Estonian citizenship
Application for Estonian citizenship
Terms
Any alien who wishes to acquire Estonian citizenship by naturalization has to comply with the conditions, and follow the requirements, provided for by the Citizenship Act.
Any alien can submit an application for the acquisition of Estonian citizenship by naturalization if:
· he or she has settled in Estonia before July 1, 1990 and resides permanently in Estonia during the time of the submission of an application for Estonian citizenship or
· has stayed permanently in Estonia on the basis of a permanent residence permit for at least five years prior to the date on which he or she submits an application for Estonian citizenship.
If one of those preconditions is fulfilled an alien who wishes to acquire Estonian citizenship has to:
· be at least 15 years of age;
· have general knowledge of Estonian needed in everyday life;
· have knowledge of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia and the Citizenship Act;
· have a permanent legal income which ensures his or her own subsistence and that of his or her dependants;
· be loyal to the Estonian state;
· take an oath: "Taotledes Eesti kodakondsust, tõotan olla ustav Eesti põhiseaduslikule korrale" [In applying for Estonian citizenship, I swear to be loyal to the constitutional order of Estonia.]
In order to apply for Estonian citizenship you have to pass an exam on your knowledge of the Constitution and the Citizenship Act of the Republic of Estonia, as well as an exam on your knowledge of the Estonian language.
Exams are organized by the National Examination and Qualification Centre. The application for taking the examination should be submitted to the National Examination and Qualification Centre at the following address: Sakala 21, Tallinn. The following persons are exempted from passing the examination:
· adults divested of active legal capacity;
· persons with severe or serious physical disabilities who are not able to pass an examination due to their state of health;
· persons with a moderate disability who are not able to take exams due to a visual disorder, or learing or talking disability.
Such a person has to add to his or her application a certificate of medical assessment proving the existence of the disability and a note from a doctor to confirm his or her disability to pass such an examination.
If you have acquired the basic, secondary or higher education in Estonian you are exempt from the Estonian language exam.
Documents
In order to acquire Estonian citizenship by naturalization, a person has to submit this application:
In addition to the application, the person has to submit the following:
· identity and citizenship documents;
· a curriculum vitae , which sets out the applicant's career, the time and the circumstances under which he or she settled in Estonia, any persons who arrived in Estonia together with the applicant, the applicant's marital status and any changes therein during his or her residence in Estonia, all previous residences in Estonia, information concerning immediate family, and also any ties with foreign military, intelligence or security organizations;
· documents certifying his or her education and career;
· document certifying permanent legal income;
· a certificate of his or her knowledge of the Estonian language or documents certifying that he or she has acquired basic, secondary or higher education in Estonian;
· a certificate of his or her knowledge of the Constitution of the Republic of Estonia and the Citizenship Act;
· photograph sized 40x50 mm;
· a receipt concerning payment of the state fee.
If a person between the age of 15 - 18 applies for Estonian citizenship by naturalization, the written consent of his or her parent, guardian or a guardianship authority has to be submitted in addition to the above-mentioned documents and two photographs.
Process
When all the necessary documents have been submitted, a regional department of the Citizenship and Migration Board will register an application for the acquisition of Estonian citizenship and issue the person a certificate concerning the registration of his or her application. The decision on whether to start the processing of an application will be made within a month from the date of registering the application.
NOTE! Within a month after a period of 6 months has elapsed from the date of registering your application you have to go to the regional department which registered your application to:
· submit a certificate proving that you have been released from your previous citizenship or that you will be released there from in connection with the acquisition of Estonian citizenship (if you were a citizen of a foreign country);
· give written confirmation that you continue to want to acquire Estonian citizenship and that you comply with the conditions provided for in the Citizenship Act.
If you fail to submit the above-mentioned certificate and confirmation within the established term, i.e. within a period of one month, the processing of your application will be terminated and you will be notified thereof in writing.
If all above-mentioned conditions are complied with the Citizenship and Migration Board will submit your documents to the Government of the Republic within three months for a decision to be taken on the granting of Estonian citizenship.
After the Government of the Republic has made the decision to grant Estonian citizenship the Citizenship and Migration Board will issue a certificate of citizenship to you. On the basis of a certificate of citizenship you can apply for an Estonian passport.
Application for Estonian citizenship for a minor under 15 years of age
Terms
The following persons may submit an application for Estonian citizenship on behalf of a minor (under 15 years of age):
· his or her parents who are Estonian citizens;
· a parent who is an Estonian citizen on the basis of a notarized agreement of the parent who is not an Estonian citizen;
· a single or adoptive parent who raises the minor alone and is an Estonian citizen;
· a guardianship authority or a guardian who is an Estonian citizen if the parents of a minor under 15 years of age are dead, declared as missing or divested of active legal capacity; or if the parents have been deprived of their parental rights;
· a parent who wishes to acquire Estonian citizenship by naturalization. He or she can, together with his or her application, also make an application for Estonian citizenship for his or her child;
· parents who are not citizens of any country (since July 12, 1999).
Parents who are aliens can apply for Estonian citizenship on behalf of their child only if the child was born in Estonia after February 26, 1992 and who is not, nor has been, a citizen of any other country. Parents must have been residing in Estonia legally (on the basis of residence permit) for at least five years.
A parent is deemed to be a single parent if:
· no entry is made concerning the other parent in the birth registration of the child or an entry is made on the basis of a statement by the parent;
· the other parent is deprived of his or her parental rights;
· the other parent is declared to be a fugitive pursuant to the procedure established by law and he or she has been a fugitive for one year;
· the other parent is divested of active legal capacity or declared missing;
· the other parent is dead, or the parents are divorced and the child has remained with the parent residing in Estonia provided that the other parent does not live in Estonia and has lost contact with the child and the parent raising the child.
Documents
Documents to be submitted for minors in applying for acquisition of Estonian citizenship by naturalization are:
An application for Estonian citizenship written in Estonian which sets out the following: the minor's first name, surname, and date and place of birth; the first names, surnames, and dates and places of birth of the minor's parents, adoptive parent or guardian, or the name of the guardianship authority; the residence of the minor and his or her parents, adoptive parent or guardian, or the location of the guardianship authority; the citizenship of the minor and his or her parents, adoptive parent or guardian.
The following must be added to an application:
· photograph of the minor (40x50 mm);
· the minor's birth certificate or identity document with residence permit;
· identity documents (with residence permits if not Estonian citizens) of the parents.
· Additional documents, which must be submitted if necessary:
If your child is a citizen of another country you can still apply for Estonian citizenship by naturalization for him or her. In this case you have to submit a certificate that proves that the minor will be released from the citizenship of another state in connection with the acquisition of Estonian citizenship.
The parents or the adoptive parents of a child who has been born after February 26, 1992 and who are not citizens of any country have to submit a certificate proving that they are not deemed citizens of any country on the basis of any Act in force.
If the parent or single parent or adoptive parent has not been born in Estonia, he or she has to add a certificate issued by a competent authority of the country of origin of a parent or an adoptive parent proving that the country that issued the certificate has not deemed nor is deeming its holder a citizen of that country; or
A notarized agreement with the parent who is not an Estonian citizen.
A document certifying that a parent, who applies for Estonian citizenship for his or her child, is raising the child alone.
Process
If both parents with undefined citizenship apply for Estonian citizenship for their child and one of the parents cannot, or does not want to, come personally to the Citizenship and Migration Board to submit an application, the consent of this parent with the application for Estonian citizenship for his or her child and copies of personal data and the residence permit pages from his or her travel document, both confirmed by a notary, have to be appended to the application.
Within three months after the registration of a standard application for the grant of Estonian citizenship to a minor under 15 years of age, the Citizenship and Migration Board shall submit the application together with additional documents to the Government of the Republic for a decision to be taken on the granting of Estonian citizenship.
After the Government of the Republic has made the decision to grant Estonian citizenship to your child the Citizenship and Migration Board will issue a certificate of citizenship, which will be handed over to you by a regional department of the Citizenship and Migration Board. On the basis of the certificate of citizenship you can apply for an Estonian passport for your child.
The id card
The ID card is a document for domestic use and is mandatory for all Estonian citizens over 15 years of age and permanent resident aliens. The card is issued by the Citizenship and Migration Board.
The ID card contains the holder's surname, given names, sex, citizenship, date of birth, place of birth, personal code, photo, signature, date of issue and date of expiry, and document number.
For resident aliens with valid papers, the ID card also contains residence and work permit data. In addition to many security features, the card has a machine-readable code and a chip, an electronic device containing the visual data on the card and two security certificates (long number series) to verify the individual and supply digital signatures.
The card’s chip contains only your personal data printed on the card as well as the keys and certificates used to verify them.
How to apply for an ID card.
It's simple: apply to the Citizenship and Migration Board(CMB). If you already have an identification document issued by the CMB or have a valid residence permit, you can apply by post.
Send the envelope to:
TAOTLUS
Kodakondsus- ja Migratsiooniamet
Sõle 61a
10144 Tallinn
Terms of Use for the National ID Card Certificates
DEFINITIONS
· national ID – an identification document intended for domestic use. The document is not intended for crossing of international borders, unless otherwise provided by law.
· certification – the issuing of certificates necessary for digital signatures, the verification of digital signatures on the basis of certificates and the suspension, reactivation or revocation of certificate validity.
· CPP – the provider of the certification procedure, AS Sertifitseerimiskeskus (Certification Center Ltd).
· certificates – documents contained in the ID card that are issued to allow digital signatures and identity verification, and which public keys are tied to a individual person.
· PIN codes – codes used to activate digital signature and identity verification certificates.
· certificate owner – the individual whose data is linked to the public key in the same certificate.
· home page – official CPP online publication, available in the public data communication network at http://www.sk.ee
· certificate database – a database that contains all certificates issued by the CPP. Access provided from home page.
· invalid list – a system of checking the certificates. A CPP-published list of suspended and revoked certificates of individuals, including full details such as order in the queue, changes in status and the reasons. Each invalid list is active for 12.5 hours after publication (CP). The entry concerning the changes in the status of the certificate will be published in 10 minutes after receiving the application..
· CP – Certification Policy. The rules by which the CPP will provide certification service.
· assistance line – a telephone service that represents CPP at the free short number 1777. The assistance line will receive requests from certificate owners and other parties in transactions to suspend certificates, 24 hours a day.
· customer service center – an agent of the CPP in matters between the CPP and certificate owners. The customer service center will receive applications for new certificates, renewed certificates, suspension of or reactivation of certificates, and revocation of certificates. A list of customer service centers can be found on the home page.
OBLIGATIONS OF THE CERTIFICATE OWNER
1. The certificate owner will act in a responsible manner to protect his ID card from damage that may invalidate the certificates.
2. The owner will do his utmost to protect his PIN codes. If their confidentiality has been compromised, he will immediately change them or suspend the certificate, if the codes cannot be changed. Certificates can be suspended by phone or at a customer service center, but they can only be reactivated or revoked at a customer service center. There is no charge for this service.
3. In case of loss of ID card or in case the card has expired, the certificate owner obliges to revoke the valid certificates issued to him and recorded on the ID card at the CPP service center before applying for a new ID card or certificates.
1. In case of suspension or revocation of the certificate, the certificate owner obliges to verify that a respective entry has been entered into the invalid list. The suspension or revocation application shall be considered as submitted to CPP as of the moment it is published in the invalid list.
2. In addition to these Terms and CP, the certificate owner obliges to follow other requirements posted on the CPP website. The owner of the certificate shall affirm that he is familiar and in agreement with the requirements.
3. For the purposes of certificate authentication, parties must adhere to the most current invalid list.
RESPONSIBILITY
1. The certificate owner shall be responsible for any damage arising from the non-fulfillment or improper fulfillment of these Terms, CP, and/or the law of the Republic of Estonia on digital signature.
2. The certificate owner will be solely and completely responsible for any consequences arising from the use of the certificates on his ID card.
3. The owner realizes that identity verification and digital signatures supplied on the basis of expired, suspended or revoked certificates are invalid.
4. The CPP does not take responsibility for incidents stemming from reasons beyond its control (such as force majeure or the actions of a third party or the lack of actions thereof) that make it impossible for a certificate owner to provide digital signatures or verify identities, for a party to verify the validity of a certificate or conduct other queries or transactions.
GENERAL CONDITIONS
1. The certificate will become valid at the time noted on the certificate, but not before the certificate is entered into the CPP certificate database.
2. The certificate will become invalid upon expiration, suspension or revocation of the certificate.
3. These Terms and CP are binding for certificate owners for the entire time that the certificate remains in force and even after the certificate is revoked for until such time when there arise legal consequences of the signatures given and identities verified with the certificate that was valid at the time, and until the expiry of the term of initiating contestation procedures.
4. The certificate owner is cognizant of and agrees to have his name and personal code entered in the database.
5. It is recommended to append evidence to all digital signatures (certificate used upon signature, most current invalid list at the moment of signature).
6. The CPP reserves the right to change these Terms or CP at any time, if necessary; the changes will take effect upon publication on the home page.
7. The CPP reserves the right to divulge information on certificate owners to third parties, authorized to receive such information by the law of the Republic of Estonia.
Last words about the ID CARD
Never give your ID card to another person. The possibility for misuse exists, and you will bear the consequences.
Do not reveal your ID card codes. Do not keep the PIN codes and the PUK code in the same place as the card, and do not write them on the card. Keep them in a safe place, or even better, memorize them and destroy the PIN code envelope.
If your PIN codes are stolen or lost, notify the assistance line 1777 immediately.
If your ID card is lost, notify the assistance line 1777 immediately in order to suspend certificates. In case of loss of ID card the CMB shall also be notified thereof. Further information is available here.
The digital signature equals a handwritten signature and entails the same responsibility.
Before using the PIN code 2, make sure your partner is a trustworthy one. If there is doubt, make sure the document to be signed is correct.
Do not, for easier remembering, set the two PIN codes to be identical.
Entering an incorrect PIN code three times in a row will disable the electronic function. If you have forgotten the PUK code, you will not be able to use the card in an electronic environment. You will in this case need to call 1777, the 24-hour assistance hotline.
Residence permit
Residence permit may be either of fixed-term, issued with up to five years validity period, or permanent.
A fixed-time residence permit may be prolonged if the basis for the permit is not changed and application is justified.
A fixed-term residence permit may be issued to a foreigner:
* married to a person with permanent residence in Estonia;
* for settling down with a close relative permanently residing in Estonia;
* for working;
* for studies at an Estonian educational institution;
* for business;
* whose constant legal income ensures his/her subsistence in Estonia;
* whose application for residence permit is based on an international agreement.
Temporary residence permit for settling with a spouse
Terms
A temporary residence permit may be issued to an alien to settle with his or her spouse who resides in Estonia permanently and who is
- an Estonian citizen or
- an alien who has resided in Estonia for at least five years on the basis of a permanent residence permit or
- for settling with a spouse who is an alien and who has been granted a residence permit for employment in Estonia on the following basis:
* for employment as a teacher or lecturer in an educational institution which complies with the requirements established by the relevant Estonian legislation;
* for artistic activities or scientific research;
* for employment in the position of a member of the management body of a legal person registered in Estonia with the duty to perform directing or supervisory functions;
* for making a direct foreign investment, foundation of a branch of a foreign company in Estonia, or performance, by way of rotation, of the right of representation or directing functions in a company registered in Estonia and belonging to an international group of undertakings;
* in the capacity of a sportsman, coach, referee or sports official in order to engage in professional activities;
* for employment as an expert, adviser, consultant or installer of equipment or skilled worker;
* for activities in the framework of an international program of co-operation involving agencies with state or local government participation;
* for performing management and control functions as a member of the management body of a legal entity which is registered in Estonia;
* as a posted worker;
- for settling with a spouse who is an alien and who has been granted a residence permit for enterprise or for doctorial studies in Estonia,
if the spouses share close economic ties and a compatible relationship, if the family is stable and the marriage is not fictitious, and if the application for a residence permit is justified.
The requirement for permanent residence in Estonia will not be applied to the spouse holding the Estonian citizenship in the case of the family settling in Estonia together.
If the marriage has lasted less than three years, an alien may be granted a residence permit with the period of validity for up to one year, which may be extended in each of the following three years for not longer than one year at a time.
If the marriage has lasted longer than three years, an alien may be granted a residence permit with the period of validity for up to three years which may be extended for not longer than three years at a time.
In order to settle with a spouse in Estonia the spouses must have regular legal income which ensures that the family is maintained in Estonia. Lawfully earned remuneration for work, income received from lawful business activities or property, pensions, scholarships, support, benefits paid by a foreign state and the maintenance ensured by family members earning legal income are deemed to be legal income.
The spouse who resides in Estonia must have a registered place of residence in Estonia, unless the spouse has been granted a residence permit for employment (on the above-mentioned basis), enterprise or doctorial studies. The spouse who applies for a residence permit must register his place of residence in Estonia at the Population Register within a month from the date of his/her arrival in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit or from the date of his/her stay in Estonia.
An application for a residence permit to settle with a spouse who resides in Estonia and who is an alien shall be considered to be unjustified if the alien who applies for the residence permit and the spouse for whom the residence permit is applied for, can not prove that it is not possible for them to settle in the country of their common nationality or in the country of nationality or country of habitual residence of the alien who applies for the residence permit.
An application for a residence permit to settle with a spouse who is an Estonian citizen may be considered to be unjustified if it is possible for the spouse who resides in Estonia to settle in the country of nationality or country of habitual residence of his or her spouse or if it is possible for the spouses to settle in another country.
The spouse with whom an alien who was granted a residence permit is to settle has the duties of a sponsor (he/she must incur the costs of the compulsory execution of the alien's obligation to leave and the costs related to the stay of an alien in the Expulsion Centre and a police detention house if an alien does not comply with his/her duties).
An alien who resides in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit and who wishes to stay outside of Estonia longer than 183 days a year must register his/her stay outside of Estonia at the Citizenship and Migration Board.
A permanent residence permit may be issued to a foreigner who has been living at least three years under a valid fixed-term residence permit for five years in Estonia, who has a place of residence and constant legal income for subsistence in Estonia.
Upon accession to the European Union the procedure for applying for residence permit for the citizens of EU and their family members was amended. You can find more detailed information here.
A foreigner residing in Estonia according to residence permit and desiring to stay outside of Estonia for more than 183 days per year shall register his/her absence from Estonia at the Citizenship and Migration Board.
Documents
Upon application for a residence permit the following must be submitted:
· an identity document of an applicant.
· a document which certifies that an applicant and the person inviting him or her are married, if they are married outside of Estonia;
· a document which certifies spouse's actual domicile in Estonia unless the spouse has been granted a residence permit for employment (on the above-mentioned basis), enterprise or doctorial studies;
· why you and your spouse have no opportunity to live in your and your spouse's country of nationality, in your domiciliary country or in some other country;
· a documents certifying the legal income of an applicant, and of his/her spouse's, during the six months preceding the submission of the application for a residence permit (See Requirements concerning legal income);
· insurance contract, which assures the costs of treatment conditioned of your illness or injury during the residence permit. There is no need for an insurance policy if an alien is insured by a compulsory health insurance provided under the Health Insurance Act or in cases stipulated by an international agreement;
· colour photo (40 x 50 mm);
· a document certifying the payment of the state fee.
For the extension of your residence permit you must submit following documents:
* the identity document of an applicant;
* a document which certifies applicant's spouse's actual domicile in Estonia;
* a document certifying the legal income of an applicant and his/her spouse, during the six months preceding the submission of the application for a residence permit. It must include data on the amount, regularity and sources of the income;
* insurance contract, which assures the costs of treatment conditioned of your illness or injury during the residence permit. There is no need for an insurance policy if an alien is insured by a compulsiory health insurance provided under the Health Insurance Act or in cases stipulated by an international agreement;
* applicant's written certification that spouses live in Estonia;
* color photo (40 x 50 mm);
* a document certifying the payment of the state fee.
An application must be completed in capital letters either in Estonian, Russian or English and there must be no corrections. All boxes of the application form, which are meant to be completed by an applicant, must be filled in. Boxes must be filled in with dark ink to guarantee the preservation of the submitted data. The personal data of an applicant must be written in Latin characters as appear in his/her identity or travel document.
An applicant must write his/her signature with black/blue ballpoint pen, with a ball diameter of approximately 0,8-1,5 mm, within the box foreseen for the signature. The signature must not cross the borders of the signature box. The signature within the signature box must be written personally by the applicant. The signature box of the application of a minor, under 15 years of age, or an alien with restricted active legal capacity shall be left empty. If an alien is not capable of writing his/her signature within the signature box and not capable of signing the application, the signature box shall be left empty.
Documents enclosed with the application must be translated either into Estonian, Russian or English. The accuracy of the translation must be certified by a notary. Documents issued abroad must be legalized or confirmed by a relevant certificate (apostil), unless an international agreement stipulates otherwise. More information on the legalisation of documents and their confirmation with the relevant certificates can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
If a copy of a document is added to an application the applicant must confirm, with his/her signature, on every page of the document,(which includes entries), that the copy corresponds fully to the original document. The name of the applicant and the date of the signature must be added to the signature.
Process
As a general rule an applicant should submit his/her application for a residence permit at a representation of the Republic of Estonia. The following may apply for a temporary residence permit at the Citizenship and Migration Board:
* Estonian, his/her wife/husband and underage child;
* Estonian citizen’s wife/husband and underage child;
* for a child under twelve months, descent of a foreigner living in Estonia under residence permit;
* foreigner staying in Estonia during the activities of international cooperation program with participation of a governmental- or local government agency;
* foreigner staying in Estonia under fixed-term residence permit and applying for a new fixed-term residence permit;
* foreigner having received a permit for it from National Citizenship and Immigration Board in exceptional circumstances of his/her inability to apply for residence permit to an Estonian foreign mission due to justified reason;
* foreigner having issued a permit for it by the Minister of interior on the motivated proposal of the member of the Government of the Republic with justified reason of his/her arrival in Estonia being of national interest;
* foreigner, a citizen of the country having a visa freedom pact with Estonia or in whose case Estonia has unilaterally waived visa requirement, and wife/husband and underage child of the named foreigner;
* citizen of USA or Japan and his/her wife/husband and underage child;
* foreigner, having taken up residence in Estonia before July 1, 1990 and not left to reside in any other country after the named date and who has not been refused a residence permit or prolongation of such or whose residence permit was not declared invalid.
The decision as to whether or not to issue a temporary residence permit shall be decided within a period of 3 months from the date of starting of the processing of the application.
The CMB may extend the above-mentioned term if the checking of the data and documents added to the application and the verification of whether the application is verified takes longer than foreseen for the processing of applications.
The CMB shall not review the application if an applicant has not rectified, on time, any deficiencies found in the application or documents, or has not submitted all the necessary documents.
An applicant shall be informed on the basis of contacts given in the application about the issue of a residence permit, the place of issue, the extension of the period of processing of his/her application, the refusal to process his/her application or the refusal to issue a residence permit by sending him/her a notice at the address given in the application.
An application for the extension of a temporary residence permit must be submitted to a regional department of the CMB two months before the expiry of the valid residence permit.
If you wish to extend your residence permit you have to submit an application for the extension of your residence permit to your local regional department of the Citizenship and Migration Board at the latest two month before your valid residence permit expires. The term for the extension of a temporary residence permit shall not be restored if the residence permit has expired.
The Citizenship and Migration Board shall make a decision as to whether to extend or refuse to extend your residence permit at least five days before the date of expiry of your temporary residence permit.
A temporary residence permit for settling with a close relative who resides in Estonia
Terms
A temporary residence permit may be issued to the following aliens to settle with a close relative who is an Estonian citizen or to settle with a close relative who is an alien who has resided in Estonia for at least five years on the basis of a permanent residence permit:
1. to a minor child in order to settle with his/her parent;
2. to an adult child in order to settle with a parent if the child is unable to cope independently due to health reasons or a disability;
3. to a parent or grandparent in order to settle with his or her adult child or grandchild if the parent or grandparent needs care which it is not possible for him or her to receive in the country of his or her location or in another country and the permanent legal income of his or her child or grandchild who legally resides in Estonia ensures that the parent or grandparent will be maintained in Estonia; or
4. to a person under guardianship in order to settle with the guardian if the permanent legal income of the guardian ensures that the ward will be maintained in Estonia.
A temporary residence permit may also be issued to aliens in cases referred to in above clauses 1, 2 and 4 if the close relative with whom an alien wants to settle has a temporary residence permit.
Aliens referred to in clauses 2 and 3 cannot work in Estonia and no work permit can be issued to them.
Upon the issue of a residence permit to a minor child the rights and interests of the minor child shall be taken into consideration above all. A residence permit shall not be issued if the settling of the child in Estonia would damage his or her rights and interests and if his or her legal, financial or social status may deteriorate as a result of settling in Estonia.
Lawfully earned remuneration for work, income received from lawful business activities or property, pensions, scholarships, support, benefits paid by a foreign state and the maintenance ensured by family members earning legal income are deemed to be legal income.
A close relative, for the purposes of settling with whom a residence permit is applied for, must have a registered residence and an actual dwelling in Estonia and he or she shall bear all the costs related to the care and medical treatment of the alien concerned. A close relative does not have to have a registered residence and an actual dwelling in Estonia if an alien and the close relative, for the purposes of settling with whom a residence permit is applied for, arrive in Estonia together. An alien is required to register his or her residence in Estonia in the population register within one month after entry into Estonia or the commencement of his/her stay in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit.
An adult alien must have an insurance contract guaranteeing that any costs related to his or her medical treatment, as a result of illness or injury during the period of validity of the residence permit applied for, will be met. During the time that an alien is deemed to be a person insured by compulsory health insurance pursuant to the Health Insurance Act, and in cases provided for by international agreements, an alien need not have such an insurance contract.
A close relative with whom an alien is going to settle will have the obligations of a sponsor (if an alien does not comply with his/her duties the sponsor is required to bear the costs of the compulsory execution of the obligation to leave and the costs related to the alien’s stay in the Expulsion Centre or a detention house of the police).
An alien is required to notify the Citizenship and Migration Board of the following circumstances:
1) change of marital or family status if such change has been registered in a foreign state;
2) punishment under criminal procedure if the punishment was imposed on the alien by a law enforcement authority of a foreign state.
An alien who resides in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit and wants to stay outside Estonia for more than a total of 183 days in a year must register his or her absence at the Citizenship and Migration Board.
Documents
Upon the application for a temporary residence permit for a child who wishes to settle with a parent who resides in Estonia permanently the following must be submitted:
In the case of minors under 18 years of age
* a coloured photograph sized 40x50 mm;
* a child's birth certificate;
* a child's identity document if he/she has one;
* a notary confirmed consent of a parent who will not settle in Estonia for the settling of a minor child in Estonia which will be valid for the submission of an application for a residence permit for up to two months from the date of giving the consent;
* a document that certifies that the parent has an actual dwelling in Estonia, except if the minor and the parent arrive in Estonia together;
* a written confirmation by the parent that the settlement of a child with him/her does not deteriorate the child’s legal, financial or social status;
* a parent's identity document (if the parent’s name in the child’s birth certificate differs from the name in the parent’s identity document a document certifying the change of the name of the parent);
* a document certifying the payment of the state fee.
In the case of an adult child the following documents must be submitted in addition to the above-mentioned documents:
* a document issued by a competent authority which certifies that the person is not able to cope on his/her own due to his/her state of health or disability;
* a confirmation of a parent that he/she undertakes to incur the costs of care and treatment of his/her child;
* an insurance policy (there is no need for an insurance policy if the person is insured by a compulsory health insurance pursuant to the Health Insurance Act, and in cases provided for by international agreements).
There is also no need for a notary confirmed consent of a parent who will not settle in Estonia for the settling of a child in Estonia.
Upon the extension of a residence permit the same documents must be submitted as for the application for the issue of a permit. A curriculum vitae must be submitted in the case that it has not been submitted before. Data concerning close relatives, a spouse, family members and dependants must be submitted if the data has changed after the application for a residence permit or if it has not been submitted before.
Upon the application for a temporary residence permit for a parent or a grandparent who wishes to settle with a child or a grandchild the following must be submitted:
* an identity document of an applicant;
* a colored photograph sized 40x50 mm;
* documents certifying kinship;
* an applicant's confirmation that he/she cannot receive appropriate care/assistance in his/her country of habitual residence;
* a document that certifies the legal income of a sponsor or a sponsor and an applicant during the six months preceding the submission of an application for a residence permit;
* an insurance policy which ensures the reimbursement of expenses incurred for medical treatment connected with the illness or incapacity of the applicant during the period of validity of the residence permit applied for. There is no need for an insurance policy if the person is insured by compulsory health insurance pursuant to the Health Insurance Act, and in cases provided for by international agreements;
* justification as to why an alien wishes to settle in Estonia;
* a document that certifies that the sponsor has an actual dwelling place in Estonia;
* data concerning the state of health of the applicant if the need for care proceeds from the state of health of the applicant;
* a document certifying the payment of the state fee.
Upon the extension of a residence permit the following must be submitted:
* an identity document of an applicant;
* a document that certifies the legal income of a sponsor or a sponsor and an applicant during the six months preceding the submission of an application for a residence permit;
* a document that certifies that the sponsor and the applicant have an actual dwelling place in Estonia;
* confirmation of the applicant that he/she and the sponsor are permanently residing in Estonia;
* confirmation that the child or grandchild continually undertakes to incur the costs for the care and treatment of the parent/grandparent;
* confirmation of the child/grandchild that the basis for the issue of a residence permit has not changed or a written explanation about any changes in the basis for the issue of a residence permit;
* a coloured photograph sized 40x50 mm;
* a document certifying the payment of the state fee.
A curriculum vitae must be submitted in the case that it has not been submitted before. Data concerning close relatives, a spouse, family members and dependants must be submitted if the data has changed after the application for a residence permit or if it has not been submitted before.
Upon the application for a temporary residence permit for a ward who wishes to settle with a guardian who resides in Estonia permanently the following documents must be submitted:
* a colored photograph sized 40x50 mm;
* documents certifying the designation of the guardianship;
* a document that certifies that the guardian has an actual dwelling in Estonia, expect if the ward and the guardian arrive in Estonia together;
* a document that certifies the amount of legal income of the guardian or the guardian and the applicant during the six months preceding the application for a residence permit, including the sources, amount and regularity of the income;
* confirmation that the guardian undertakes to incur the costs of care and treatment of the ward;
* a written confirmation of the guardian that he/she and the ward are permanently residing in Estonia;
* an insurance policy which ensures the reimbursement of expenses incurred for medical treatment connected with the illness or incapacity of the applicant during the period of validity of the residence permit applied for. There is no need for an insurance policy if the alien is insured by compulsory health insurance pursuant to the Health Insurance Act, and in cases provided for by international agreements;
* a document certifying the payment of the state fee.
Upon the extension of a residence permit the following must be submitted in addition to the above-mentioned documents:
* confirmation of the guardian that the basis for the issue of a residence permit has not changed or a written explanation about any changes in the basis for the issue of a residence permit.
Documents which are issued abroad and added to an application must be translated into either Estonian, English or Russian and the correctness of the translation must be confirmed by a notary. Documents issued abroad must be legalized or confirmed by a relevant certificate (apostil), unless an international agreement stipulates otherwise. Detailed information concerning the legalization and confirmation by a relevant certificate can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
An application must be completed in capital letters either in Estonian, Russian or English and there must be no corrections. All boxes of an application form, which are meant to be completed by an applicant, must be filled in. Boxes of an application form must be filled in dark ink which ensures the preservation of the data. An applicant's first names and surname must be written in Latin characters as appear in his or her identity or travel document.
An applicant shall write his/her signature in dark ink in the signature box of an application in letters of a diameter from 0,8 to 1,5 mm. A signature cannot exceed the boundaries of the signature box. An applicant shall write his/her signature in the signature box of the application. The signature box of the application of an applicant under 15 years of age or an applicant whose active legal capacity is restricted shall be left empty. If an applicant is incapable of writing his/her signature in the signature box of an application, the signature box shall be left empty.
Procedure
As a general rule, aliens shall apply for a temporary residence permit at the representations of the Republic of Estonia. The following may apply for a temporary residence permit at the Citizenship and Migration Board:
* Estonian, his/her wife/husband and underage child;
* Estonian citizen’s wife/husband and underage child;
* for a child under twelve months, descent of a foreigner living in Estonia under residence permit;
* foreigner staying in Estonia during the activities of international cooperation program with participation of a governmental- or local government agency;
* foreigner staying in Estonia under fixed-term residence permit and applying for a new fixed-term residence permit;
* foreigner having received a permit for it from National Citizenship and Immigration Board in exceptional circumstances of his/her inability to apply for residence permit to an Estonian foreign mission due to justified reason;
* foreigner having issued a permit for it by the Minister of interior on the motivated proposal of the member of the Government of the Republic with justified reason of his/her arrival in Estonia being of national interest;
* foreigner, a citizen of the country having a visa freedom pact with Estonia or in whose case Estonia has unilaterally waived visa requirement, and wife/husband and underage child of the named foreigner;
* citizen of USA or Japan and his/her wife/husband and underage child;
* foreigner, having taken up residence in Estonia before July 1, 1990 and not left to reside in any other country after the named date and who has not been refused a residence permit or prolongation of such or whose residence permit was not declared invalid.
As a general rule, an applicant submits his/her application personally. If an applicant cannot submit an application for a residence permit personally it can be done by his/her representative. An application for a residence permit for a child under 15 years of age or a person without active legal capacity shall be submitted by his/her legal representative - a parent, a guardian or a representative of a guardianship authority. If an application is submitted by a representative he/she has to submit a document certifying his/her right of representation.
A minor who resides permanently in a foreign state and who is at least 15 years of age may file an application for a temporary residence permit personally with the notarized consent of a parent.
The decision as to whether or not to issue a residence permit shall be decided within a period of 3 months from the date of starting the processing of the application. If any deficiencies are found in the application the decision shall be made within a period of 3 months from the date of rectifying these deficiencies.
The above-mentioned term may be extended if the checking of the data and documents added to the application and the verification of whether the application is verified takes longer than foreseen for the processing of applications.
The CMB shall not review the application if the applicant has not rectified, on time, any deficiencies found in the application or documents, or has not submitted all the necessary documents.
An applicant shall be informed in writing, on the basis of contacts given in the application, about the issue of a residence permit, the place of issue, the extension of the period of processing of his/her application, the refusal to process his/her application or the refusal to issue a residence permit by sending him/her a notice at the address given in the application.
An application for the extension of a temporary residence permit must be submitted to a regional department of the CMB two months before the expiry of the valid residence permit. The Citizenship and Migration Board shall make a decision as to whether to extend or refuse to extend a residence permit at least ten days before the date of expiry of the temporary residence permit. In case there are faults in the application for the extension of a residence permit a decision as to whether to extend or refuse to extend a residence permit shall be made within two months from the date of rectifying such faults.
An application for a temporary residence permit must be submitted four months before the expiry of the valid residence permit by an applicant who:
1) has committed a criminal offence for which he or she has been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of more than one year and his or her criminal record has neither expired nor been expunged, or the information concerning the punishment has not been expunged from the punishment;
2) is in the active service of the armed forces of a foreign state (this also extends to the applicant’s spouse and minor children);
3) has served as a professional member of the armed forces of a foreign state or has been assigned to the reserve forces thereof or has retired there from (this also extends to the applicant’s spouse and minor children);
4) has been repeatedly punished pursuant to criminal procedures for an intentionally committed criminal offence.
Temporary residence permit for study in Estonia
Terms
A residence permit for study may be issued to an alien:
* for study in a primary school, basic school, gymnasium, vocational educational institution, institution of applied higher education or university;
* for participation in pre-degree foundation courses offered by such institutions;
* carry out scientific work or research in a university or an institution of applied higher education;
* for participation in field training intermediated by an international students’ organization.
A residence permit for study may be issued for a period of up to one year but no longer than the estimated duration of the studies. If an alien continues his/her studies in the same educational institution, his/her residence permit may be extended by one year at a time but not for longer than six years all together. Aliens who are issued residence permits for study are exempt from the immigration quota.
An alien may be issued a residence permit for study if the alien has a permanent legal income for subsistence in Estonia. Lawfully earned remuneration for work, income received from lawful business activities or property, pensions, scholarships, support, benefits paid by a foreign state and the maintenance ensured by family members earning legal income are deemed to be legal income.
An alien must have a dwelling in Estonia which he/she must register at the Population Register within a month from the date of his/her arrival in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit or from the date of his/her stay in Estonia.
An alien has to have an insurance contract guaranteeing that any costs related to his or her medical treatment as a result of illness or injury during the period of validity of the residence permit applied for will be met. An alien who has been granted a residence permit for study is not covered by Estonian health insurance.
The educational institution where the alien who was granted a residence permit is studying has the duties of a sponsor (he/she must incur the costs of the compulsory execution of the alien's obligation to leave and the costs related to the stay of an alien on the Expulsion Centre and a police detention house if an alien does not comply with his/her duties).
The educational institution where the alien who was granted a residence permit is studying has the representation right of an alien under 15 years of age during his/her stay in Estonia and in the procedures related to his/her departure from Estonia if the legal representative of an alien does not stay in Estonia.
An alien who has been issued a residence permit for study may take employment in Estonia without a work permit in order to participate in practical training pursuant to the curriculum. Otherwise he/she may take employment in Estonia only on the basis of a work permit but only outside of school hours on condition that such employment does not interfere with the alien’s studies.
An educational institution must inform the Citizenship and Migration Board about the ex matriculation from the institution, and the termination or suspension of studies, of an alien who has been granted a residence permit for study.
An alien who resides in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit and who wishes to stay outside of Estonia longer than 183 days a year must register his/her stay outside of Estonia at the Citizenship and Migration Board.
Documents
* a document which certifies the legal income of the applicant or his/her family members, who ensure his/her subsistence, during the six months preceding the submission of the application, including the amount, regularity and sources of the income;
* the identity document of an applicant;
* a colored photograph sized 40x50 mm;
* an insurance contract;
* a document certifying the payment of the state fee.
The application of an applicant under 15 years of age is submitted by his/her parent, guardian or an authorized representative of a guardianship authority who has also to submit his/her identity document and a document certifying his/her right of representation.
Documents added to an application which are issued abroad must be translated either into Estonian, Russian or English and the authenticity of the translation must be certified by a notary. Documents issued abroad must be legalized or confirmed by a certificate (apostille), unless otherwise stipulated by an international agreement.
Upon the extension of a residence permit the same documents must be submitted as when the issue of a residence permit was applied. A curriculum vitae has to be submitted only if this has not been done before. Data concerning close relatives, spouse, family members and dependants must be submitted only if this data has changed after the application for a residence permit or if it has not been submitted before.
Procedure
If an alien wishes to come to Estonia to study in an educational institution located in Estonia the educational institution must issue to the alien a confirmation that he/she will commence studies in that institution. The confirmation shall be given on an additional form which can be obtained from the home page of the Citizenship and Migration Board (CMB): www.mig.ee and from any regional department of the CMB.
As a general rule an applicant should submit his/her application for a residence permit at a representation of the Republic of Estonia. The following may apply for a temporary residence permit at the Citizenship and Migration Board:
* Estonian, his/her wife/husband and underage child;
* Estonian citizen’s wife/husband and underage child;
* for a child under twelve months, descent of a foreigner living in Estonia under residence permit;
* foreigner staying in Estonia during the activities of international cooperation program with participation of a governmental- or local government agency;
* foreigner staying in Estonia under fixed-term residence permit and applying for a new fixed-term residence permit;
* foreigner having received a permit for it from National Citizenship and Immigration Board in exceptional circumstances of his/her inability to apply for residence permit to an Estonian foreign mission due to justified reason;
* foreigner having issued a permit for it by the Minister of interior on the motivated proposal of the member of the Government of the Republic with justified reason of his/her arrival in Estonia being of national interest;
* foreigner, a citizen of the country having a visa freedom pact with Estonia or in whose case Estonia has unilaterally waived visa requirement, and wife/husband and underage child of the named foreigner;
* citizen of USA or Japan and his/her wife/husband and underage child;
* foreigner, having taken up residence in Estonia before July 1, 1990 and not left to reside in any other country after the named date and who has not been refused a residence permit or prolongation of such or whose residence permit was not declared invalid.
An alien has to submit an application for a temporary residence permit and the transfer of the data of his/her residence permit into his/her travel document personally (in case of an applicant under 15 years of it has to be done by his/her representative).
The decision as to whether or not to issue a temporary residence permit shall be decided within a period of 3 months from the date of starting of the processing of the application.
The CMB may extend the above-mentioned terms if the checking of the data and documents added to the application and the verification of whether the application is verified takes longer than foreseen for the processing of applications.
The CMB shall not review the application if an applicant has not rectified, on time, any deficiencies found in the application or documents, or has not submitted all the necessary documents.
An applicant shall be informed on the basis of contacts given in the application about the issue of a residence permit, the place of issue, the extension of the period of processing of his/her application, the refusal to process his/her application or the refusal to issue a residence permit by sending him/her a notice at the address given in the application.
An application for the extension of a temporary residence permit must be submitted to a regional department of the CMB two months before the expiry of the valid residence permit.
Temporary residence permit for business in Estonia
Terms
A residence permit for undertaking business in Estonia may be issued to an alien who owns shares in a company or acts as a sole proprietor if the company or the sole proprietor is registered in the Estonian Commercial Register and if the business is necessary for the national interest of developing the Estonian economy and the settlement of the alien is important for the business. The fields and, if necessary, the territory of activities, shall be determined in the residence permit for business.
An alien may be granted a residence permit for business if:
* the alien has invested in Estonia a capital sum of 1,000,000 kroons under his/her control in the case of a company;
* the alien has invested in Estonia a capital sum of 250,000 kroons under his/her control in the case of a sole proprietor.
An alien who has been granted a residence permit for business so as to participate in the activities of a company may work only in the company determined by the residence permit in order to carry out managerial functions. If an alien has been granted a residence permit for business he/she cannot work in Estonia under the subordination of any other person.
An alien who has been granted a residence permit for business must inform the Citizenship and Migration Board about the following:
* if the circumstances which form the basis for the issue of a residence permit have changed;
* if the alien has difficulties in performing the obligations undertaken;
* if the alien is not able to perform his/her obligations.
An alien who resides in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit and who wishes to stay outside of Estonia longer than 183 days a year must register his/her stay outside of Estonia at the Citizenship and Migration Board.
Documents
Upon application for a residence permit the following must be submitted:
* an identity document of an applicant;
* a document which certifies the legal income of an alien during the last six months preceding the submission of an application;
* an insurance policy which ensures the reimbursement of expenses incurred for medical treatment connected with the illness or incapacity of the applicant during the period of validity for which the residence permit is applied. There is no need for an insurance policy if an alien is insured by a compulsory health insurance provided under the Health Insurance Act or in cases stipulated by an international agreement;
* a document certifying the education, area of vocation or profession;
* a colored photograph (40 x 50 mm);
* a document certifying the payment of the state fee;
* in addition to the above-listed documents an applicant has to submit data concerning the company or sole proprietor, data on the place of business, description of the business plan, including the nature and scope of the business, the number, qualifications and skills of the employees needed, as well as an explanation as to why the stay of an applicant is important for the business and necessary for the development of the Estonian economy.
For the extension of your residence permit you must submit the same documents you submitted when applying for the residence and work permits.
An application must be completed in capital letters either in Estonian, Russian or English and there must be no corrections. All boxes of the application form, which are meant to be completed by an applicant, must be filled in. Boxes must be filled in with dark ink to guarantee the preservation of the submitted data. The personal data of an applicant must be written in Latin characters as appear in his/her identity or travel document.
An applicant must write his/her signature with black/blue ballpoint pen, with a ball diameter of approximately 0,8-1,5 mm, within the box foreseen for the signature. The signature must not cross the borders of the signature box. The signature within the signature box must be written personally by the applicant. The signature box of the application of a minor, under 15 years of age, or an alien with restricted active legal capacity shall be left empty. If an alien is not capable of writing his/her signature within the signature box and not capable of signing the application, the signature box shall be left empty.
Documents enclosed with the application must be translated either into Estonian, Russian or English. The accuracy of the translation must be certified by a notary. Documents issued abroad must be legalized or confirmed by a relevant certificate (apostil), unless an international agreement stipulates otherwise. More information on the legalization of documents and their confirmation with the relevant certificates can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
If an application is submitted by post copies of the required documents can be sent to the Citizenship and Migration Board. If a copy of a document is added to an application the applicant must confirm, with his/her signature, on every page of the document,(which includes entries), that the copy corresponds fully to the original document. The name of the applicant and the date of the signature must be added to the signature.
Procedure
If an application for a residence permit or for the transfer of the data from a residence permit into a travel document is submitted for the first time an alien must personally contact a representation of the Republic of Estonia. The following may apply for a temporary residence permit at the Citizenship and Migration Board:
* Estonian, his/her wife/husband and underage child;
* Estonian citizen’s wife/husband and underage child;
* for a child under twelve months, descent of a foreigner living in Estonia under residence permit;
* foreigner staying in Estonia during the activities of international cooperation program with participation of a governmental- or local government agency;
* foreigner staying in Estonia under fixed-term residence permit and applying for a new fixed-term residence permit;
* foreigner having received a permit for it from National Citizenship and Immigration Board in exceptional circumstances of his/her inability to apply for residence permit to an Estonian foreign mission due to justified reason;
* foreigner having issued a permit for it by the Minister of interior on the motivated proposal of the member of the Government of the Republic with justified reason of his/her arrival in Estonia being of national interest;
* foreigner, a citizen of the country having a visa freedom pact with Estonia or in whose case Estonia has unilaterally waived visa requirement, and wife/husband and underage child of the named foreigner;
* citizen of USA or Japan and his/her wife/husband and underage child;
* foreigner, having taken up residence in Estonia before July 1, 1990 and not left to reside in any other country after the named date and who has not been refused a residence permit or prolongation of such or whose residence permit was not declared invalid.
The Citizenship and Migration Board shall make a decision as to whether to issue, or refuse to issue, a residence and work permit:
* during a period of three months from the date of the registration and the starting of the processing of your application, when the immigration quota does not apply to you;
* during a period of six months from the date of the registration and the starting of the processing of your application, when the immigration quota applies to you;
* when during the processing your application any circumstance emerge that excludes you from the immigration quota, the decision will be made during the period of three months from the date of finding out about such circumstance.
The Citizenship and Migration Board may extend the term of examination of your application and the making of a decision to check the correctness of data submitted in your application and other documents, and whether your application is justified. The Citizenship and Migration Board shall notify you of the extension of the term in writing at the address you have shown on your application.
A residence permit for business can be extended if the circumstances which form the basis for the issue of the permit have not ceased to exist and if the activities of the alien have, so far, been in compliance with the conditions of the residence permit.
If you wish to extend your residence permit you have to submit an application for the extension of your residence permit at the latest two months before your valid residence permit expires. The term for the extension of a temporary residence permit shall not be restored if the residence permit has expired.
Application for residence permits of European Union citizens and of their family members
Terms
This information folder is meant for citizens of the members states (except Estonia) of the European Union (hereinafter EU) and the European Economic Area, as well as citizens of Switzerland who wish to settle in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit.
EU citizens can apply for a residence permit in Estonia:
* for employment;
* for engagement in business;
* if a citizen of the European Union has sufficient legal income which ensures his or her own subsistence and that of his or her family members in Estonia;
* for study in a basic school, gymnasium, vocational educational institution;
* for long-term stay in Estonia.
Family members of a citizen of the EU can apply for residence permits for the purpose of settling with a citizen of the EU.
The period of validity of a residence permit is up to 5 years. A residence permit for study shall be issued in one year terms.
Family members can apply for residence permits with the same period of validity as the residence permit of the citizen of the EU.
A residence permit shall be issued to a citizen of the EU under the following conditions:
* he or she has sufficient legal income;
* he/she has an insurance cover which guarantees that any costs related to his/her medical treatment as a result of illness or injury during the period of validity of his/her residence permit will be met;
* his or her actual residence is in Estonia.
The rate of legal income in Estonia is the total of the average monthly gross wages during the six months preceding the submission of the application for a residence permit. The following is deemed to be legal income:
* lawfully earned remuneration for work;
* income received from lawful business activities or property;
* pensions;
* scholarships;
* support;
* the maintenance ensured by family members earning legal income are deemed to be legal income.
A citizen of the EU and his or her family members must register their residence within one month from the date of issue of the residence permit. In order to do so a local government authority must be contacted.
Documents
Upon the application for a residence permit the following documents must be submitted:
* an identity document of the applicant;
* a colored photograph sized 40x50 mm;
* a document which certifies that an applicant is insured and guarantees that any costs related to his/her medical treatment as a result of illness or injury during the period of validity of his/her residence permit will be met;
* a document certifying the payment of the state fee.
There is no need to submit any additional documents when a residence permit is applied for employment, for engagement in business or in the case of substantial legal income.
In case a residence permit is applied for study an educational institution must issue to the Citizenship and Migration Board (CMB) an additional document which confirms that an EU citizen starts his/her studies there. The document must also include the data on the specialty, course, practical training involved, the subject of the thesis and the duration of studies.
Family members who apply for residence permits to settle with EU citizens must also submit:
* a document which proves that an applicant is a family member of an EU citizen
When applying for a residence permit for a long-term stay in Estonia an applicant has to submit the following documents:
* if an applicant has commenced employment in another member state of the European Union but resides in Estonia and returns to Estonia at least once a week he/she has to prove his/her employment in another member state of the EU. An applicant must also prove that he/she has been employed or engaged in business in Estonia for at least the last three consecutive years.
* If an applicant has, by the date of the termination of his or her employment or engagement in business, attained the age of retirement, he/she must prove that he/she has been employed or has been engaged in business in Estonia for at least the last twelve months, and submit a written confirmation that he/she has permanently stayed in Estonia for at least the last three consecutive years;
* If an applicant has terminated his/her employment or engagement in business due to permanent incapacity for work he/she has to submit a document which proves his/her permanent incapacity for work, together with a written confirmation that he/she has permanently stayed in Estonia for at least the last two consecutive years.
* If an EU citizen has terminated his/her employment due to permanent incapacity for work arising from a work injury or occupational disease he/she has to submit a document certifying this fact.
Family members of applicants who apply for long-term residence permits must submit in addition the following documents:
* a document which proves that an applicant is a family member of an EU citizen, and
* If a citizen of the European Union dies before attaining the age of retirement and has, by the date of his or her death, permanently stayed in Estonia for at least the last two consecutive years, his/her family member must submit a document certifying the death of the EU citizen and a document which proves that the applicant was his/her family member.
* If a citizen of the European Union dies before attaining the age of retirement as a result of a work injury or occupational disease, his/her family member must certify that the EU citizen died as a result of a work injury or occupational disease, and a document which proves that the applicant was his/her family member.
An application for an applicant under 15 years of age or a person with restricted legal capacity is submitted by a parent or a guardian, or by a representative of a guardianship authority who must also submit a document certifying his/her right of representation.
When applying for the extension of a residence permit the same documents must be submitted as for the application for the residence permit.
COMPLETING APPLICATIONS
An application form for a residence permit must be completed in capital letters in Estonian or English and it cannot contain corrections.
All boxes foreseen for completion by the applicant must be filled in.
The personal data given in an application must be written in Latin letters in the same form as in the applicant's identity document.
Documents in foreign languages added to an application must be translated either into Estonian or English and the authenticity of the translation must be certified by a notary. Documents issued abroad must be legalized or confirmed by a certificate (apostille), unless otherwise stipulated by an international agreement.
If an application for the extension of a residence permit is submitted by post there is no need to send the original document. A copy is adequate. An applicant must certify the compliance of the copy with the original with his/her signature on each page of the copy which bears any data. The signature must be supplemented by the applicant's name and the date of signing the copy.
Procedure
An applicant or his/her legal representative must submit his/her application for a residence permit at a representation of the Republic of Estonia or at service bureau of the CMB.
The CMB makes a decision as to whether or not to issue a residence permit within a period of 3 months from the date of starting the processing of the application or the date of rectifying all the deficiencies in the application.
An application for the extension of a residence permit can be submitted at a service bureau of the CMB or by post (at the address Sõle 61a, Tallinn 10313) at least two months before the date of its expiry. If the term for the submission of an application has been missed due to serious reasons the CMB may, as an exception, still start the processing of an application, unless the residence permit has expired. If previous permit of residence to the citizen of EU or his/her family member had been issued before 1.05.2004 (i.e. on the basis of Foreigners’ Act) instead of its prolongation a first-time application for EU citizen permit of residence shall be submitted two months before the expiry date of current permit.
The CMB makes a decision as to whether or not to extend a residence permit at least one month before the expiry of the permit. If an application for the extension was submitted belatedly the CMB will make a decision on the extension within two months from the date of rectifying the deficiencies or starting the processing of the application.
The data of residence permits are entered on identity cards (ID cards) which are issued by authorized bank offices (see www.pass.ee).
State fees
Upon application for a residence permit for employment in Estonia, EU citizens and their family members must pay the state fee of 150 kroons.
Permanent residence permit
Terms
A permanent residence permit may be issued to an alien who has resided in Estonia on the basis of a temporary residence permit for at least three years within the last five years and who has a valid residence permit, a residence in Estonia and legal income for subsistence in Estonia.
A permanent residence permit shall not be issued to:
* an alien who has received a residence permit for study or employment;
* an alien who either is or has been served as a professional member of the armed forces of a foreign state, to his or her spouse and his or her minor children;
* an alien who either is or has been employed by the intelligence or security service of a foreign state, to his or her spouse and his or her minor children;
* an alien who has committed a criminal offence for which he or she has been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of more than one year and his or her criminal record has neither expired nor been expunged, or the data concerning the punishment has not been expunged from the punishment register;
* an alien who has been repeatedly punished pursuant to criminal procedure for an intentionally committed criminal offence.
If you wish to apply for a permanent residence permit, you have to submit an application not later than two months before your valid temporary residence permit expires.
If you hold a permanent residence permit you do not require a work permit in order to work in Estonia.
An alien who resides in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit and who wishes to stay outside of Estonia longer than 183 days a year must register his/her stay outside of Estonia at the Citizenship and Migration Board.
Documents
Upon application for a permanent residence permit the following must be submitted:
* an identity document of an applicant;
* a document certifying that an applicant has a place of residence in Estonia;
* a document certifying the legal income of an applicant, or his/her family member who is going to ensure his/her subsistence, during the six months preceding the submission of the application for a residence permit This must include data on the amount, regularity and sources of the income;
* a colored photograph (40x50 mm);
* a document certifying the payment of the state fee.
If a permanent residence permit is applied for a minor who resides in Estonia permanently and whose parent is an Estonian citizen residing in Estonia or an alien who resides in Estonia on the basis of permanent residence permit, the following must be submitted:
* the birth certificate of a minor if the birth of the minor has been registered in a foreign country or if the minor has not previously been granted a temporary residence permit;
* a document certifying that an applicant has a place of residence in Estonia;
* a colored photograph (40x50 mm);
* a document certifying the payment of the state fee.
An application must be completed in capital letters either in Estonian, Russian or English and there must be no corrections. All boxes on the application form, which are meant to be completed by an applicant, must be filled in. Boxes must be filled in with dark ink to guarantee the preservation of the submitted data. The personal data of an applicant must be written in Latin characters, such as appear in his/her identity or travel document.
An applicant must write his/her signature with black/blue ballpoint pen, with a ball diameter of approximately 0,8-1,5 mm, within the box foreseen for the signature. The signature must not cross the borders of the signature box. The signature within the signature box must be written personally by the applicant. The signature box of the application of a minor, under 15 years of age, or an alien with restricted active legal capacity shall be left empty. If an alien is not capable of writing his/her signature within the signature box and not capable of signing the application, the signature box must be left empty.
Documents enclosed with the application, except those that are in Russian or English, must be translated either into Estonian, Russian or English. The accuracy of the translation must be certified by a notary. Documents issued abroad must be legalized or confirmed by a relevant certificate (apostil), unless an international agreement stipulates otherwise. More information on the legalization concerning documents and their confirmation with the relevant certificates can be obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
If an application is submitted by post copies of the required documents can be sent to the Citizenship and Migration Board. If a copy of a document is added to an application the applicant must confirm, with his/her signature, on every page of the document,(which includes entries), that the copy corresponds fully to the original document. The name of the applicant and the date of the signature must be added to the signature.
Procedure
In order to apply for a permanent residence permit you should to contact your local regional department of the Citizenship and Migration Board.
As a general rule, an application must be submitted by an applicant personally. If an applicant is unable to submit the application personally it can be done by his/her representative. For minors, under 15 years of age, and for aliens with restricted legal capacity their parents, guardians or authorized representatives of guardianship institutions shall deal with the procedures necessary for the application for a residence permit. When submitting an application the representative of an alien must present his/her identity document and a document certifying his/her right to represent the alien.
The processing of an application for a residence permit starts on the date of its submission. The processing of applications, which are submitted by post or at any of the representations of the Republic of Estonia, starts, at the latest, on the day after its arrival at the Citizenship and Migration Board. During the processing of an application the Citizenship and Migration Board examines whether the application is justified, the correctness and conformity of the submitted documents with the established requirements, and makes a decision as to whether or not to issue a residence permit.
If there are any deficiencies in an application (e.g. some of the required data has not been given, some required documents are missing or the application does not meet established requirements) an applicant or his/her representative shall be informed thereof and a term for rectifying the faults shall be determined. If the faults are not rectified the processing of the application shall be terminated.
A decision as to whether to issue, or refuse to issue, a permanent residence permit shall be made within three months from the date of starting the processing of the application, but not later than 10 days before the date of expiry of the temporary residence permit. If there are any faults in the application a decision concerning the application shall be made within two months from the date of rectifying these faults.
The Citizenship and Migration Board may extend the term for examination of an application and the making of a decision so as to check the correctness of data submitted in the application and other documents, and whether the application is justified. The authority which accepted the application must inform the applicant or his/her representative about the extensionof the term by sending him/her a letter to the address of the place of residence shown on the application.
Visa invitation
Terms
As of 1 January 2006 a single entry visa for short visits (the period of stay up to five calendar days) can be issued to an alien to enter and stay in Estonia for the purpose of tourism or entertainment services, whereas the financial status of a visa applicant has to be sufficient in order to cover the costs of his or her accommodation, stay and departure from the country. In the presence of the aforementioned sufficient financial resources an alien is not required to have a sponsor.
A visa invitation is your standard application for the admission of an alien to Estonia.
Aliens who wish to apply for a visa to enter Estonia, must be in possession of a standard visa invitation.
In order to invite an alien to Estonia a person who want to invite him/her (a sponsor) has to register an official visa invitation.
An alien can be invited to Estonia by:
* an Estonian citizen with active legal capacity who resides in Estonia permanently or an alien with active legal capacity who has a residence permit in Estonia and who resides in Estonia permanently;
* a legal entity entered in a register foreseen by Estonian law or a state or local government authority.
If the sponsor is a natural person he/she must have a registered place of residence in Estonia.
With the application for a visa invitation for an alien you undertake to host the alien in Estonia, guarantee his/her accommodation, incur his/her costs related to his/her stay in, and departure from, Estonia, including the costs related to the expulsion of an alien from Estonia (e.g. transport costs, costs related to the stay in the Expulsion Centre or a detention house of the police).
A visa invitation will be valid for six months from the date the Citizenship and Migration Board has affirmed it (in the case of a visa invitation by a natural or a legal person governed by private law) or from the date of its signature (in the case of a legal person governed by public law).
Visa invitation from a private person or a legal person governed by private law
If you wish to invite an alien to Estonia you have to complete a visa invitation form and submit it to the Citizenship and Migration Board for confirmation.
Visa invitations are confirmed in all Service Centers of the CMB, except the Northern Regional Department of the CMB (Lastekodu Street 48, Tallinn) and the Mustamäe Bureau (Sütiste Road 32, Tallinn).
Starting from 01.03.2005 applications for a visa invitation can also be submitted by sending them by post to the following address: Sõle 61a, 10313 Tallinn and marking them with the words ”visa invitation”. Applications can also be submitted electronically by e-mail (more detailed information will be here soon).
Visa invitation forms can be downloaded from the home page of the CMB on or obtained from the service centres of the CMB.
The following documents must be submitted for the confirmation of a visa invitation from a private person:
* a sponsor’s ID card, Estonian passport, driving license, aliens' passport or a passport of the alien's country of citizenship (if you submit an application for a visa invitation by post you must send a copy of the document’s page with personal data);
* a copy of the pages of a travel document of an alien who is invited to Estonia which bear personal data and, if necessary, the basis for the stay in the country of his/her habitual residence (residence permit);
* a receipt of payment of the state fee (150 Estonian kroons);
* a document concerning the economic status of a sponsor which enables him/her to cover the estimated costs of the stay in, and departure from, Estonia of an alien (e.g. certificate on the existence and amount of legal income during the last six months).
The following documents must be submitted for the confirmation of a visa invitation from a legal person governed by private law:
* a receipt of payment of the state fee (150 Estonian kroons);
* a copy of the pages of a travel document of an alien who is invited to Estonia which bear personal data and, if necessary, the basis for the stay in the country of his/her habitual residence (residence permit);
* the person who signs the invitation must submit either his/her ID card, Estonian passport, driving license, aliens' passport or a passport of his/her country of citizenship of (if you submit an application for a visa invitation by post you must send a copy of the document’s page bearing personal data).
A visa invitation from a legal person governed by private law must be signed on behalf of the legal person by a signatory who must be either an Estonian citizen or an alien with active legal capacity who has a residence permit in Estonia.
Officials of the Citizenship and Migration Board have the right to require additional documents and to interview you in order to check the data included in the invitation and the documents added to it.
You can authorize your representative to confirm a visa invitation at a regional department of the Citizenship and Migration Board. The authorization will be issued on the format of the visa invitation in the special space provided. At any event the visa invitation has to be filled in and signed personally by the person inviting the alien. The authorized representative has to prove his/her identity by submitting his/her valid ID card or passport.
A visa invitation shall be examined within 30 days. You (or your representative) shall be informed about the date of announcement of the decision on the confirmation of a visa invitation at the time of accepting your visa invitation.
How to complete a visa invitation form
If you print out an application form from the homepage of the CMB, please print it on two sides of one sheet.
A visa invitation form shall be filled in personally by the person inviting the alien, in the Estonian language, and in CAPITAL LETTERS. The invitation cannot contain any corrections.
Special attention should be paid to the correct spelling of the name of the sponsor and the person to be invited to Estonia.
The name of the natural person inviting an alien shall be written in the form of a visa invitation in the Latin form of the name used in the ID card, passport or some other travel document of the person inviting an alien to Estonia.
A legal person governed by public law which wants to invite a alien to Estonia shall write on the invitation form its business name entered in the B-card of the commercial register.
The name of the alien invited to Estonia must be written in the Latin form of the name used in the travel document of the alien.
Estonian representations abroad have the right to refuse to issue a visa if the name on a visa invitation does not match the one in a travel document because it is not possible to identify the alien.
Visa invitation from a legal person governed by public law
A state or local government authority or any other legal person governed by public law can invite an alien to Estonia on the basis of a visa invitation drawn up by the respective institution. This invitation does not have to be confirmed by the Citizenship and Migration Board.
A visa invitation by a legal entity governed by public law shall be issued on the letter form of the institution in the Estonian language and it must contain the following data:
* the name, registration code, postal address and contacts (phone number) of a sponsor;
* the given name, surname, former names, date of birth, place of birth, sex and citizenship of a person who is invited to Estonia;
* the number and the issuing country of a travel document of a person who is invited to Estonia;
* the foreign address of a person who is invited to Estonia and the address of his/her residence during his/her stay in Estonia;
* the purpose of the visit to Estonia
* the period of validity of the visa applied for, number of allowed entries and number of days allowed to stay in Estonia;
* the consent to cover the costs related to the hosting, accommodation, stay of an alien in Estonia and his/her departure, including costs incurred in connection to possible expulsion of an alien from Estonia (such as transport costs and costs of stay in the Expulsion Centre and a detention house of the police)
* the given name and surname, personal identification code or date of birth and citizenship of a person who has signed the visa invitation, and the type and number of his/her identity document.
The visa invitation of a legal entity governed by public law must be signed by the head of the authority.
Temporary residence permit for employment
Terms
A residence permit for employment grants an alien the right to stay in Estonia for the purpose of employment according to the conditions determined by the residence permit.
A residence permit for employment is issued for a period of guaranteed employment in Estonia by an employer with a period of validity of up to two years and it can be extended for up to five years at a time.
An alien can be granted a residence permit for employment if an open competition has been carried out to staff the post and if, within two months, it has not been possible to recruit anybody through the state employment mediation service. An alien must have the qualifications, education, health, work experience, special skills and knowledge required for the job.
The Labor Market Board has to give its consent before an alien can be employed (more information: www.tta.ee).
A residence permit is issued only if the wages of an alien ensure his/her subsistence in Estonia.
The following aliens do not need the consent of the Labour Market Board or an open competition for filling a vacant position:
* clergymen, nuns and monks invited by religious associations in concordance with the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
* journalists accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
* persons who have the right, proceeding from international law, to work in Estonia without a work permit;
* teachers and academic staff to work in an educational institution which comply with the requirements established by the relevant national legislation;
* persons who come to Estonia for creative activities;
* aliens who come to Estonia to work as members of the management body of a legal entity registered in Estonia in order to perform managerial or supervisory functions;
* aliens who come to Estonia to make direct foreign investments;
* those who come to Estonia to establish the branch of a foreign company in Estonia;
* aliens who exercise the right of representation or perform managerial functions by relocation to a company which is registered in Estonia but is part of an international concern;
* sportsmen, coaches, referees or sports officials for professional activities on the basis of an invitation from a respective sports federation;
* an expert, adviser, consultant or installer of equipment or skilled worker;
* aliens who have arrived in Estonia for the implementation of an international co-operation program which is carried out with the participation of a state or local government authority;
* aliens who come to Estonia to serve in the diplomatic representation of a foreign country;
* a posted worker within the purpose of the Working Conditions of Workers who are Posted in Estonia Act.
The number of aliens who can settle in Estonia is limited. The annual immigration quota is the quota for aliens immigrating to Estonia which shall not exceed 0.05 per cent of the permanent population of Estonia annually.
The immigration quota does not apply to the following:
* aliens who are ethnic Estonians;
* citizens of the European Union, the United States of America, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Japan.
The Minister of Internal Affairs may, on a reasoned proposal of the concerned minister, exempt specific persons from the immigration quota if their arrival in Estonia is necessary in the national interests for economic, educational, scientific or cultural development.
The issue of a temporary residence permit shall be refused if:
* the conditions for granting a work permit are not fulfilled;
* the annual immigration quota for the year when the application was submitted is fulfilled;
* according to the Aliens Act an alien cannot be granted a residence permit;
* the employer has any tax arrears;
* any punishment imposed on the employer for allowing unauthorized employment has not expired;
* the employer has not complied with the obligation to inform about the changes in conditions of employment and the termination of a contract;
* there are justified reasons for doubting the trustworthiness of the employer.
During the period of validity of a residence permit an employer must inform the Citizenship and Migration Board (CMB) about changes in working conditions as determined in the residence permit and the termination of the employment contract concluded with an alien.
An alien must register his/her place of residence in Estonia in the Population Register within a month from the date of his/her arrival in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit or from the date of his/her stay in Estonia.
The employer with whom an alien who was granted a residence permit is to settle has the duties of a sponsor (he/she must incur the costs of the compulsory execution of the alien's obligation to leave and the costs related to the stay of an alien in the Expulsion Centre and a police detention house if an alien does not comply with his/her duties).
An alien who resides in Estonia on the basis of a residence permit and who wishes to stay outside of Estonia longer than 183 days a year must register his/her stay outside of Estonia at the Citizenship and Migration Board.
Documents
Upon the application for a temporary residence permit for employment the following documents must be submitted:
* The applicant presents an explanation in writing about why he/she desires to work in Estonia;
* an identity document of an applicant;
* a colored photograph sized 40x50 mm;
* a document certifying the payment of the state fee.
A sole proprietor must submit, in addition to the above mentioned documents, also a written explanation about his/her work in Estonia.
Documents added to an application which are issued abroad must be translated either into Estonian, Russian or English and the authenticity of the translation must be certified by a notary. Documents issued abroad must be legalized or confirmed by a certificate (apostille), unless otherwise stipulated by an international agreement.
Upon the extension of a residence permit the same documents must be submitted as when the issue of a residence permit was applied for. A curriculum vitae has to be submitted only if this has not been done before. Data concerning close relatives, spouse, family members and dependants must be submitted only if this data has changed after the application for a residence permit or if it has not been submitted before.
Process
If an alien wants to come to Estonia in order to work here the employer who wishes to employ him/her must apply for the consent of the Labor Market Board (LMB). It is appropriate to contact the LMB to obtain such consent two months after the public announcement of the competition for the vacancy and the search for an appropriate employee through the LMB.
As a general rule an applicant should submit his/her application for a residence permit at a representation of the Republic of Estonia. The following may apply for a temporary residence permit at the Citizenship and Migration Board:
* Estonian, his/her wife/husband and underage child;
* Estonian citizen’s wife/husband and underage child;
* for a child under twelve months, descent of a foreigner living in Estonia under residence permit;
* foreigner staying in Estonia during the activities of international cooperation program with participation of a governmental- or local government agency;
* foreigner staying in Estonia under fixed-term residence permit and applying for a new fixed-term residence permit;
* foreigner having received a permit for it from National Citizenship and Immigration Board in exceptional circumstances of his/her inability to apply for residence permit to an Estonian foreign mission due to justified reason;
* foreigner having issued a permit for it by the Minister of interior on the motivated proposal of the member of the Government of the Republic with justified reason of his/her arrival in Estonia being of national interest;
* foreigner, a citizen of the country having a visa freedom pact with Estonia or in whose case Estonia has unilaterally waived visa requirement, and wife/husband and underage child of the named foreigner;
* citizen of USA or Japan and his/her wife/husband and underage child;
* foreigner, having taken up residence in Estonia before July 1, 1990 and not left to reside in any other country after the named date and who has not been refused a residence permit or prolongation of such or whose residence permit was not declared invalid.
The decision as to whether or not to issue a temporary residence permit shall be decided
* within a period of 6 months from the date of starting the processing of the application if the immigration quota applies to the applicant;
* within a period of 3 months from the date of starting the processing of the application if the immigration quota does not applies to the applicant.
The CMB may extend the above-mentioned terms if the checking of the data and documents added to the application and the verification of whether the application is verified takes longer than foreseen for the processing of applications.
The CMB shall not review the application if an applicant has not rectified, on time, any deficiencies found in the application or documents, or has not submitted all the necessary documents.
An applicant shall be informed on the basis of contacts given in the application about the issue of a residence permit, the place of issue, the extension of the period of processing of his/her application, the refusal to process his/her application or the refusal to issue a residence permit by sending him/her a notice at the address given in the application.
An application for the extension of a temporary residence permit must be submitted to a regional department of the CMB two months before the expiry of the valid residence permit.
Work permit for an alien who stays in Estonia on the basis of a temporary residence permit
Terms
In order to work in Estonia an alien must hold a work permit. Activities as a sole proprietor, employment with an employment contract or any other contract, or any activity which may result in gaining profit or any other benefit, irrespective of the type or form of the contract, or the location or place of residence of the other party to the contract, shall be deemed to be employment, unless an international agreement stipulates otherwise.
The period of validity of your work permit cannot exceed the period of validity of your residence permit.
The following persons do not require a work permit in order to work in Estonia:
* aliens with permanent residence permits;
* aliens who have residence permits for employment;
* aliens who have applied for a residence permit before July 12, 1995 and who have obtained such a permit;
* imprisoned persons during their stay in prison;
* members of locomotive crews;
* staff serving in locomotives and trains;
* drivers for taking passengers or cargo over state borders.
A work permit shall not be issued to an alien to whom a residence permit has been issued on the condition that his or her legal income ensures his or her subsistence.
You should submit your application for a work permit personally to regional department of the Citizenship and Migration Board.
An alien who has been issued a residence permit for study may take employment in Estonia without a work permit in order to participate in practical training pursuant to the curriculum. Otherwise he/she may take employment in Estonia only on the basis of a work permit but only outside of school hours on condition that such employment does not interfere with the alien's studies. Application for work permit must be submitted to Estonian Embassy in a foreign country.
A work permit can be extended if you hold a valid residence permit or if your residence permit is extended and you have an employer at the time of the extension of your work permit.
Documents
Upon application for a work permit the following must be submitted:
* the identity document of an applicant;
* 1 colour photo (40 x 50 mm);
* a document certifying the payment of the state fee.
If an alien who has been granted a residence permit for study applies for a work permit in Estonia he/she has to submit the following documents:
* the written consent of the educational institution, where his/she studies, allowing the student to work during extracurricular hours;
* the written explanation by an applicant concerning the reasons why he/she wants to work;
* data on the place of work (data concerning the employer, registration code/Estonian personal identification code, area of activity of the employer, address of the employer, phone, fax, e-mail);
* a job description;
* data concerning the employment contract (type of contract, monthly working hours, estimated commencement of work and the date of termination of the contract, position, salary).
The written consent of an educational institution must include the following data:
* the name, registration code and address of the educational institution;
* data concerning the time and volume of classroom studies and practical training.
The consent of an educational institution issued for the application for a work permit is valid for the period of two months from the date of giving such consent.
For the extension of a work permit an alien has to submit the same documents as applying the work permit.
Process
If you hold a valid residence permit, the Citizenship and Migration Board shall make a decision as to whether to issue, or refuse to issue, a work permit during a period of one month from the date of the registration and the starting of the processing of your application.
If you apply for a work permit concurrently with a residence permit the Citizenship and Migration Board shall make a decision as to whether to issue, or refuse to issue, a work permit at the same time as making the decision as to whether to issue you or not a residence permit.
If you wish to extend your work permit you have to submit an application for the extension of your work permit at the latest two months before your valid work permit expires. You must submit your application for the extension of your work permit to regional department of the Citizenship and Migration Board. The term for the extension of a temporary residence permit shall not be restored if the residence permit has expired.
Requirements concerning legal income
The following forms of income are deemed legal:
* lawfully earned remuneration for work;
* income received from lawful business activities or property;
* pension;
* scholarships;
* alimony;
* parental benefit;
* state benefits paid by a foreign country;
* subsistence ensured by family members earning legal income.
Upon application for a residence permit you have to certify the amount of your legal income during the six months preceding the submission of the application (e.g. if you submit an application on the 14th of October, you have to certify your legal income for April, May, June, July, August and September).
The amount of the legal income will be calculated taking into account the size of the family. If the family is comprised of an applicant, his/her spouse and two children under 18 years of age, the size of the family is 4 people . The family’s income consists of the applicant's income and his/her spouse’s income (e.g. remuneration for work of both spouses, child benefits, school benefits etc.).
If you apply for a temporary residence permit on the condition that your legal income ensures your subsistence in Estonia or a temporary residence permit for business purposes your legal income during the six months preceding the submission of the application must amount to total of eighteen months average gross wages in the Republic of Estonia. The amount of required legal income derives from the average gross wages of the last quarter as established by the Statistical Office of Estonia and, therefore, changes every quarter.
How to pay a state fee
The state fee can be paid by bank transfer to the account of the Ministry of Finance (Rahandusministeerium)
Hansapank: 221023778606
SEB Eesti Ühispank: 10220034796011.
The reference number for the payment order is 2900073326.
In the box for explanation write the procedural act for which the payment is made and the name of the person for whom the payment is made.
NB! The explanation must be written in Latin alphabet.
If you pay the state fee by bank transfer you have to submit to the Citizenship and Migration Board the document certifying the payment of the state fee (an Internet printout of the payment order is also suitable) or written data concerning the payment of the state fee.
Data concerning the payment of the state fee include the following:
* the name of the person who paid the state fee;
* the name of the person on behalf of whom the state fee was paid;
* the name of the document or service for which the state fee was paid;
* the reference number;
* the date of the payment of the state fee;
* the name of the bank and the number of the account from which the payment was made;
* the name of the bank and the number of the account to which the payment was;
* the amount of the payment.
In order to pay a state fee through a bank which is located outside of Estonia you have to know the BIC i.e. SWIFT code of the bank located in Estonia, as well as the international account number (IBAN) for state fees of the Ministry of Finance.
The BIC i.e. SWIFT code of the SEB Eesti Ühispank is EEUHEE2X.
The BIC i.e. SWIFT code of the Hansapank is HABAEE2X.
The International Bank Account Numbers (IBAN) of the state fees account of the Ministry of Finance are the following:
SEB Eesti Ühispank: EE 89 1010 2200 3479 6011
Hansapank: EE 93 2200 2210 2377 8606
For more information please refer to home pages of the Hansapank or SEB Eesti Ühispank.
It is possible to pay the state fee of up to 100 kroons in cash, or any larger sum by credit card at regional departments of the CMB. The holder of a credit card has to pay the bank's service charges. Whatever the sum paid by a credit card the service charge is 3 kroons for SEB Eesti Ühispank and Hansapank. Clients of other banks have to pay an additional fee for "cross-usage" which differs according to the bank. More precise information about bank service charges is available from our regional departments.
If you are not able to pay the established state fee the Director General of the Citizenship and Migration Board, an ambassador, a consul general or a consul of the Republic of Estonia may decrease the rate of your state fee or exempt you from paying it. For this you have to submit an application which must include the following:
· the first name and surname, date and place of birth, place of residence, the amount and sources of monthly income and the number of dependants of the person who has to pay the state fee;
· the name of process for which the reduction or exemption of the state fee is applied for;
· reason for the application.
The documents that certify the reasonability of the application must be added to the application form.
