Estonia – formally known as the Republic of Estonia, is a country located in the Northern Europe. It is enclosed by the Gulf of Finland, to the west from the Sweden by the sea, to the south by Latvia, and to by the Lake Peipus and Russia to the East.
This populous country is home to 1.3 million people and is spread over an area of 45,227 km2.
Tallinn – the capital of Estonia is the medieval city located in the Northern Europe, and is a major tourist attraction for tourists. Estonians are very well familiar with one other language as English, German, or Finnish.
Since 2007 when Estonia became a member state of the Estonia Schengen area, tourist can apply for Estonian Schengen Visa.
Interesting Fact: The number of tourists visits per year is bigger that the number of the total population of Estonia.
Entry Requirements for Estonia
If you are an EU national with an identification document, you are allowed to enter the territory of Estonia.
On the flip side, if you are travelling to Estonia as an non-EU national, you will need to present required documents at the Estonian port of Entry. Following are the required documents you need:
- A valid passport or travel document. It is valid for least 3 months from the intended date of departure from the Schengen Agreement and issued within the last 10 years
- Visa – if you are covered by the Estonian visa system
- Round-trip airfare to Estonia. You must prove that you do not intend to stay in Estonia illegally
- Proof of residence in Estonia. Documents proving where you will be staying during your stay in Estonia
- Sufficient funds for the entire trip in Estonia. The Republic of Estonia requires you to have at least 100 euros per day to spend in Estonia
- Travel insurance valid throughout the Schengen countries with a minimum coverage of amount EUR 30,000 for medical calamity.
The Estonian border police, who has the final say on whether or not you are granted entry into Estonia, may ask you a few questions regarding your visit. Be prepared to answer any questions and provide any necessary documents for verification. By having all the required information on hand, you can ensure a smooth entry process into Estonia. Some of the important questions border police may ask are:
- The purpose of Visiting Estonia
- For how much duration you intend to stay in Estonia?
- Where you will be staying in Estonia etc?
You have the opportunity to enter Estonia, and the entire Schengen territory, if the Estonian border officer assesses you as no risk upon confirming your documents. It is essential that your passport is stamped when you enter Estonia. Should it not be stamped, you may face fines or detention. So don’t forget to have your passport stamped at the border.
Who Requires a Schengen Visa to Enter Estonia?
If you are a citizen of a non-Schengen member country, you may require a Schengen visa when entering Estonia for stays of 90 days or less within a 180-day period. Your nationality will determine whether a visa is necessary for your stay. Make sure to check your visa requirements for a stress-free visit.
You will require a short-stay visa to enter Estonia or any other member country of the Schengen zone – if you are a:
- Passport holders from third world countries that do not have visa liberalization agreements with Schengen countries.
- Passport holders from third world countries who have entered into visa liberalization agreements with Schengen countries but have previously been denied entry into Estonia or other Schengen countries.
Which Visa Do You Need to Enter Estonia?
The application process for an Estonian Schengen visa greatly relies on the rationale behind your desire to visit Estonia. Dependent on your purpose of entrance and stay in Estonia, you can apply for one of the following Schengen visa categories for Estonia:
Estonia airport transit visa. At Schengen airports in Estonia if he needs to rebook a flight to a non-EU destination country.
Estonian transit visa. If you need to disembark at an Estonian port in order to sail to a non-EU destination country.
Estonia tourist visa. If you are visiting Estonia for tourism purposes, tourism or holidays.
Visa for visiting family and friends in Estonia. If you are seeking to visit family or friends who live in Estonia.
Business visa for Estonia. If you need to participate in business activities in Estonia.
Visa for official visits to Estonia. If you travel to Estonia as an official representative of an institution/organisation.
Medical visa for Estonia. If you are looking for treatment in Estonia.
Estonian student visa. If you want to study/train in Estonia, up to 3 months of time duration
Estonia visa for cultural, sports and film teams. If you want to attend cultural or sporting events in Estonia or if you are part of a film crew.
Do note that these visas allow you to stay in Estonia for up to 90 days within a period of 180 days. If you need a visa for a long-term stay in Estonia, apply for an Estonian national visa instead.
What Document you Require for Estonian Schengen Visa Application?
Once you have chosen the visa type that best suits your purpose of entry, you will need to obtain the following Estonia visa requirements:
Application form for a short stay visa to Estonia. The form must be filled out, printed and signed at the end. If you’re not confident about filling out forms, you can easily learn here how to fill them out correctly.
Two identical passport photos. Make sure you meet the photo requirements for your Schengen visa application.
A valid passport. Check if your passport meets the requirements of the Schengen countries which are as follows:
- Your passport must have at least two blank pages for your visa to be affixed.
- Must have been issued within the last 10 years.
- Must be valid for at least 3 months from the intended date of departure from Estonia and the entire Schengen area.
- Copy of previous visa
Letter of acceptance. This letter is required to prove that all applicants consent to the processing of their personal data.
Estonian Travel Health Insurance. If you are travelling to Estonia and the entire Schengen area, a minimum of €30,000 applies for medical emergencies and repatriation in case of death.
Round-trip schedule. Documents proving that you have a reserved seat on a round-trip flight from your current country of residence to Estonia. This document must include your flight number, entry and departure dates, and your details.
Proof of accommodation. There need to provide evidence to the embassy/consulate where you are staying during your stay in Estonia. i.e., Hotel reservations. Browse and book hotels in Estonia here.
Proof of citizenship. This can be a marriage certificate, a child’s birth certificate, a spouse’s death certificate, etc.
Proof of sufficient financial means for your stay in Estonia. The financial means that all foreigners applying for an Estonian visa must prove to the Estonian embassy or consulate is €86 per day of stay in Estonia.
The cover letters. A personal letter mentioning why you’re applying for a visit to Estonia, how long you intend to stay, when you will depart and other details.
Additional Visa Requirements for Estonian Depending on your Employment Status
Additional visa requirements for Estonia are as follows, depending on your employment status:
If you’re employed:
- Employment contract
- Checking statements for the last 6 months
- Employer paid vacation
- Income Tax Return (ITR) Form
For self-employed:
- Copy of business license
- Company account statements for the last 6 months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
If you are still a student:
- Registration card
- School or college clearance certificate
- advertisement
If retired:
- Pension certificate for the last 6 months
If that applies to you:
- Proof of regular income from real estate for the last 6 months
Read more: No objection certificate from employer or school
Additional Visa Requirements for Estonian for Minors
Children who are applying for a short-stay visa to Estonia, or guardians (parents) submitting applications for their underage child to acquire a visa, must satisfy the mentioned Estonian Visa Requirements:
- Birth certificate for minors traveling to Estonia.
- Estonia Application signed by parents.
- family court order. Where only one parent has sole custody of the child.
- Notarized copy of parent’s ID/passport
If a minor is traveling alone with another person:
- One original and photocopy of the accompanying passport page with owner details and expiry date, recent photo, copy of valid visa.
- Notarized parental authorization to Estonia signed by parents or legal guardians
Note: If children seeking to apply to the Estonian Embassy/Consulate in their native country must be accompanied by a guardian or parent.
Additional Requirements Depending on Purpose of Entry to Estonia
Depending on the purpose of your entry into Estonia, you will have to submit some additional documents. Below are additional Estonian visa requirements based on the purpose of travel to Estonia.
Documents Required for Schengen Visa for Airport transit to Estonia
When applying for an Estonian airport transit visa, you will need to present the following additional documents:
- A valid visa for the final country you is travel to (if required).
- Air ticket for the final country to travel.
Documents Required for a Transit Schengen Visa to Estonia
The following additional documents must be presented when applying for an Estonian transit visa:
- A valid visa for the country you are traveling to (if required).
- Final country ticket to travel
- The original and a copy of the seaman’s notebook (required only for sailors).
- A letter from the inviting shipping company. Issued by a shipping company that welcomes the Schengen member states where seafarers disembark (required for seafarers only).
- Employment agreement with the navigation corporation in order to embark the ship (obligatory only for seafarers).
Documents Required for the Purpose of Tourist Schengen Visa to Estonia
The following additional documents must be presented when applying for an Estonian tourist visa:
- Bank account statement. Preferably within the last 6 months
- Travel itinerary. A trip description showing which embassies/consulates you plan to enter Estonia, and when you leave, where you will be staying
- Financial evidence of your trip to Estonia.
What Documents you Require for a Schengen Visitor Visa to Estonia?
If you are applying for a visa to visit friends or relatives in Estonia, you will need to submit the following additional documents:
- Proof of financial means. Proof that you have sufficient funds to sustain yourself during your stay in Estonia. This could be a:
- Bank statements, passbooks, personal bank statements, credit card statements, or balances from the last 6 months.
- Sponsor letter. If in case, someone else financially sponsors your trip to Estonia, it is also often referred to as an affidavit of support.
- Travel itinerary. A detailed daily itinerary for your trip in Estonia. This includes information such as entry and departure dates, accommodation, etc.
- Invitation letter. A relative or a friend who lives in Estonia invited you to visit
- Proof of relationship with host residing in Estonia.
Documents Required for Business Schengen Visa to Estonia
In order to apply for an Estonian Business Visa, you must submit additional required documentation as mentioned below. Make sure your application is complete and submit all necessary documents to ensure successful processing.
- An invitation from the Estonian company you intend to visit with its exact address and date of visit
- A letter from your employer. This letter should state your reason for traveling to Estonia.
- Business statement. Preferably within the last 6 months.
- Proof of travel funds. Either the employer or the partner company must indicate in the letter or invitation that the costs will be covered during the applicant’s stay in Estonia.
Documents Required for Schengen Visa to Estonia as a Student
The following additional documents must be presented when applying for a student visa to Estonia:
- A letter of no objection from your current educational institution (if applicable).
- Internship contract. Signed between the original branch Estonian company and the trainees.
- Written Confirmation/Proof of Enrolment. Issued by Estonian educational institutions (universities, academies, institutes, schools).
Documents Required for Schengen Medical Visa to Estonia
When it comes to applying for a visa to get the medical related treatment in Estonia, you will need to provide the below mentioned documents:
- Local medical report. It is issued by a doctor, clinic, or hospital in your native country, assuring you require medical treatment in Estonia.
- A medical certificate from an Estonian hospital or doctor confirming the appointment date and medical condition. You also need to make sure that the hospital can provide certain treatments and you will be admitted accordingly.
- Proof of financial agreement.
- Official treatment/appointment confirmation from the receiving medical institution
Documents required for a Schengen visa to Estonia for cultural, sports, film crew or religious purposes
If you apply for an Estonian visa for the purpose of attending cultural/sporting/religious events in Estonia, you will need to submit the following additional documents:
- Information about the event. That is, invitations, admission tickets, detailed programs of events and other documents.
- Evidence of previous performances. Participation in previous festivals and ceremonies (cultural, religious), winning certificates, sporting competitions, proof of international rankings in sports.
Required Documents for Estonian Schengen Visa for Wife and Husband of Estonian Citizen
If you are applying for an Estonian visa as a spouse of an Estonian native, you will need to submit the following additional documents:
- Proof of Estonian citizenship (ID card or certificate of Estonian citizenship or naturalization order)
- Estonian marriage certificate
- Estonian Family Book.
Required Documents for the Estonia Schengen visa for Members of Official Delegations
When you apply for an Estonian visa as part of an official delegation, following additional documents are required:
- Evidence of the intention of the trip (meetings, any events by intergovernmental bodies etc.)
- Official copy of the invitation.
How you can Apply for Estonian Short-stay Visa?
To complete the Estonian short stay visa application process, you need to follow these steps:
- Find out what type of visa you need for Estonia
- Find out where to submit your Estonian visa application
- Fill out the application form for a short stay visa to Estonia
- Collect Estonia visa requirements
- Arrange a visa interview
- Participate in an interview
- Wait for a reply to your application
Where can I apply for a short stay visa for Estonia?
As per the Estonia visa regulation in your native country, you may need to apply for one of the following:
- Estonian embassy in your native country
- Estonian Consulate
- Visa application centers where Estonia entrusts visa applications
- Embassy of another Schengen country entrusted by Estonia to issue visas
Who is Eligible to Apply for a Schengen visa at the Estonian Embassy/Consulate/VAC?
Take into consideration that, in agreement with the regulations of the shared Schengen travel zone, so as to be able to file your visa application for a brief visit at an Estonian Embassy / Consulate / VAC, one of the following conditions should pertain to you:
Estonia is the only Schengen country you want to visit
You intend to visit more Schengen states, but:
- The number of days spent in Estonia is longer than in other countries
- Spend the same number of days in each country, but enter the Schengen area via Estonia.
Furthermore, you must be either a native or a non-citizen with a temporary pr permanent residence authorization in the country from which you are applying. Otherwise, the Estonian embassy will not process your request.
It is not possible to obtain a short-term Estonian visa from a country in which you are presently on a visa.
How Much Time Duration Does it Takes to Obtain an Estonian Visa?
The processing period for an Estonian short-stay visa could take up to 15 days. Nevertheless, if you’re a non-EU citizen subject to pre-consultation, this timeframe may be extended to 30 days. Extraordinary cases can take up to 60 days.
In order to dodge any delays in the issuance of your Estonian short-stay visa, it is advised to submit your application in good time, not earlier than three months before the date of your journey to Estonia.
How Much is the Cost for Applying an Estonian Visa?
The Estonian Schengen Visa charge is €80 for grown-ups and €40 for kids beneath the age of 12. Nonetheless, there are some categories of candidates excused from paying the charge, and others that need to pay a reduced amount too.
Do check the list of the Estonian Schengen Visa charges to know whether you fall into any of them.
How Long can I Stay in Estonia without a Visa?
The entirety of it depends on your citizenship how much time you can be present in Estonia without a Schengen visa. In the event that you are an EU national, you are allowed to enter and stay in Estonia for any length of time you desire. In any case, if you have plans of staying for a more extended timeframe, you should enlist with the pertinent Estonian authorities.
People from nations that have consented to a visa-exempt understanding with Estonia and the remaining Schengen countries can enter Estonia and remain there for as long as 90 days within a six month of time duration.
On the other side, citizens of countries that have not yet signed visa-free agreements with Estonia and other Schengen countries will need to apply for a visa to Estonia or another Schengen country. You cannot enter without a visa.
Note: It is important that you understand the 90/180 Schengen Visa Regulation. Do not disobey this regulation, not even for a single day, or you could face the repercussions. The penalties for extending your stay are outlined here.
Can you Extend your Schengen Visa in Estonia?
Yes, you can prolong your Estonian Schengen visa at the Police or Border Guard Board, however only in unique scenarios where fresh facts and remarkable reasons come up after entering Estonia, such as humane motives or unavoidable circumstances.
Please refer to How to Extend a Schengen Visa in Estonia to know in which conditions and what conditions you can prolong your Estonian Schengen Visa.
Can your Estonian Visa be Annulled?
Yes, your Estonia visa may be annulled if the pertinent Estonian authorities decide that the criteria for granting the visa are no longer satisfied, for instance, you no longer own a legitimate travel document.
If you are present in Estonia when the ruling on the annulment of your visa is made, you will be presented with a time limit for leaving. If you do not exit Estonia or the Schengen region within this timeframe, you will be regarded as an unlawful inhabitant in Estonia.
It is important to remember that if the visa holder does not present the necessary credentials to the border officer, they could face a decision to invalidate or cancel their visa, although not necessarily.
Please Subscribe Us to get updated with Qatar News, Saudi News, Kuwait News, Health News, UAE News, Iqama, Visa, Jobs, Banking and More.. before the full time