Frequently Asked Questions

NATIONALS OF WHICH COUNTRIES DO NOT NEED VISA TO ENTER INTO ESTONIA?
Travel information to the nationals of foreign countries is available at Foreign Ministry's homepage  http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/node/4039. Please check Travel document requirements accepted by Estonia http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/node/6466
 

• Where can I apply for a visa?
• Visa types. Schengen uniform visa
• Applying for a visa
• The processing charge
• Entry to Estonia
• EU citizens family member
• Refusal, annulment and revocation of a visa

Where can I  apply a visa?

CAN I APPLY FOR A VISA IN THE FOREIGN MINISTRY?

It is not possible to apply for a visa in the Foreign Ministry. A visa application should be submitted to a foreign representation of Estonia abroad or to other Member State representing Estonia.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO APPLY FOR A VISA AT THE BORDER?

Generally, it is not possible to apply for a visa at a border checkpoint. As an exception, a visa may be applied for and issued at a border checkpoint by decision of the Head of the Border Guard Administration http://www.politsei.ee/en/teenused/extension-of-the-period-of-stay-in-estonia/

WHERE DO I NEED TO TURN TO IF I WISH TO APPLY FOR A VISA TO ESTONIA BUT IN THE COUNTRY OF MY RESIDENCE THERE IS NO ESTONIAN FOREIGN MISSION?

In the countries where there is no Estonian representation please turn to the representation of other Schengen Member State in your country of residence who is representing Estonia or contact the closest Representation of Estonia.
For more detailed information please turn to the Representation where you plan to apply for the visa.

CAN EACH REPRESENTATION OF SCHENGEN MEMBER COUNTRY ISSUE A SCHENGEN VISA FOR VISITING ESTONIA?

If you wish to visit only Estonia, a visa should be applied for from Estonian Embassy in the country of your residence. In the countries where there is no Estonian representation please turn to the representation of other Schengen Member State in your country of residence who is representing Estonia.
If a traveller will be visiting several Schengen states (including Estonia) then he/she must apply for a Schengen visa from a representative (i.e. embassy) of the primary country he/she will be travelling to. To determine the primary country, a traveller must know in what Schengen country he/she will stay for the longest time period.
If a traveller will be visiting several Schengen states and does not know where his/her main destination will be, or a traveller plans to stay equal number of days in all the countries that he/she will visit, then he/she must apply for a visa from the embassy of the country through which he/she will enter the Schengen area.

Visa types. Schengen uniform visa

WHAT TYPE OF VISAS YOU HAVE? STUDY VISA? BUSINESS VISA?

There are only three types of visas – a short term uniform visa (type C), an airport transit visa (type A) and a long-stay national visa (type D). There is no purpose bounded visas like business visa, study visa or tourist visa.

If the purpose of entry to the Republic of Estonia is studying, one has to apply and receive residence permit for study http://www.politsei.ee/en/teenused/residence-permit/tahtajaline-elamisluba/oppimiseks/index.dot.

Application for a residence permit for study has to be submitted personally to the Estonian Embassy. List of Estonian representations is http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/taxonomy/term/175

TO WHICH COUNTRIES CAN I TRAVEL ON THE BASIS OF MY UNIFORM SCHENGEN VISA?

AUSTRIA, BELGIUM, CZECH REPUBLIC, DENMARK, ESTONIA, FINLAND, FRANCE, GERMANY, GREECE, HUNGARY, ICELAND, ITALY, LATVIA, LICHTENSTEIN, LITHUANIA, LUXEMBOURG, MALTA, NETHERLANDS, NORWAY, POLAND, PORTUGAL, SLOVAKIA, SLOVENIA, SPAIN, SWEDEN, SWITZERLAND.

HOW LONG BEFORE THE START OF THE INTENDED VISIT CAN I APPLY?

Applications shall be lodged no more than three months before the start of the intended visit.

Holders of a multiple-entry visa may lodge the application for a new visa before the expiry of the visa valid for a period of at least six months.

HOW LONG BEFORE THE START OF THE INTENDED VISIT SHOULD I APPLY?

It is advisable to lodge an application at least 15 calendar days before the intended visit.

However it is also recommended that you lodge your visa application taking into account national holidays of the country of residence and in Estonia. Please note that during holidays the operation of certain consular services may be reduced.

Applying for a visa?

DO I NEED A VISA INVITATION?

Estonia has waived a visa invitation requirement. The waiving of the visa invitation means that those applying for visas no longer need to present an invitation approved by the Citizenship and Migration Bureau or other form of invitation. Other supporting documents will be sufficient to prove the purpose of travel.

All other requirements for visa application will remain as before.

The consul reserves the right to ask the visa applicant or relevant individual to present oral or written explanations of the need for a visa.

DO I NEED AN APPOINTMENT FOR SUBMITTING MY APPLICATION?

Applicants may be required to obtain an appointment for the lodging of an application. For more detailed information please turn to the Representation where you plan to apply for the visa http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/estonian_representations

I AM APPLYING FOR A SCHENGEN VISA FOR THE FIRST TIME AND I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT MY FRIEND IN ESTONIA. WHAT DOCUMENTS MUST I PRESENT?

The most important thing is to present your travel plans honestly and clearly and fill in the visa application form correctly with your contact information and primary address of residence in Estonia. The requirement to present documents that prove the existence of sufficient means to cover return travel and accommodation will remain the same. It is also useful for the applicant to indicate his or her connection to Estonia.

WHAT DOCUMENTS I HAVE TO SUBMIT UPON APPLICATION FOR VISA?

1. 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;

2. 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;

3. photo (size 35x45 mm, requirements to a photo);
    
4. Insurance policy valid in Schengen countries with a coverage of at least 30.000 EUR for the entire duration of stay in Schengen area;

5. 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 (55,6 EUR / 870 EEK for each day in Estonia);
   • information which enables to assess your intention to leave Schengen area before the expiry of the visa.
    
6. visa fee

WHAT ARE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS THAT PROVE THE PURPOSE OF TRAVEL, THE EXISTENCE OF ACCOMMODATION, AND SUFFICIENT MEANS TO COVER THE DURATION OF THE STAY IN ESTONIA AS WELL AS DEPARTURE?

This list of supporting documents is non-exhaustive and provides examples of possible supporting documents.

Supporting documents that prove the purpose of travel, means of transportation and return, means of subsistence and existence of accommodation Tourism or personal travel:

Business travel:

• written confirmation from the company organizing the meeting, conference, etc.
• documents that prove the existence of business ties
• invitations/tickets to a fair or seminar
• documents that certify the applicant’s connection to or status in a company

Tourism or personal travel:

• documents confirming accommodation (hotel reservation, a letter or email that confirms that the host will provide accommodation for the visa applicant)
• travel package
• copies of travel tickets

Documents that certify the applicant’s intention to leave the Schengen are upon the expiration of the visa:

• return tickets
• documents that confirm sufficient means of subsistence
• proof of employment
• proof of real estate in the country of residence
• proof of ties with the country of residence (family ties, professional status)

Documents that prove relationship to host

• Documents stating marital or family status (marriage certificate, birth certificate)
• Letter/e-mail written by the host

For more detailed information please turn to the Representation where you plan to apply for the visa http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/estonian_representations

DO I HAVE TO GO THROUGH AN INTERVIEW AT THE CONSULATE?

Please note that during the examination of an application the consulate may call the applicant for an interview.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE CONSULATE TO DECIDE ON MY APPLICATION?

Applications shall be decided on within 15 calendar days of the date of the lodging of an application which is admissible.

That period may be extended up to a maximum of 30 calendar days in individual cases, notably when further scrutiny of the application is needed.

Exceptionally, when additional documentation is needed in specific cases, the period may be extended up to a maximum of 60 calendar days.

The processing charge

HOW MUCH DOES A SCHENGEN VISA COST?

Schengen visa costs 60 EUR.  Children from the age of six years and below the age of 12 years shall pay a visa fee of EUR 35. Please note that EU has concluded several visa facilitation agreements which provide that the visa fee to the nationals of these countries is 35 EUR.  There are visa facilitation agreements with Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and Russia, Serbia Ukraine http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/taxonomy/term/161

APPLICANTS EXEMPTED FROM VISA FEE

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

Entry to Estonia

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO I HAVE TO TAKE WITH ME WHEN I TRAVEL ON A SCHENGEN VISA?

Mere possession of a Schengen visa does not mean that the holder has an automatic right to enter the Schengen Area (i.e. the territory of the countries that issue Schengen visa).

At the external border, the visa holder may be requested to produce a travel insurance, documents justifying the purpose and conditions of the intended stay and that they have sufficient means of subsistence, both for the period of the intended stay and for the return to their country of origin or transit to a third state into which they are certain to be admitted, or are in a position to acquire such means lawfully.

DOES A THIRD-COUNTRY NATIONAL HOLDING A PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT IN ESTONIA NEED TO APPLY FOR A VISA IN ORDER TO TRAVEL TO SOME OTHER SCHENGEN COUNTRY?

Estonian residence permit entitles an individual with the right to travel in all Schengen member states.

EU citizens family member

WHAT RULES APPLY IF MY FAMILY MEMBERS ARE EU CITIZENS?

EU citizens family members, irrespective of their nationality, have the right to accompany or join EU citizens in a Member State other than that of EU citizens nationality.

Important is that they should arrive in Estonia either accompanying the said person or to the said person.

The following persons are EU citizens  family members, as defined by the Directive:

• spouse
• direct descendants (i.e. children, grand-children) who are under the age of 21 or are dependants and those of your spouse or registered partner;
• dependent direct relatives in the ascending line (i.e. parents, grand-parents) and those of your spouse or registered partner.

The above family members enjoy the rights granted by the Directive when they join or accompany an EU citizen. EU citizens family member apply for entry visa to Schengen under simplified conditions and they do not have to pay any charge for a visa application.

If you think you qualify for visa facilitation you will need to show proof that you meet these criteria when you submit your visa application.

Refusal, annulment and revocation of a visa

In case the conditions for granting a visa are not fulfilled, the visa is refused. The refusal to issue an entry visa is notified to the applicant in writing.

A visa may be refused on certain grounds mentioned in the Visa Code, such as:

• the applicant does not have an approved, valid travel document;
• the applicant is unable to provide proof of the reason and preconditions of the stay;
• the applicant does not provide proof of sufficient means of subsistence;
• the applicant is not entitled to return to the country of origin or to continue to a third country;
• there are reasonable doubts as to the applicant’s intention to leave the territory of the Member State before the expiry of the visa applied for.

The applicant may have an entry ban to Estonia or to some other Schengen country or be considered to be a threat to public policy, internal security of international relations of a Member State. An issued visa is annulled if it becomes evident that the conditions for issuing it were not met at the time when it was issued. A visa is revoked, if it becomes evident that the conditions for issuing it are no longer met.

As of 05.04.2011 a foreign citizen has the right to appeal the decision on refusal, annulment or revocation of a visa. The refused visa applicant or a visa holder whose visa has been annulled or revoked can turn to the relevant representation by submitting a written application within 30 days http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/node/6467#1.4