Applying for a visa

30.09.2009

1. Applying for a visa

The application and issuance of a visa in the Estonian foreign representations

Generally the visa applicant must submit his/her visa application to the foreign representation in person.

Visa application may also be submitted through a representative. A representative may be:

1. 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.
2. Couriers of state agencies, administrative or local government agencies or international organisations.
3. 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.

Application for a visa by mail

Application for visa by mail is possible only if there is no Estonian representation in the country where the visa applicant resides.

For details, please contact the representation at which you plan to apply for the visa by mail. ( Estonia's Representations around the world)

Foreign nationals who need an entry visa are requested to apply for it at the nearest Estonian mission. In countries where Estonia does not have a mission, another Schengen country may represent Estonia in visa matters.

1.1. Types of Schengen visa

Airport transit visa (type A) - is issued for entry into the international transit zone at an Estonian airport and for stay therein, and departure for next transit or arrival country to where the person has a legal permit for entry. This visa shall not grant the alien the right to enter or remain in Estonia.

The countries whose citizens need an airport transit visa are listed in the Annex 3 of the Common Consular Instructions.

Transit visa (type B) - entitles aliens who are traveling from one third country to another third country to pass through the territories of Schengen countries. This visa may be issued for one trip or exceptionally several transits provided that the duration in each case does not exceed five days.

Short-term visa (type C) - is issued for single- or multiple-entry stays up to 90 days during a 6-month period in Schengen area.

If a visa applicant wishes to visit only Estonia, the Schengen visa has to be applied for from an Estonian foreign representation. In case when there is no Estonian representation in an applicant's country of permanent residence the visa can be applied for from the nearest Estonian representation. If the nearest Estonian representation is in the Schengen area the visa can be applied for from the representation of the country that represents Estonia in the applicant's country of permanent residence.

If a visa applicant wishes to visit several Schengen member states (incl. Estonia), the visa has to be applied for from the Schengen state's foreign representation that is the state of main destination. In order to determine the state of main destination the visa applicant must know in which Schengen state one plans to spend most time.

If a visa applicant wishes to visit several Schengen member states and is not sure of the state of main destination or plans to spend the equal number of days in each state, the visa must be applied for from the representation of the country through which the person enters the Schengen area.

The Schengen visa and the conditions of entry are valid for the stays of up to 90 days during a 6-month period. For longer stays a long-term visa or a residence permit is required.

1.2. Long-stay (D) visa

A long-stay visa (D) is valid only in Estonia and is issued for short-term employment. Before applying for a visa the short-term employment must be registered at the Estonian Citizenship and Migration Board. An application for registration of short-term employment may be submitted in the following cases:

1. persons engaged in creative activities who work in a performing arts institution;
2. for working as a teacher or lecturer in an educational institution, which complies with requirements established by Estonian law;
3. for working as a scientist if the alien has appropriate professional training or experience;
4. for working as a sportsman, coach, referee or sports official for professional activities on the basis of an invitation from a respective sports federation;
5. for employment as a trainee in order to obtain vocational education intermediated by an educational institution or a student organisation located abroad if this is a part of the relevant training programme;
6. in order to serve in the diplomatic representation of a foreign country with the permission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
7. for working as an au pair;
8. for working as an expert, adviser or consultant providing that the alien has the required professional training;
9. for working as an installer of equipment or a skilled worker providing that the alien has the required professional training
10. for working as a seasonal worker processing agricultural products;
11. on the basis of an international agreement.

For further information on application for registration of short-term employment, please see Citizenship and Migration Board's website.

A long-stay visa may be issued with a period of stay up to six months and with a period of validity up to twelve months.

1.3. Documents to be submitted upon application for visa

The following shall be submitted upon application for visa:

1. a valid travel document which must contain at least two blank pages for visas and be valid at least 3 months after the expiration date of the visa;
2. a filled in and signed application;
3. photo (size 35x45 mm, requirements to a photo);
4. Policy valid in Schengen countries with a coverage of at least 30.000 EUR for the entire duration of stay in Schengen area;
5. documents proving the purpose of the travel;
6. documents in relation to accommodation, flight reservation, or proof of sufficient means of subsistence both for the duration of the intended stay and for the return to your country of origin or residence
7. documents certifying the covering of the accommodation costs and the costs of stay in Estonia;
8. document certifying the payment of state fee or document certifying the exemption from paying state fee;

Signing the visa application

A visa application shall be signed personally by the visa applicant.

• The application of a minor less than 15 years of age or of a person whose active legal capacity is restricted by a court shall be signed by the legal representative.
• A minor of at least 15 years of age may submit and sign a visa application personally.

With their signature the visa applicant confirms the correctness and integrity of data submitted in the visa application.

1.4. State fee for processing the visa application

Bank accounts of the MINISTRY OF FINANCE for collecting state fee are the following:

SEB Bank a/c 10220034796011
BIC: EEUHEE2X
IBAN: EE891010220034796011

Swedbank a/c 221023778606
BIC: HABAEE2X
IBAN: EE932200221023778606

Reference number of the MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:
Review of visa applications - 2900073630