Visa Regulations
04.01.2012
As of 21 December 2007, Estonia is a part of the Schengen visa area.
Applying for a visa Generally you must submit your visa application to the Estonian representations abroad or other Member State representing Estonia in issuing Schengen visas in person.
Estonian Honorary Consuls provide only general information on visa requirements, they may not collect or examine visa applications. Visa application may also be submitted through an authorised representative or a commercial intermediary. A representative may be: - 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. - Couriers of state agencies, administrative or local government agencies or international organisations.
- 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.
At the request of a consular officer, you are required to appear at the Embassy or Consulate in person in order to provide explanations concerning facts which are relevant in application for the visa. A visa application should in principle be lodged at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit (as this is the normal processing time) and cannot be lodged earlier than three months before the start of the intended visit. Types of Schengen visa Airport transit visa (type A) – is issued for passing through the international transit areas of airports situated on the territory of the Member States.
Common list of third countries whose nationals are required to be in possession of an airport transit visa when passing through the international transit area of airports situated on the territory of the Member States Short-term visa (type C) – is issued for transit through or an intended stay in the territory of the Schengen States of a duration of no more than three months in any six-month period from the date of first entry in the territory of the Schengen States. If you wish to visit only Estonia, the Schengen visa has to be applied for at the Estonian representation or at the representation of the member state representing Estonia in issuing Schengen visas. If the travel destination includes more than one Schengen member state, the application must be lodged at the representation of the main destination. The main destination is understood to be the destination where you intend to spend the longest time or where the main purpose of the intended journey is carried out. If you wish to visit several Schengen member states and you are not sure of the state of main destination or plan to spend the equal number of days in each state, the visa must be applied for at the representation of the state through which the visa applicant intends to enter the Schengen area. Documents to be submitted upon application for visa The following shall be submitted upon application for visa: - a valid travel document which is issued within previous 10 years, contains at least two blank pages for visas and is valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa;
- a filled in and signed application form. In case several persons (minors or a spouse) are covered by the same travel document, individual application forms must be filled in and signed by the persons concerned, in case of minors signed by the parental authority or the legal guardian. A minor at least 15 years old may lodge and sign a visa application personally;
- photo (size 35x45 mm, requirements to a photo);
- Insurance policy valid in Schengen countries with a coverage of at least 30.000 EUR for the entire duration of stay in Schengen area;
- supporting documents:
• documents indicating the purpose of journey;
• documents in relation to accommodation or proof of sufficient means to cover your accommodation;
• documents indicating that you possess sufficient means of subsistence both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to your country of origin or residence (58 € for each day in Estonia);
• information which enables to assess your intention to leave Schengen area before the expiry of the visa. - visa fee
State fee for processing the visa application Visa fee at the Embassy in Riga is paid in Latvian lats (because of changes of currency exchange rate visa fee may change, 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 Swedbank Latvia IBAN account nr: LV32HABA0001408045537. The following persons are exempted from paying the visa fee: - Children under 6 years.
- A family member of an Estonian or an EU/ EEA citizen of a third country whose nationals are required to hold a visa for the Schengen area; persons who intend to attend meetings of the United Nations or its organizations, the Council of Europe, the European Union or the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to be held in Estonia.
- School children, students, post-graduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for the purpose only of study or educational training.
- Researchers coming from third countries travelling in the Community for conducting scientific research with a view to facilitating proceedings carried out by Member States for issuing uniform short -stay visas.
- Persons invited by Parliament or the Estonian Government.
- Anyone who, by virtue of an international convention, is entitled to a visa free of charge.
Representatives of non-profit organizations aged 25 years or less participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural or educational events organized by non-profit organizations. - Holders of diplomatic and service passports
- According to Visa Facilitation Agreements
Long-stay (D) visa According to the new Estonian Aliens Act from the October 1, 2010 a long-stay (D) visa is possible to apply for a number of reasons such as study, work or family relations. A long-stay visa may be issued for single or multiple entries into Estonia with a period of stay up to six months and with a period of validity up to twelve months. A long-stay visa should be applied in person only at the Estonian representations. Documents to be submitted upon application for visa - a valid travel document which is issued within previous 10 years, contains at least two blank pages for visas and is valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa;
- a fully completed and signed application form.
- a photo (size 35x45 mm);
- a insurance policy valid for Estonia or for the Schengen area with a coverage of at least 30.000 EUR for the entire duration of stay;
- documents indicating the purpose of journey:
- a confirmation letter from the host;
- documents in relation to accommodation or proof of sufficient means to cover the accommodation;
- a diplomatic note or confirmation letter from the international organization;
- notice to appear;
- international cargo service documents etc.
- any information which supports an applicant intention to leave the Schengen area before the expiry of the visa;
- documents proving the sufficient means of subsistence for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to the country of origin or residence (58 € for each day in Estonia);
- a visa fee
Long-stay visa for a short-term employment Before applying a short-term employment must be registered at the Estonian Police- and Border Guard Board. An application for registration of short-term employment may be submitted in the following cases: - persons engaged in creative activities who work in a performing arts institution;
- for working as a teacher or lecturer in an educational institution, which complies with requirements established by Estonian law;
- for working as a scientist if the alien has appropriate professional training or experience;
- for working as a sportsman, coach, referee or sports official for professional activities on the basis of an invitation from a respective sports federation;
- for employment as a trainee in order to obtain vocational education intermediated by an educational institution or a student organization located abroad if this is a part of the relevant training programme;
- in order to serve in the diplomatic representation of a foreign country with the permission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
- for working as an au pair;
- for working as an expert, adviser or consultant providing that the alien has the required professional training;
- for working as an installer of equipment or a skilled worker providing that the alien has the required professional training
- for working as a seasonal worker processing agricultural products;
- on the basis of an international agreement.
For more information about registration of a short-term employment, please visit Police- and Border Guard Board website. Exceptions Working Holiday visa for the citizens of Australia and New Zealand
Under the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Estonia and the Governments of Australia and New Zealand visas are being issued, granting the right to work to 18-30 year old Australian and New Zealand 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. The citizens of Australia and New Zealand willing to benefit from the application of those Agreements have to apply for D type visa at the nearest Estonian Embassy.
More information: Australia; New Zealand Working Holiday visa for the citizens of Canada
Under the Bilateral Youth Mobility Agreement between Canada and Estonia visas are being issued, granting the right to work to 18-35 year old Canadian citizens, who may stay in Estonia for up to a year. The citizens of Canada willing to benefit from the application of this Agreement have to apply for D type visa at Estonian Embassy in Ottawa.
More information: Youth mobility agreement Application form
 
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