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Visa Information

VISA TYPES

Select the visa type that is right for you to see important information on visa fees, documents required, forms, photo specifications and processing times.

Short Term

  • Overview
  • Visa Fees
  • Documents Required
  • Photo Specifications
  • Processing Time
  • Download Forms

  • Overview

    A visa allows you to stay a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period in Estonia and is normally valid for the entire Schengen region. The Schengen countries are Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. Applications cannot be submitted earlier than six (6) months before the start of the planned journey.

    Decisions about visa applications will normally be made within 15 days from the day the Estonia Consulate receives the application, excluding submission and administration time at VFS.

    EU CITIZEN'S FAMILY MEMBERS

    Applicant under the directive 2004/38/EC

    Are entitled to apply for a Schengen visa submitting fewer documents than regular tourists and are exempted from paying the applicable visa fee. The directive is applicable only, when traveling together or joining with their EU/EEA or Swiss national’s family member. For more information and guidance on EU/EEA family members, click here.

    Applications cannot be submitted earlier than six (6) months before the start of the planned journey.

  • Visa Fees

    VISA FEE LIST
    Visa category Visa Fees EURO € Visa Fees USD$
    Schengen visa application (90 €): € 90 $ 94
    Schengen visa application for minors aged 6-11 (45 €): € 45 $ 47
    Schengen visa application for citizens of countries with Visa Facilitation Agreement (35 €): € 35 $ 36
    Schengen visa application for citizens of countries with Visa Facilitation Agreement – urgent procedure (70 €): € 70 $ 73
    Schengen visa application for citizens of Cabo Verde (60 €): € 60 $ 63
    Short-term Schengen visa (type C) for citizens of Gambia (120 €) : € 120 $ 125

    Please Note:

    • There is a service charge of Euro 10.96 all service charge are non-refundable and inclusive of applicable tax
    • The visa application center offers an optional service at a nominal additional cost:
    • 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

  • Documents Required

    Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here

    Applicants applying for Short term Visa for Estonia are advised to submit the documents as per the checklist of the Visa Categories they are applying for.

    Below are the checklists for the list of documents for various Visa Categories.

  • Photo Specifications

    • No more than 6-months old
    • 35X45mm in width
    • Taken against white background
    • Distance of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70 -80% of the photograph
    • No glasses

  • Processing Time

    All visa applications are examined according to the EU Visa code. According to Article 23 of the Code, applications shall be decided on within 15 calendar days from the date of registration at the Embassy. This period may be extended up to a maximum of 45 calendar days in individual cases, notably when further scrutiny of the application is needed.

    The diplomatic representation does not provide any information or comments about the procedure or decision-making process during the review period.

  • Download Forms

    https://eelviisataotlus.vm.ee/

Long Stay (D)

  • Overview
  • Visa Fees
  • Documents Required
  • Photo Specifications
  • Processing Time
  • Download Forms

  • Overview

    Estonian long-term visa (D-visa) is meant for third-country nationals, whose intended stay in Estonia is more than 90 days in 180-day period. Persons, who’s intended stay is shorter, must apply for Schengen visa (C-visa) or use their right for visa free short-term stay (up to 90 days in 180 day period) in Estonia.

    Estonian D-visa can be issued for maximum 12 months with maximum period of stay 365 days. Issuance of consecutive D-visas is restricted (maximum period of stay during 730 days is 548 days).

    Travel purposes of D-visa is not restricted, in general person can apply for long-term visa on any travel purpose providing that applicant can prove his or her intention to stay in Estonia for more than 90 days in 180 day period.

    D-visa issued by a Schengen Member State gives to its holder right to stay in Estonia as described on the visa sticker and stay up to 90 days in 180-day period also in other Schengen Member States.

    Who can lodge D-visa application in VFS Global VACs in the United States

    • Residents of the United States irrespective of their citizenship.
    • Residents of other countries, were it is not possible to apply for Estonian D-visa (which do not have Estonian representation which handles visa applications). List of Estonian representations which are handling visa applications can be found here.

  • Visa Fees

    VISA TYPE VISA FEE IN USD
    D-visa (long-term visa) application (120 €): $ 125
    D-visa (long-term visa) application for minors aged 6-11 (60 €): $ 63
    D-visa (Long-term visa) for children below 6 (0 €): $ 0

    • The applicable visa fee in USD depends on the monthly exchange rate therefore the fee in USD is subject to change without notice. We accept credit or debit cards only.
    • Along with the visa fees, a service charge of 16.90 € (payable in USD) is applicable per visa application. Service charge in USD depends on the monthly exchange rate therefore the fee in USD is subject to change without notice. We accept credit or debit cards only.

    The following persons are exempted from paying the visa fee, however will have to pay VFS logistics

    • A family member of an Estonian citizen;
    • A family member of an EU/ EEA citizen according to the directive 2004/38/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

  • Documents Required

    General documents. All applicants must present:

    1. application form. Application form can be filled in Estonian or English. Application form must be filled online, printed out and signed at the end of each page and at the end of the form;
    2. one colour photograph with size 35×45 mm, no older than 6 months, showing applicant looking directly to the camera, neutral facial expression, be taken with a plain light-coloured background, without head covering except for religious reasons, but applicant’s facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of your face must be clearly shown. Please find additional information about requirements to the photo here. Photo must be glued to the application form;
    3. travel document. Travel document must include at least two free pages for visas, document must be valid at least three months after the end of the validity of the visa requested and on the day of the end of the validity of the requested visa passport should not be older than 10 years;
    4. travel medical insurance, which guarantees payment of any costs related to applicant’s medical treatment due to applicant’s illness or injury during the validity of the visa. As a rule, travel medical insurance must be valid for the whole period of requested visa, in most cases length of the visa is directly linked with length of insurance. If applicant will be covered with Estonian health insurance (Haigekassa) after arrival to Estonia, travel medical insurance must cover only the period until Estonian health insurance (Haigekassa) insurance becomes valid. For example – if person applies visa for short-term employment, travel medical insurance must cover travel period and first 14 days of working.

      5. If applicant applies for a visa to go to Estonia to apply there for a residence permit, applicant’s insurance must cover period which applicant needs for lodging residence permit application and getting answer to the residence permit application. In this case, Consulate suggests making insurance for 6 months at least.

    5. Documents about financial means
      1. Threshold of financial means (living expenses):
        1. D-visa applicant, who has also ground for applying for a residence permit or who is applying visa for studies or for family visit to close relatives who has Estonian residence permit or is Estonian citizen, must prove financial means at least 300 euros per every month of the first year of stay in Estonia;
        2. applicant who is applying for visa for start-up business must prove financial means at least 4.50 euros per every day of the first year of stay in Estonia;
        3. applicant, who is applying visa for remote working (a.k.a. teleworking visa or digital nomad visa) must prove that his or her average income during last six months has been at least 3,924 Euros per month (see also list of supporting documents for teleworking visa);
        4. applicant, who is applying for visa for short-term employment does not have present documents about financial means;
        5. all other applicants must prove that they have at least 130.80 Euros per every day of stay for the whole visa period.
      2. Additionally applicant must prove that he or she has enough financial means for other expenses relate to applicant’s stay in Estonia (e.g. tuition fees).
      3. Documents applicant can use to prove that he or she has sufficient financial means:
        1. bank statement for last six months;
        2. documents proving that applicant has had regular income during last six months and that he or she will not lose this income during his or her stay in Estonia;
        3. if another person is covering applicant’s expenses during stay in Estonia applicant must present this person’s sponsorship letter which is accompanied with documents proving that sponsor has enough financial means to sponsor the applicant.
    6. Supporting documents according to the purpose of stay:
      1. Study:
        1. confirmation of the educational institution in Estonia about admission of the applicant;
        2. exchange student presents also confirmation from local educational institution, where applicant studies;
        3. students, who are participating in international program (i.e. Erasmus) present also confirmation from the local coordinator of the program and other documents which prove applicant’s status as participant of international program.
      2. Short-term employment:
        1. printout of the confirmation of the registration of the short-term employment.
      3. Start-up business:
        1. printout of the notification from of the Startup Committee about positive decision (you can read more about Startup Committee here).
      4. Moving to close relative (visiting family or friends):
        1. document proving family relations (birth or marriage certificate or certificates). These documents must be presented in original together with a copy (also original pf the document must be submitted to the Consulate), original documents are returned to the applicant together with applicant’s passport;
        2. if applicant is an adult child who due to his or her health status or disability is unable to cope independently – documents proving his or her health status or disability.
      5. Visa for remote working (digital nomad visa)
        1. documents proving that the applicant’s work does not depend on location and he or she can use telecommunication technology for performing his or her duties as telework;
        2. documents proving that the applicant
          1. continues working for an employer registered in a foreign country with whom he or she has a contractual relationship or
          2. continues working under contract for an foreign employer (not registered in Estonia) or
          3. carries out business activities for a foreign company in which applicant has holdings or
          4. provides services mainly to customers whose place of business is in a foreign country and with whom he/she has a contractual relationship;
          5. Documents proving the applicant’s legal income during six months preceding submission of the application and showing the amount, regularity and sources of the income. Currently the monthly income threshold is 3,924 euros;
          6. Resume of studies and job history (CV).
      6. The documents referred to in two first points of previous list may be:
        • a written explanation by the applicant regarding the intention to use the visa for teleworking;
        • a written confirmation by the employer stating that it is possible for the applicant to perform their work duties in the form of teleworking;
        • an employment contract or another contract under the law of obligations;
        • a certificate issued by a competent authority of the applicant’s country of location in proof of the payment of state taxes, local taxes or social security contributions mandatory in the applicant’s country of location;
        • a certificate issued by a competent authority of the company’s country of registered office, indicating the name, registered office and area of activity of the company, the applicant’s holdings in the company and details of the legal representatives of the company;
        • a certificate issued by a competent authority of the company’s country of registered office in proof of the payment of state taxes, local taxes or social security contributions mandatory in the company’s country of registered office and on the absence of tax arrears;
        • any other documents.
      7. Additional documents If applicant is minor
        1. birth certificate (original + copy). If single parent or guardian, the court order must be provided. The birth certificate and court order need to be legalized or certified with an apostille certificate. If the documents are not in English, notarized translation must be provided;
        2. notarized consent letter signed by both parents or legal guardian(s) if not travelling with the minor;
        3. copy of passport of parent(s) or guardian(s) if not applying together with the minor.
      8. Biometrics
        1. All applicants who are 12 or older must give fingerprints of all 10 fingers.

  • Photo Specifications

    Note: We regret we cannot accept photographs that do not meet these requirements

    Please provide one recent photograph (not more than 6 months old) of yourself, which should not have been used previously in the passport. The photograph should be in color and:

    • one colour photograph with size 35×45 mm, no older than 6 months, showing applicant looking directly to the camera, neutral facial expression, be taken with a plain light-coloured background, without head covering except for religious reasons, but applicant’s facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of your face must be clearly shown. Please find additional information about requirements to the photo here. Photo must be glued to the application form

    Note: Please follow these instructions carefully. If photographs presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete. A photo booth meeting these requirements is available at the centre.

  • Processing Time

    All visa applications are examined according to the EU Visa code. According to Article 23 of the Code, applications shall be decided on within 15 calendar days from the date of registration at the Embassy. This period may be extended up to a maximum of 45 calendar days in individual cases, notably when further scrutiny of the application is needed.

    The diplomatic representation does not provide any information or comments about the procedure or decision-making process during the review period.

  • Download Forms

    Application Forms

    eelviisataotlus.vm.ee

    D visa- Study

    Filling the application

    • Open the link above or navigate to eelviisataotlus.vm.ee and select the language you wish to use for filling the application.
    • Enter your e-mail address as well as the anti-spam symbols required to proceed.
    • Fill in the application according to the instructions. Make sure to read all the instructions carefully and provide as much information as possible. Avoid typing errors and if in doubt, click on the symbol next to the appropriate field for additional information. ATTENTION: Your name in the application must be exactly the same as written in your travel document (passport). Please note when completing the application if you have a middle name, you must enter both your first and middle name in the first name field of the application.
    • After completing the visa application, you will be provided with the number of your visa application and the filled form will be sent to your e-mail address as a .pdf file. You will also be given the choice to print the form out immediately.
    • After printing the form, either from the webpage or from you e-mail, you must sign it, before submitting it to the Embassy or the Consulate General together with other required documents and the visa fee.