Estonia Visa

Traveling to Estonia

The small Baltic state of Estonia is increasingly known as an innovative destination for entrepreneurs and business investors. Tallinn, its capital, hosts an exploding technology sector against a backdrop of colorful historic architecture.

You may need a visa to travel to Estonia, depending on where you are from (nationality), the length of your trip (duration of stay), and your reason for travel (type of visa needed).

There are numerous types of visas for Estonia, which are valid for travel for specific purposes and times. Different Estonia visas have different Estonia visa requirements and validity periods. In general, Estonia visas can be divided into two main categories: short stay visas and long stay visas (a long stay visa for Estonia is required for those looking to spend more than 90 days in the country). Another main distinction relates to allowed entries: a single entry will allow you just one entry into the country; a multiple entry visa for Estonia will let you enter and exit as many times as needed.

Estonia visa types

Schengen Visas

Business (Estonia Schengen Business visa)
Cultural
Medical
Official Visit
Other
Sports
Study (Estonia Schengen Student)
Tourism (Estonia Tourist visa)
Visiting Family or Friends

Transit Visa (Type A)

Estonia Transit visa

Short Term Visas (Type C)

Long Term Visas (Type D, National)

A long stay visa for Estonia will allow you to stay in the country for up to one year. Long term visas are available for the following purposes:

Business (known alternatively as the Estonia Working visa)
Medical Reasons
Other (for example, a long-term Estonia tourist visa)
Remote Working

Short term employment
Start Up Entrepreneurship (sometimes called Visa Talent Estonia)
Study (Estonia Student visa)
Visiting Family or Friends

Estonia visa requirements

The following documents are typically required for all visas to Estonia.

Passport

Official, government-issued document, not older than 10 years, with the correct validity length (a minimum three months past the intended day of exit from Estonia)

Visa fee

Your Estonia visa fee will depend on the type of visa you are applying for, and possibly other factors, such as your age. Schengen visa fees are traditional €80; the fee for an adult long term visa is €100.

Personal photos

Two recently taken photos of the applicant. Photos should be passport style (and have passport dimensions). You will likely upload these photos electronically; alternatively, you will be asked to submit physical copies

Additional documents:

You will almost certainly have to submit additional documents on your Estonia visa application. Requested documents are typically those which help visa authorities confirm your identity, determine the truthfulness of your stated purpose of travel, and assess your financial state. The type of Estonia visa you apply for will determine your supplemental documents, which may include the following:

Biographical documents

Identity documents, such as your birth certificate

Financial materials

Documents showing your finances, such as your bank balance

Accommodation

Information about where you will stay in Estonia

Educational materials

Proof of university education, etc.

Proof of medical insurance

Please note that all documents must likely be written in Estonian, Russian, or English (or be accompanied by official translations).

Estonia visa application

Applicants for Estonia visas should follow these general steps, which may vary slightly depending on numerous factors, including visa type and application destination.

Prepare your visa application
Choose your visa duration
Determine how long you intend to be in Estonia i.e. what type of Estonia visa you need: long, short, or airport. This will determine how you proceed with the subsequent application steps.
Select your Estonia visa purpose
Choose your reason for travel (education, business, etc.)
Select your entry category
Your selection of the single-entry visa for Estonia or the multiple entry visa for Estonia will determine whether or not you may travel in and out of the country/Schengen area throughout your visa period. Consider that holders of the single-entry visa for Estonia cannot return to the country after exiting.
Determine where to apply
Find your physical application destination (place where you will submit your visa application). This is typically the Estonian Embassy/Consulate or associated visa-application center where you live. For more information, see “where to apply.”
Fill out your visa application
Access your main application form
Access the online application form, and choose either the Schengen visa application form or the long-term visa application form. If you are unable to access the online form, you will likely be able to apply directly through your local Estonian mission. Regardless of how you access the application, you will typically need to officially apply through application destination.
Gather the rest of your documents
Gather your required documents as well as the supplemental ones required for your specific Estonia visa type.
Schedule your visa interview
Almost all Estonia visa applicants, even those who apply online, must attend a visa appointment at their application destination. Scheduling a Estonia visa interview can take days, weeks, or even months—you should reach out to your local Estonian embassy/consulate/visa application center directly (via email/phone) to make an appointment.
Attend your visa interview
This is where you will submit a printout copy of your online application, give your biometric information, be interviewed, pay your Estonian visa fees, and meet other requirements pertaining to your visa type. This is typically the final stage of the Estonia visa application process; you will either be granted a visa upon the conclusion of your appointment, receive a rejection, or leave to await a decision.

Please note that certain visas may require subsequent steps (for example, if you are applying for a long term business visa you may need to apply for an Estonia Work Permit—other long term visas may require you to apply for a residence permit for Estonia. For more information about whether your visa application will subsequently require you to seek an Estonia Work Permit or a residence permit for Estonia, make sure to research the specific visa requirements for your specific visa type.

Where to apply for Estonia visa

Estonia visa application processing occurs at Estonian embassies and consulates (and their associated visa application centers) around the world.

Applicants for both short term Schengen visas and long term national visas can access the online application. Applicants should access either the Schengen visa form or long term visa form and bring it to their local Estonian embassy/consulate/visa application center, where they will fulfill the rest of their in-person application requirements.

If there is no Estonian mission in your country, you will likely apply for your Estonian visa through the embassy/consulate of another country, which is representing Estonian interests abroad. For example, Estonian visa seekers in Indonesia are directed to apply through the Finnish Embassy in Jakarta.

When to apply for a Estonia Visa

Applicants for short-stay visas to Estonia are advised to submit their application a minimum of fourteen days before their intended trip. And while applying well in advance is recommended, applying too early (i.e. over six months before departure) is discouraged.