Visa Regulations

03.01.2006

Nationals of the EU or the EEA member states, or Switzerland do not require visas to enter Estonia. Required travel documents are personal ID cards or passports.
The visits of nationals of the EU or EEA member states, or Switzerland are regulated by the Citizen of European Union Act (The text is available on the homepage of Estonian Legal Language Centre).

A visa is a permit granted to an alien, allowing the visa holder to enter Estonia through a border checkpoint open for international travel and to stay in Estonia for the duration indicated on the visa, unless otherwise provided for by law.

Visa requirements

Adequate visa information is available on the homepage of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nationals of the countries listed in the section "Who do not need a visa to visit Estonia" may visit Estonia without a visa.

Nationals of the countries NOT LISTED in the mentioned section REQUIRE A VISA to enter Estonia.

NOTE: The possession of a visa is only one of the prerequisites for entry into Estonian territory. The prerequisites for entry will be checked again upon entry into Estonian territory. The mere fact that a visa has been granted does not mean that the person will be entitled to compensation if entry is refused due to the failure of complying with relevant provisions.

The following types of visas shall be issued as of 1 May 2004:

1. Airport transit visa (type A) – given for entry into the international transit zone at an Estonian airport and for the stay therein allowing for the departure to the next transit country or arrival country, where the person has a legal basis to enter. This visa shall not grant the alien the right to enter Estonia or stay in Estonia.
   
   
2. Transit visa (type B) – given for single- or dual-entry transit journey through Estonia to the next transit country or arrival country, where the person has a legal basis to enter. The transit visa may also be given for multiple journeys when necessary for the completion of professional or employment duties.
   
   
3. Short-term visa (type C) – given for single- or multiple-entry and stay in Estonia. Short-term visas may vary by validity of the visa:

• single-entry and stay in Estonia – validity of the visa up to 6 months;
• multiple–entry and stay in Estonia – validity of the visa up to 5 years.
  And secondly by duration of the stay:
  
  
• Single-entry and stay in Estonia – up to 90 days;
• Multiple-entry and stay in Estonia – up to 90 days in a six-month period (counted as of the date of the first registered entry in Estonia);

4. Long-term visa (type D) - given for single- or multiple–entry and stay in Estonia (e.g. for accredited journalists representing foreign mass media, Estonian Honorary Consuls, persons who have registered their short term employment before applying for visa, also their family members (spouse, minors and dependant adult children).

Document requirements when applying for visa:

1. A valid travel document - it must contain at least two blank pages for visas and be valid for at least 3 months after the end of the validity of the visa
   
   
2. A completed visa application
   
   
3. A coloured photograph (sized 40 x 50 mm; It should be possible to ascertain the identity of the person)
   
   
4. A health insurance policy valid in Estonia (with a coverage of at least 160 000 EEK for the entire duration of the stay in Estonia)
   
   
5. Documents confirming the purpose and cause of the visit (visa invitation or letter of invitation from an international organisation, a voucher from a registered tourist/travel agency, a document entitling entry to the country of arrival, a document proving employment in Estonia, transport tickets, or other similar documents)
   
   
6. While staying in Estonia, visa visitors must prove that they have adequate financial means equal to one fifth of the minimum monthly wage - currently 600 EEK (38 €) (the minimum monthly wage is 3000 EEK (192 €) as determined by the Government of Estonia as of 1 January 2006) - for every day that they plan to stay in Estonia.
   
   
7. Documents confirming that accommodation and other expenses will be covered when staying in Estonia
   
   
8. A receipt proving the payment of state fees.

State fees for processing visa applications:

Applying for a visa

Aliens shall apply for a visa at the foreign representations of the Republic of Estonia. Foreign representations processing visa applications are embassies or consulates where a consular officer is in duty.
Those wishing to apply for an entry visa, please contact the nearest Estonian representation.

Visa application forms are available in the listed Estonian representations or in pdf-format on the homepage of the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Processing visa applications
The consular officer is authorised to process and render a decision regarding the issuance or refusal of a visa. The visa application will be viewed in 30 days from the day the visa application was received.
Visa refusals will not be substantiated.

Applying for a visa by mail or through a representative
Aliens may also apply for a visa by mail provided that there is no Estonian Embassy in his or her country of permanent residence. Visa applications may also be submitted to the Estonian foreign representation through a representative.
Visa applications by mail or through representatives should be sent to the nearest Estonian representation.
It should be noted that the applicant is obliged to appear personally in the representation if requested by the consular officer. A personal appearance may be necessary to provide explanations on material circumstances or as additional identification before a decision is made on the issuance of a visa.

Applying 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. But these exceptional cases are treated individually on the basis of the Aliens Act, and the decision on issuing or refusing a visa is made by the Minister of Internal Affairs, or by a specially designated official.

Visa Invitation
Information on visa invitation is available on the homepage of the Estonian Citizenship and Migration Board http://www.mig.ee/eng/visa_invitation/invitation/.

Extension of the stay
Generally the duration of the stay in Estonia is limited to the stay specified by the visa.
In exceptional cases, the duration of the stay in Estonia may be extended. The relevant information is available on the homepage of the Estonian Citizenship and Migration Board http://www.mig.ee/eng/visa_invitation/extension/.