested to apply for it at the nearest Estonian mission. In countries where Estonia does not have a mission, another Schengen country may represent Estonia in visa matters.

Document requirements

The following shall be submitted upon application for visa:

1. a valid travel document which must contain at least two blank pages for visas and be valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa;
2. a filled in and signed application;
3. photo (size 35x45 mm, requirements to a photo);
4. Policy valid in Schengen countries with a coverage of at least 30.000 EUR for the entire duration of stay in Schengen area;
5. documents proving the purpose of the travel;
6. documents in relation to accommodation, flight reservation, or proof of sufficient means of subsistence both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to your country of origin or residence
7. documents certifying the covering of the accommodation costs and the costs of stay in Estonia;
8. document certifying the payment of state fee or document certifying the exemption from paying state fee;

Additional documents to be presented upon application for a long-term visa:

1. Journalists are in addition required to present their accreditation decision and the confirmation of the employer, as well as a guarantee letter on covering the sending costs in Estonia.
2. A spouse and a minor child applying for a long-term visa shall in addition present a document proving relationship or marital status.
3. An adult child applying for a long-term visa shall in addition present a document proving relationship as well as a document proving the state of health or disability.

Visa fee

Visa fee in Riga embassy is paid in Latvian lats (because of changes of currency exchange rate visa fee may change in the beginning of every month, to learn about visa fees call to the Consular section), or it can be paid also to the bank account of Estonian Embassy in Riga: AS Hansabanka IBAN account nr: LV32HABA0001408045537.

The following are exempt from payment of state fees upon the review of visa applications:

1. persons who enter Estonia by invitation of the President of Estonia, a member of the Board of the Riigikogu, a member of the Government of the Republic, the Chancellor of Justice, the Auditor General, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or the Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces if it serves to protect cultural interests, in the field foreign policy, development policy or other areas of vital public interest or on humanitarian reasons;
2. persons of less than 6 years of age;
3. according to the Agreements on facilitation of issuance of visas;
4. spouses and first degree relatives in ascending and descending line of citizens of EU and EEZ states and Switzerland – only in cases when citizen of EU or EEZ state does not depend on applicant. To get visa free of charge relationship has to be proved;
5. pupils, students and their sending teachers who are travelling for educational purposes;
6. in case of short- term visa, researcher who is travelling in European Union for academic research purposes.
   

Visa types issued in Estonian Consulate in Riga

Transit visa (type B)
Transit visa is given for single- or dual-entry transit journey through Estonia to the next transit country or arrival country, where the person has a legal basis to enter. The transit visa may also be given for multiple journeys when necessary for the completion of professional or employment duties.

Short term visa (type C)
Short-term visa is given for single entry without break or for multiple entries into Schengen area for stay up to 90 days during six months period.

Long-term visa (type D)
Long- term visa may be issued to an alien, who wishes to stay in the territory of Estonia longer than three months, and it may be issued for single entry without break or for multiple entries, the total duration of which does not exceed six months.

A long-term visa may be issued to journalists of foreign countries accredited in Estonia as well as to their family members, to Estonian honorary consuls in foreign countries as well as to their family members and to aliens who have registered their short-time employment and their family members.

As family members the following are considered: the spouses of the said persons, their minor children as well as adult children who because of their health condition or disability are not capable of coping independently. In the case of a family member it is important that they should arrive in Estonia either accompanying the said person or to the said person.

Please note that long-term is only valid in Estonia.

Working Holiday visas

Under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Government of Australia Relating to Working Holiday Visas (enforced 20 May 2005), visas are being issued, granting the right to work to 18-30 year old Australian citizens, who may stay in Estonia for up to a year. The work done within that period has to contribute to the main purpose of stay in the country, namely to recreation in Estonia; and those using the opportunity must not work for the same employer longer than three months.

Visa applicant's rights on the protection of personal data

According to the Estonian Personal Data Protection Act, a person has the right to obtain information on his/her personal data and on the processing of such data. A person also has the right to contact the chief processing or authorized agent, the Data Protection Inspectorate, or the Court for the correction or deletion of his/her personal data.

In order to access the personal data entered into the visa registry, a person should contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a diplomatic representation of the Republic of Estonia, or the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Access to such data is provided by the Personal Data Protection Act and the Public Information Act.

The chief processing agent of the visa registry is the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Pikk 61, 15065 Tallinn, Estonia. Tel. +372 612 5008

Information from the State Registry of Prohibitions of Entry may be obtained at http://www.siseministeerium.ee/30799.