Visa Types
Estonia Permanent Residency Guide
How you can immigrate to Estonia, how to protect yourself from Fraud and What to expect after you arrive in Estonia.
Key Points for Estonia PR Visa >>>
Do you need a visa to travel to Estonia?
To visit Estonia, Indians will need a Schengen visa.
Estonia visa application is made online or offline?
You can fill out the visa application form online, print it, and then submit it to the Visa Application Centre in India.
Do I need to give biometrics?
Yes, biometrics are required to obtain a visa.
Is there an interview required to obtain a visa?
No, an interview is not usually required to obtain an Estonia visa, but it may vary. The embassy may interview you by phone or in person.
What is the maximum length of stay permitted on a PR visa?
You can live indefinitely on a permanent resident (PR) visa.
What kind of visa will we acquire from Estonia?
It will be a physical sticker visa, which will be affixed to a page in your passport.
Current Visa fees: (Updated on 16-10-2023)
|
Visa Type |
Visa Fee in Euro |
|
Long-term visa (D) |
100 € |
|
Long-term visa (D) children 6-11 years |
40 € |
To obtain more information about fee, please click here
Step-by-step guide
Let us walk you through the process
- Make sure to apply for permanent residence at least two months before your temporary residence permit expires. This ensures you have sufficient time for the application process to be completed.
- Locate and visit the service offices of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB). These offices are the designated authorities responsible for processing permanent residence applications.
- Prepare all the necessary documents required for your permanent residence application. These documents may include: Valid passport (with remaining validity), Temporary residence permit proof, Documents confirming legal stay in Estonia, Health insurance coverage documentation, Proof of adequate financial means, Any additional PBGB-required documents.
- Personally submit your permanent residence application at the service offices of the PBGB. Ensure that all required documents are complete and accurate.
- Your application will undergo processing by the authorities at the PBGB. The processing time can vary, so it's important to be patient during this period.
- Once a decision is reached regarding your application, you will receive a notification of the outcome. This communication will inform you whether your application for permanent residence has been approved or not.
- If your application is approved, you may be issued a permanent residence card. This card serves as official proof of your permanent residence status in Estonia. Make sure to collect this card as per the instructions provided to you.
DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
When applying for Permanent Residency in Estonia, you will generally need to provide a comprehensive set of documents to support your application. The following checklist covers the most common documents needed:
- Application Form: Complete and signed application form for permanent residency.
- Passport: A valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
- Passport Photos: Recent passport-sized photographs meeting the Estonian specifications.
- Proof of Legal Residency: Document showing your legal basis for residing in Estonia, such as a long-term residence permit or temporary residence permit.
- Proof of Accommodation: Documents demonstrating your place of residence in Estonia, such as a rental agreement or property ownership documents.
- Health Insurance: Proof of valid health insurance coverage in Estonia.
- Proof of Sufficient Financial Means: Documentation demonstrating that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family members during your stay in Estonia.
- Employment or Income Documents: If applicable, evidence of your employment or income in Estonia.
- Language Proficiency: Depending on the type of permanent residency you're applying for, you may need to demonstrate proficiency in the Estonian language. This could involve language test certificates.
- Criminal Record Certificate: A criminal record certificate from your home country or any other country where you have resided in the past few years.
- Marriage or Birth Certificates: If applicable, documents to prove family relationships, such as marriage certificates, birth certificates of children, etc.
- Education and Qualification Documents: Relevant educational and qualification documents, especially if these are a part of the criteria for permanent residency.
- Application Fee: Payment receipt or proof of payment for the permanent residency application fee.
- Additional Documentation: Any additional documents as required by the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board or other relevant authorities.
General Permanent Residency:
- Valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
- Passport-sized photographs meeting Estonian specifications.
- Proof of legal residence in Estonia for the required period under a temporary residence permit.
- Employment records or evidence of stable income.
- Health insurance coverage documents.
- Proof of language proficiency (if required).
- Documents demonstrating sufficient financial means to support yourself and your family.
- Any documents supporting your residency history and compliance with requirements.
- Completed application form.
- Application fee payment receipt.
- Any additional documents requested by the Estonian authorities.
Permanent Residency for EU Blue Card Holders:
- Valid EU Blue Card issued in Estonia.
- Proof of legal residence in Estonia under the EU Blue Card for the required period.
- Valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Proof of meeting the required minimum income threshold.
- Proof of high-level qualifications (educational and professional).
- Health insurance coverage documents.
- Completed application form.
- Application fee payment receipt.
- Any additional documents required by the Estonian authorities.
Permanent Residency for Spouses of Estonian Citizens or Permanent Residents:
- Valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Proof of legal residence in Estonia as a spouse.
- Marriage certificate or proof of relationship.
- Health insurance coverage documents.
- Completed application form.
- Application fee payment receipt.
- Any additional documents required by the Estonian authorities.
Permanent Residency for Investors:
- Valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Proof of substantial financial investment in Estonia (e.g., company ownership, real estate).
- Proof of legal residence in Estonia.
- Health insurance coverage documents.
- Completed application form.
- Application fee payment receipt.
- Any additional documents required by the Estonian authorities.
Permanent Residency for Persons of Estonian Ancestry:
- Valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Documentation proving Estonian ancestry.
- Evidence of a connection to Estonian culture and language.
- Proof of legal residence in Estonia.
- Health insurance coverage documents.
- Completed application form.
- Application fee payment receipt.
- Any additional documents required by the Estonian authorities.
Permanent Residency for Long-Term Residents of Other EU Member States:
- Valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Proof of Long-Term Resident EU status acquired in another EU member state.
- Proof of legal residence in another EU member state.
- Proof of intended residence in Estonia.
- Health insurance coverage documents.
- Completed application form.
- Application fee payment receipt.
- Any additional documents required by the Estonian authorities.
Permanent Residency for Special Talents and Achievements:
- Valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Evidence of exceptional talents, achievements, or contributions.
- Proof of legal residence in Estonia.
- Health insurance coverage documents.
- Completed application form.
- Application fee payment receipt.
- Any additional documents required by the Estonian authorities.
Permanent Residency for Refugees and Persons in Need of International Protection:
- Valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Proof of refugee status or international protection granted in Estonia.
- Proof of legal residence in Estonia.
- Health insurance coverage documents.
- Completed application form.
- Application fee payment receipt.
- Any additional documents required by the Estonian authorities.
Permanent Residency for Highly Skilled Workers and Researchers:
- Valid passport with at least six months of validity remaining.
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Proof of specialized skills or qualifications.
- Proof of legal residence in Estonia.
- Employment records or evidence of research activities.
- Health insurance coverage documents.
- Completed application form.
- Application fee payment receipt.
Any additional documents required by the Estonian authorities.
Please note that the document requirements and application procedures for permanent residency can change over time. It's essential to consult the official Estonian authorities or seek advice from immigration experts for the most up-to-date and accurate information before applying for permanent residency in Estonia.
VISA APPLICATION FORMS
Before submitting your visa application, please ensure to review the list of required documents. The guidelines provided on this website will assist you in preparing your documents accurately. By following these guidelines, you can minimize the risk of your visa application being rejected due to incorrect or insufficient documents.
Estonia Visa Application Form
Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) Application Form
Family and Relatives Data Application Form
VISA APPLICATION GUIDELINES:
The process for applying for a Estonia Permanent Residence typically involves the following steps:
- Temporary Residency: In many cases, obtaining permanent residency in Estonia requires first obtaining temporary residency. This could be through various categories like work, business, family, studies, or investment. You'll need to fulfill the requirements for the specific temporary residency category.
- Eligibility Criteria: After living in Estonia on a temporary residency permit for a certain period (usually 5 years), you might become eligible to apply for permanent residency. During this time, you should have abided by the laws, fulfilled your residency requirements, and not have any criminal records.
- Application Preparation: Collect all necessary documents to support your application for permanent residency. These typically include: Valid passport with relevant copies, Proof of legal residency during stay, Enough funds proof for you and dependents, Health insurance, Police clearance or good conduct proof etc.
- Application Submission: Submit your application for permanent residency to the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB). Be sure to complete all forms accurately and provide all required documents.
- Processing and Decision: The PBGB will review your application and make a decision based on the provided information. The processing time can vary, so be prepared for potential wait times.
- Notification and Collection: If your application is approved, you'll be notified about the decision. You might need to visit the PBGB in person to finalize the process and receive your permanent residency card.
- Renewal and Fulfilling Conditions: Some permanent residency permits might come with conditions, such as maintaining your legal residency and not leaving Estonia for extended periods. It's essential to understand and fulfill these conditions to maintain your permanent residency status.
- Naturalization for Citizenship: After several years of holding permanent residency (usually 8 years), you might become eligible to apply for Estonian citizenship through naturalization, if you meet the requirements. This is an optional step and not necessary if you're content with permanent residency.
Note: It's recommended to visit the official website of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB) or the Estonian embassy/consulate for the most accurate and up-to-date information on applying for permanent residency in Estonia.
- General Permanent Residency: This category is for individuals who have lived in Estonia for a specific period and meet the general criteria for permanent residency. The required duration of legal residence can vary based on the individual's circumstances, such as work, family, or other factors. Applicants need to meet certain integration requirements and demonstrate their commitment to living in Estonia long-term.
- Permanent Residency for EU Blue Card Holders: EU Blue Card holders are non-EU citizens with high qualifications working in Estonia. They can apply for permanent residency after fulfilling certain conditions, including maintaining legal residence and meeting integration requirements. The EU Blue Card is usually held for a specified period before eligibility for permanent residency.
- Permanent Residency for Spouses of Estonian Citizens or Permanent Residents: Spouses of Estonian citizens or individuals with permanent residency in Estonia can apply for permanent residency after meeting specific criteria. These criteria often include maintaining legal residence, integration, and demonstrating a stable connection to the country through family ties.
- Permanent Residency for Investors: This category is for individuals who have significantly contributed to the Estonian economy, such as through investments in businesses, job creation, or other economic activities. Applicants need to fulfill certain investment criteria and provide evidence of their economic impact on Estonia.
- Permanent Residency for Persons of Estonian Ancestry: Individuals with Estonian ancestry who have maintained a connection to Estonia can apply for permanent residency. Specific criteria are set to determine eligibility, and applicants typically need to prove their Estonian ancestry and cultural ties.
- Permanent Residency for Long-Term Residents of Other EU Member States: Individuals who have been long-term residents of another EU member state and have legally resided in Estonia for a certain period can apply for permanent residency. Integration requirements and legal residence are usually key factors.
- Permanent Residency for Special Talents and Achievements: This category is for individuals who have outstanding talents, skills, or achievements in fields like culture, arts, sports, or science. Eligibility is based on demonstrating exceptional contributions to Estonia, and applicants may need to fulfill specific criteria set for their field of achievement.
- Permanent Residency for Refugees and Persons in Need of International Protection: Individuals who have been granted refugee status or international protection in Estonia can apply for permanent residency after meeting specific requirements, including maintaining legal residence and contributing to the local community.
- Permanent Residency for Highly Skilled Workers and Researchers: This category is for highly skilled workers and researchers, often including EU Blue Card holders, who can apply for permanent residency based on their valuable contributions to Estonia's economy and society. Meeting legal residence and integration requirements is essential.
Note: Each category has its own set of eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and application process. If you're considering applying for permanent residency in Estonia, It's recommended to visit the official website of the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB) or the Estonian embassy/consulate for the most accurate and up-to-date information on applying for permanent residency in Estonia.